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Chill Out, Slow Down And Take A Break This Snow Season


Chill Out, Slow Down And Take A Break This Snow Season

Author: NRMA Motoring & ServicesDate: 15 September 2009

NRMA Motoring & Services is kicking off its 2009 winter driving campaign with a message for drivers to take special care in snowy conditions this snow season.
NRMA's road safety Mobile Member Centre will be in Thredbo Village car park from this Friday 5 June until Monday 8 June to educate snow-goers on how to stay safe on winter roads.

NRMA Director Coral Taylor, an expert rally car driver, said icy roads were treacherous for unprepared drivers.

"People driving to snow and ice-affected areas in NSW's Snowy Mountains need to know that the roads are notoriously foggy, icy and slippery," Ms Taylor said.

"Driving in icy, snowing conditions can expose drivers to safety challenges that many have never experienced on Australian roads before.

"Lack of key driving skills, inexperience, fatigue, drugs and alcohol can quickly turn a fun skiing or snowboarding weekend into a disaster."

'Chill Out, Slow Down and Take a Break' is the NRMA's message for drivers this snow season. Its 2009 winter survival guide will be distributed to Thredbo visitors throughout the weekend and lists a range of winter driving safety tips including:

  • Have your vehicle thoroughly checked before any trip to the snow.
  • Avoid driver fatigue by sharing the driving load or taking a rest break every two hours.
  • Don't drink and drive and be very sure that your blood alcohol level has had enough time to reach acceptable limits if you are driving the next morning.
  • Keep headlights turned on at all times to increase visibility to other drivers.
  • Keep snow chains in the car and practice putting them on.
  • Longer braking distances are necessary on slippery roads.
  • When parking at the snow, don't apply the handbrake, chock the wheels, leave the car in gear and turn the front wheels away from the slope.

"Commonsense and awareness of winter driving safety hazards go a long way in preventing a crash or expensive repair bills." Ms Taylor said.

NRMA's Road Safety Mobile Member Centre will be handing out packs with tips for visitors travelling to the snow in Thredbo Village Car park from Friday 5 to Monday 8 June 2009. There will also be giveaways from NRMA Safer Driving School & NRMA Batteries.

For more information on how to prepare your car and stay safe on the road this snow season click here.

Contact Kimberly Rigby 0439 133 215

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