Put Road Safety First This Winter

Well our first bout of snow for the official winter season graced us early this afternoon and with that came a certain degree of chaos!

This afternoon, several motorists encountered a challenging situation on the snowy Bogong High Plains road. Unfortunately, some found themselves stranded without snow chains, while others ended up on the wrong side of a ditch. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers associated with driving on snow and ice.

It is crucial for every driver to recognize that weather events like these can occur unexpectedly, and therefore, it is imperative to remain prepared and to stay well-informed before embarking on your mountain adventure. By being proactive and taking necessary precautions, you can significantly mitigate the risks associated with driving in wintry conditions. Always prioritize your safety and the safety of others on the road when venturing into mountainous areas.

This year Roadsafe North East is urging motorists to show patience and give space to others, when driving on Alpine roads, as part of its SnowSafe Driving initiative. “Driving on snow and ice-covered roads can be challenging, even for the most experienced drivers in the best-prepared vehicles. Both ice and snow reduce the amount of traction you have, making it harder to get moving, steer, and stop. Using your head and not your foot when driving on alpine roads, is the key to safe driving,” said Roadsafe North East Spokesperson John Weinhert. Below are some vital tips in preparing for your trip to the mountains.

1. Before you hit the road, do a thorough check of your vehicle. Check your tires, battery, brakes, engine and windscreen wipers are all in working order. Carry a shovel and a windscreen scraper in your vehicle to help you get back on the road quick smart.
2. Carry Chains and ensure you know how to fit them. It is worth packing a pair of gloves and a torch to help you fit them.
3. Fill up with Alpine Diesel if you drive a diesel car. You can find alpine diesel in Tawonga South, Mount Beauty, Bright and Myrtleford.
4. Take it slow! Avoid sudden braking or acceleration on snow and ice and leave plenty of room in front of you. Take corners very slowly.
5. Before you leave the mountain ensure you remove all snow from your vehicle as it can fall onto your windscreen if not removed and block your vision. You can also cop a hefty fine if caught driving with snow on your roof.
6. When driving down the mountain, if the road is snowy engage low gear, drive slowly and do NOT use cruise control.
7. Always check the road conditions at fallscreek.com.au/snowreport/ or on the Vic Traffic App before you travel to ensure you are prepared.
8. Remove puffy jackets from children in car seats. A thick jacket can loosen the seats harness and risk the child sliding out.

For more SnowSafe driving tips head to fallscreek.com.au/snow-safe-driving/ or print out the SnowSafe Fact Sheet and keep it in your car for reference.