You make a very valid point about them needing the experience in order to gain the experience.  I think an Advance Driver Education course will benefit your son.  In Australia, these courses are readily available through driving shcools or the local Road  and Traffic Authorities (RTA).  I would assume that it would be the same in other countries as well.

Your sons confidence (and your partners and yours) will have taken a beating, which isn;t as easy to get fixed.  He needs to get out there again asap, with a professional driving instructor to minimize stress to you, him and your partner!

 Sorry this happened and hope the accident doesn't put your son off from driving. I believe driving skills come from driving under all conditions, it is the only way to get experience...unless you want to send him to a advance driving course.

hi,

I think that it is important to learn how to drive in all conditions.  However, the safer option would be to do a bit of training before allowing him out on the road.  My dad took me to a big parking lot after a nice sheet of ice fell.  He had me stop and start, swirve and turn in cirlcle. 

It was a great 3 years after that that I used some of those skills in a real life situation.  But, it saved my life, and possibly my passangers and the driver of the a car coming at us.  He was out of control.  but with my understanding of what to do my muscles just took over and we got out of the way even with out car slipping and sliding.

Practice makes perfect

honestly there are 2 things. 1 ADVANCE DRIVERS TRAINING. in Perth when I looked it up it was a weekend cource and was $200 something. this mainly covers insurance. it is well worth it if they dont feel confident enough to drive. 2nd is get them a old car like a Carolla (BTW I am not saying a carolla cause I am afflieated with a group, they are a great car that is EASY TO FIX) they can be picked up for $200 in most places and the rego is cheapa nd u only need 3rd party insurance on them.

U said that u would of lost control as well in the same spot so tbh i wouldnt be making a deal of it.

All ppl who have just got their licence should be able to drive in all weather conditions and they should not be speeding either. (thus a good old car is good as they mostly are not powerful (unless the ppl know what they are doing and can modify it)

It is probably a bit late for you to say this, however learner drivers should practice in all conditions, day and night prior to going for their licence.  This isn't always practical and I agree, if you think you probably would have had the same accident, then you are obviously confident that your son has a good attitude to driving, (which is about 90% of the battle I think).

You were with him, so I don't think it was irresponsible, he needs to get the experience sometime and side by side with a parent or other sensible supervisor is the best way.  Imagine how much worse it could have been if he were alone and had never driven in those conditions before.  There is always a risk when you drive a car, the idea is to minimise the risks... Experience and a good attitude are things that can only be learned hands on, good on you for believing in him and I hope you are both ok after your experience.

Look into an advance driving course for him. Theyteach them about things like weather and how to handle the car on dirt roads. THere is a scheme I have heard of where people are put in a car and the examiner has a remte control and  they make the car do things you dont want it to do to see how you go then they teach you how to deal with these situatuins. Contact your motor transport association and see if they can help you find something.

I would suggest that you just monitor the pre-driving healthy habits. the little things we should all do- like check the highway hotline for road conditions before we go out (and be thankful that even dirt roads are on the list- at least out west here anyways), make sure to brush the snow off all the windows, the headlights and the liscence plate before you go (and wash the mud off in the summer time, lol!), and generally make sure your prepared. And little safety things, like to not drive really tired or emotional.

All drivers have to learn by experience- I sure did, and i was 22 when I got mine. But teens can be a little more emotional and impulsive, and those don't go well with driving. But waiting 10 years wouldn't help either- as they age they'll be less likely to ask for help!

you did the right thing, and the best thing is for him to get back on the road. The best thing is more of what bit you! Especially in our beautifully large country where there is little to do but drive!

I have three children that have been through the driving experiences and I still dread it every time they go out in the car, but I think, like you that if  an accident is going to happen it could just as easily happen to me when I am driving as to them. I hope that they  use the common sense we give them and drive carefully and safely .  I think that experience is the best teacher and we can only give advice ( and in my case hold my breath) until the phone call comes "mum I got there ok",  I know its not much help but it has got me through.

I think that you did the right thing by letting him drive in those conditions.  He does require the experince, better that he was driving with you and not alone when it happened.

My brother had a similar accident alone after not having the experince, and lost control on a loose gravel road.

Good on you for giving him the time to learn.