How to avoid getting your car stuck on snowy roads this winter
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Heavy snowfall during the opening weekend of Australia's ski season has led to multiple emergency rescues as people became trapped in their cars.
In Victoria alone, about 20 people had to be rescued from vehicles on alpine roads.
With winter only just beginning, authorities are urging drivers to prepare for alpine conditions and understand what to do if they get stuck in the snow.
Across the border in New South Wales, search crews spent more than 20 hours rescuing two bushwalkers stranded in blizzard conditions near Mount Kosciuszko.
Police continue to respond to the ongoing snow conditions at Mount Hotham, with a rescue of two hikers also underway on the Wonnangatta walking track.
Bright SES unit controller Graham Gales said the main cause of people getting stuck in the snow was not carrying chains.
"They didn't consider chains or didn't know how to fit them properly," Mr Gales said.
"Some inexperienced drivers there, some people who hadn't checked the weather forecast and gone in ill-prepared for even light snow."
Victoria Police Eastern Region Division Four Superintendent Joy Arbuthnot said police turned back 14 drivers a day at Mt Hotham last season because they did not have snow chains.
"That's not just a statistic, it's almost 1,500 drivers who put themselves, their passengers, and others on the road at serious risk," Superintendent Arbuthnot said.
"Without snow chains, your car simply won't grip on icy roads.
"We've seen cars slide off the edge of mountainsides, families stranded in dangerous conditions, and collisions that could have been avoided."
"There are also issues with diesel engines that will freeze up … and not be able to start," he said.
"You've got to be able to get in and locate those people and get them out."
Snow-goers have been warned to obey road closure signs to allow emergency services to continue their search of the area and identify whether any more people require rescue.
At Harrietville, members of Highway Patrol are understood to be travelling in the region, warning people they will be fined if they have snow on the roof or windshield of cars that could fall off and pose a danger to other drivers.
Failure to carry them can result in a $395 fine and a $988 fine for not fitting them when directed.
These rules differ in NSW, where 4WD and AWD vehicles do not require chains to enter the Kosciuszko National Park, but all 2WD vehicles must carry snow chains.
According to The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), preparing your car before heading to the snow is paramount.
The RACV's advice to drivers includes:
It recommends drivers who are stuck do not spin their wheels or rev the vehicle as this will dig the car further into the snow.
Instead, drivers should put the vehicle into as high a gear as possible and slowly manoeuvre forwards and backwards to gently creep out.
When parking a vehicle, Transport Victoria recommends positioning the front wheels away from the slope, engaging manual vehicles in first gear, and lifting the wiper blades up to avoid them freezing onto the windscreen.
By Madeleine Stuchbery
In Victoria alone, about 20 people had to be rescued from vehicles on alpine roads.
With winter only just beginning, authorities are urging drivers to prepare for alpine conditions and understand what to do if they get stuck in the snow.
Snow chains needed
Gippsland emergency services responded to calls of people trapped in vehicles after becoming stuck in heavy snow on Mount Hotham on Saturday.Across the border in New South Wales, search crews spent more than 20 hours rescuing two bushwalkers stranded in blizzard conditions near Mount Kosciuszko.
A vehicle turned over in the snow at Victoria's Blue Rag Range Track. (Supplied: John Wright)
Police continue to respond to the ongoing snow conditions at Mount Hotham, with a rescue of two hikers also underway on the Wonnangatta walking track.
Bright SES unit controller Graham Gales said the main cause of people getting stuck in the snow was not carrying chains.
"They didn't consider chains or didn't know how to fit them properly," Mr Gales said.
"Some inexperienced drivers there, some people who hadn't checked the weather forecast and gone in ill-prepared for even light snow."
Victoria Police Eastern Region Division Four Superintendent Joy Arbuthnot said police turned back 14 drivers a day at Mt Hotham last season because they did not have snow chains.
About 20 people were trapped in vehicles during the long weekend in Victoria's alpine region after heavy snowfall. (Supplied)
"That's not just a statistic, it's almost 1,500 drivers who put themselves, their passengers, and others on the road at serious risk," Superintendent Arbuthnot said.
"Without snow chains, your car simply won't grip on icy roads.
"We've seen cars slide off the edge of mountainsides, families stranded in dangerous conditions, and collisions that could have been avoided."
Stay warm if stuck
Mr Gales recommended passengers trapped in stuck vehicles reach for any warm camping gear on hand, such as sleeping bags, and preserve fuel."There are also issues with diesel engines that will freeze up … and not be able to start," he said.
"You've got to be able to get in and locate those people and get them out."
A truck carrying hay had to navigate snowy conditions. (Supplied: Mark Cox Fieldsons Contracting)
Snow-goers have been warned to obey road closure signs to allow emergency services to continue their search of the area and identify whether any more people require rescue.
At Harrietville, members of Highway Patrol are understood to be travelling in the region, warning people they will be fined if they have snow on the roof or windshield of cars that could fall off and pose a danger to other drivers.
Preparation is key
In Victoria, all vehicles travelling to alpine regions during the declared snow season must carry wheel chains and fit them when instructed.Failure to carry them can result in a $395 fine and a $988 fine for not fitting them when directed.
These rules differ in NSW, where 4WD and AWD vehicles do not require chains to enter the Kosciuszko National Park, but all 2WD vehicles must carry snow chains.
According to The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), preparing your car before heading to the snow is paramount.
The RACV's advice to drivers includes:
- Get your car serviced before setting off
- Have anti-freeze for your radiator
- Diesel vehicles should fill up with alpine diesel mix prior to driving in snow
- Pack sunglasses to avoid snow glare
- Pack a car safety and emergency kit for your car, including a mobile phone charger, water, non-perishable food, a torch with batteries, jumper leads, a high-vis vest, a spare tyre, and a first aid kit
It recommends drivers who are stuck do not spin their wheels or rev the vehicle as this will dig the car further into the snow.
When parking a vehicle, Transport Victoria recommends positioning the front wheels away from the slope, engaging manual vehicles in first gear, and lifting the wiper blades up to avoid them freezing onto the windscreen.
By Madeleine Stuchbery
