Safety tips for snow lovers

NRMA Motoring & Services is encouraging motorists to take extra care this ski season when driving in snowy conditions to avoid being involved in a crash.

"People driving to snow and ice-affected areas in the Snowy Mountains, need to know that the roads are notoriously foggy, icy and slippery," NRMA Director and professional rally car navigator, Coral Taylor said today.

"Many crashes occur because drivers lack key driving skills. The Australian climate doesn't give us much opportunity to practice driving in icy or snowy conditions". 

NRMA's safer driving tips include:

• Speed - it's imperative you adjust your speed to suit the weather and road conditions.
• Orange snow poles and road edges - don't drive if you can't see them.
• Animals - keep a watch for wildlife on the road, especially slow-moving wombats. 
• Snow Chains - carry them in the car and practice putting them on your car. How do you put them on?
• Headlights - keep them on at all times so your vehicle is visible and don't forget to turn them off when you park.
• Allow greater distance between vehicles, braking distance increases substantially on slippery roads.
• Brake and accelerate gently to avoid skidding and slipping.
• Fog lights - use them if you have them in snowy conditions.

Ms Taylor said motorists driving to the snow should also prepare their vehicle before leaving for the snow.

"The NRMA encourages motorists to have their vehicle thoroughly checked before departing for the Snowy Mountains," Ms Taylor said.

NRMA's simple vehicle maintenance checks can save you time and money:

• Ensure tyres, battery, brakes, windscreen, engine and cooling system are in good working order.
• Always add anti-freeze to your engine radiator to avoid engine coolant freezing. Forgetting anti-freeze can leave you stranded with a cracked radiator and an expensive repair bill.
• When parked 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 to ensure your car is still there when you return from a day on the slopes.
• Make sure windscreen wipers are lifted or place them in a plastic bag so they don't stick to the glass.
• Warm the vehicle's engine before heading off and clear ice from all glass and mirrors BUT don't use hot water - it can break the windscreen.

"While it may seem like there are lots of do's and don't's, when taking a vehicle to the snow, it's worthwhile keeping in mind you want great memories of your trip, not a crash or an expensive repair bill." Ms Taylor said.