Snowy Monaro Regional Council's commitment to road safety is continual, with the running of various initiatives to assist in the education of road user groups. These initiatives may include: speed display signs, banners, pamphlets and community bill board promotion, social media and media releases, voluntary breathe-testing at various events with the use of the Plan B trailer and general road safety promotion at special events.
You may notice these LED readout speed signs strategically located around our region. These signs are a way of engaging drivers to check their speed compliance within certain speed zones.
Speed display signs are generally used in high pedestrian areas.
The speed signs collect data, on the number of vehicles, the speed the vehicles are travelling at and whether the vehicle slows down when seeing the display.
This data can then be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the speed display sign and communicated to Police if further enforcement may be required in this area.
Previous data shows that when drivers see the speed display they often reduce their speed to well below the speed limit.
These speed display signs do not record vehicle identity or used for the purpose of issuing speed infringements.
For more information on Road Safety and Transport for NSW initiatives visit the Centre for Road Safety website:
www.roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au
The Snowy Monaro Local Traffic Committee (LTC) meets bi-monthly to consider traffic issues. It consists of representatives of Council, the RMS, police and a representative of the Local Member for Monaro.
If you wish to raise a matter with the committee please contact Council.
Our region is one of the few places in Australia where snow is likely to fall across roads and highways. Heavy frosts, black ice and foggy conditions are also very common. If you're not used to driving through snow country in winter, you'll find the biggest dangers are unpredictable weather conditions and unprepared vehicles. Road conditions can vary from flat and easy to narrow, winding, steep and slippery. Taking some simple precautions when driving will help to minimise accidents and damage.
Council collaborates with various stakeholders each year to ensure the travelling safely in the snow message reaches audiences far and wide. We also work hard to ensure fatigue is managed on the long journey to the snow fields and urge you to test your tired self.
Our tips for travelling safely in the Snowy Mountains
- Ensure your car has appropriate antifreeze, coolants and is in good working order. Speak to your local mechanic if you are unsure.
- Drive with your lights on low beam, even during the day so that you can been seen and see hazards.
- Check the weather conditions before you leave. Listen to Live Traffic Updates.
- Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Traffic may be heavy or the roads icy and dangerous. Be patient with the seasonal traffic and only overtake when it is safe to do so. You can plan your trip by visiting the NSW Rest Area Map.
- Leave a safe travelling distance from other cars. Sudden breaking, icy roads and wild life are frequent occurrences on Alpine Roads
- While Snow Chains are generally only required in National Parks, sometimes roads outside of these locations may require chains. RMS road safety will determine the need for chains however it’s a good idea to carry them and know how to confidently fit them if required. Chains are a requirement for 2 wheel drive cars. 4 wheel drive cars are currently exempt however this may change upon review.
- Park with your car in gear and wheels turned away from a slope.
Visit the Transport for NSW website for more information about driving in the Snowy Mountains region.
The main rule for winter driving is to be cautious and alert!
What's the best way to slow down in the snow?
If you're not used to driving through snow country in winter, you'll find the biggest dangers are unpredictable weather conditions and unprepared vehicles. Road conditions can vary from flat and easy to narrow, winding, steep and slippery.
The main rule for winter driving is to slow down and pull over when it’s too unsafe to drive. You can find out more on driving in the snow by visiting the useful links below.
Should I carry snow chains?
When travelling in the Snowy Mountains National Park and other snow affected areas, snow chains must be carried. Four-wheel drives (including all wheel drive vehicles) are exempt from fitting chains. Authorities require they be fitted when conditions demand, so check chains are not damaged or have parts missing and practise fitting chains before you travel.
It's too late to learn at the roadside in a blizzard or freezing rain. Make sure chains are packed for easy access. You can hire snow chains from various outlets around snowfields. When the chains are on, drive slowly to avoid tyre damage and remove them at the first opportunity but remember, it's better to fit chains too early than too late. NRMA members can receive up to a 10% discount on snow chains at Repco.
How do I fit snow chains?
You only have to fit chains to two driving wheels: front wheel drive vehicles, fit to front wheels; rear wheel drive vehicles, fit to rear wheels; and four wheel drive vehicles if using chains, fit to front wheels. For all wheel drive vehicles refer to the owner's manual. When fitting chains, pull off to the left of the road as far as possible. Use a chain fitting bay or choose a straight, clear stretch of road where you can be seen from a distance.
Never stop on the crest of a hill. Do not use a jack to lift a vehicle to put on snow chains as in icy conditions, your car might slide off the jack. All snow chains can be fitted without the need to lift the vehicle.
Make sure inner and outer hooks are securely fastened. Tie loose ends of the chains down to prevent damage to mudguards.
Which roads have snow-ice risk sections?
All 2WD vehicles will need to carry snow chains between 1 June and 11 October on the following roads:
- Kosciuszko Road from the park boundary at Thredbo River.
- Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin.
- Island Bend/Guthega Road for its full length.
- Snow chains are also recommended on Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo, and on Snowy Mountains Highway.
The road from Khancoban to Cabramurra and many of Kosciuszko National Park's minor roads are closed in winter.
Snow chains are not compulsory for 4WD and AWD vehicles but we recommended you carry them during winter. Especially if you're not used to driving on alpine roads affected by snow and ice.
Brakes and steering checks before heading off?
Brakes, steering and suspension are critical for the safe handling of a car in slippery conditions. Check there is ample pad material and beware of uneven braking from side to side or a tendency for the rear wheels to skid. Faulty brakes can easily cause a car to slide off the road or collide with others. If your car is a late model fitted with anti-locking brakes, have the system checked thoroughly and know how they operate.
Do I need special tyres?
Tyres need to have plenty of tread depth to grip the surface and break through any thin ice on the roads. If frequent snow travel is intended, a set of winter tyres with an aggressive tread pattern is a good investment in safety. NRMA members enjoy 10% off all full priced Dunlop, Goodyear and Sava tyres at Beaurepaires.
Check tyres for damage such as cuts, bubbles in the side walls or scuffing. If tread wear is uneven or near the minimum legal limit, have them replaced and the wheel alignment checked. Cars are usually heavily loaded on skiing trips, so increase the tyre pressure to the car manufacturer's recommended maximum, listed on the tyre placard or in the owner's handbook. How do I prevent the windscreen fogging up?
Good vision from the car is paramount, so renew windscreen wipers well in advance to allow them to "bed-in". Check the air conditioning (ac) system is working properly before leaving and use ac to demist the windscreen. Cool air flow to the face helps keep you alert when travelling in a warm car. Do not, however, use the air conditioning to extend your driving times beyond sensible rest periods.
Take a ten minute break every two hours.
How should I prepare the engine?
Make sure the engine is well tuned. Electrical systems are particularly vulnerable in cold conditions, with your chance of breakdown doubling, so have an automotive electrician check the system fully.
You will need anti-freeze in the cooling system. Follow the manufacturer's directions or ask at the retail outlet for advice on mixing techniques and the quantity to use. Coolant should contain corrosion inhibitors as well as anti-freeze compound, as recommended by the car manufacturer.
Some older cooling systems may develop leaks soon after replacement of the coolant due to the penetrating properties of the anti-freeze liquid. Have the anti-freeze treatment done in advance so that any problems can be fixed without ruining your holiday schedule.
If you don't use anti-freeze, you will have to drain the radiator each night and refill it before starting in the morning. Leave the engine running while you empty the radiator to make sure that any water flowing through the engine drains away, but be careful that it doesn't overheat. Cars fitted with heaters that can't be drained will need anti-freeze.
What lights do I need?
Check all lights - low and high beams, tail stop, reversing and driving lights. Yellow tinted fog lights can assist in misty conditions. These should be mounted low, near the road surface and not focussed high. High beam will cause a "white out" effect in fog so use low beam only.
Also check interior and map lights are working and take along a powerful flash light or spot light for reading sign posts and recognising landmarks in unfamiliar territory.
How to avoid damage if leaving car in the open overnight?
Park it in gear with the wheels chocked. Don't use the handbrake as it could freeze in the engaged position. You'll have to use anti-freeze in order to avoid serious damage to the car's engine and cooling system.
You should also lift wipers from the screen. Warm water may be used to remove ice from the windscreen and windows. Never use hot water as it may cause the windscreen to crack.
How can I find out about road conditions?
Brush up on your road rule knowledge by viewing the top ten misunderstood road rules animations.
The animations outline some of the rules the NSW community have said they need more clarification on, like mobile phone laws, roundabout rules and how and why we enforce in school zones.
Road safety largely depends on road users being able to understand and follow the road rules, so share the animation links with your friends and colleagues and refresh your memory!
For more information on road rules download the Top 10 misunderstood road rules in NSW guide http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au or visit http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au or http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au
Road rules: safe distance
Road rules: yellow lights