Chill out, slow down, take a break

Stay fresh and prepare yourself for your drive to the snow

Tips to avoid driver fatigue

• Plan your trip. Include a break at least every 2 hours
• Get a good night's sleep before commencing a long trip
• Try not to drive at times when you'd normally be asleep
• Avoid long drives after work
• Share the driving whenever possible
• Pull over and stop if you feel drowsy, or you're losing concentration.
  

Safe driving tips

• Watch your speed - adjust speed for the weather and road conditions
• Use fog or headlights - it's safer to drive with your lights on - see and be seen
• Snow poles and road edges - don't drive if you can't see the edge of the road or the next snow pole. These poles are painted orange and help you get your bearings in the snow.

Operation Snowsafe - conducted by Police & the RTA targets speeding, drink driving & seatbelt offences.

Plan to party…plan not to drive

Enjoy the slopes and get yourself, your mates and family home safely.

Partying while at the snow is fine. If you want to have good time don't spoil it by driving under the influence. The Police will be out on the roads Random Breath Testing and with their Drug Bus so if you plan to party ... plan not to drive!   

                                            

Driving the day after a big night out

Deciding whether to drive the day after a 'big night out'?

Here's some tips:

• The more you drink, the longer it takes for your blood alcohol  concentration (BAC) to return to zero.
• The only thing which will lower your blood alcohol content is giving your body enough time to eliminate the alcohol - sleep, a shower, throwing up or coffee will not. If you have a huge night out, you are likely to be over the legal limit to drive the  next day
• Police conduct Random Breath and drug tests day and night. Many people are caught drink driving in the mornings while staying in the snowy mountains
• It is an offence to drive after using illegal drugs. This is because all drugs, including alcohol, affect your ability to make good decisions, and to react quickly in an emergency driving situation
• Your chances of causing a crash are significantly increased if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  

Snow Information

Travel times to and from the snow can be extended by heavy traffic or poor weather conditions so it's a good idea to make a few calls or check the internet before leaving.

Weather information 

• Phone (02) 6450 5551
• Snowy Mountains 
• Ski.com.au 
• Bureau of Meteorology
• Koscuiskzo National Park 

Traffic delay information  

• RTA

Road conditions
Before you set off, get road condition information. If it's dark when you arrive, a simple map or instructions could advise where to watch for black ice, if you need to fit snow chains or where chain fitting bays are located.

Stay updated

Tune in to local radio stations on the hour as snow and traffic reports are often presented directly before or after the news.

Snow FM		Radio 2XL
97.7 FM	Cooma	918 AM	Cooma
94.7 FM	Jindabyne	96.3 FM	Jindabyne
92.9 FM	Thredbo	92.1 FM	Thredbo
101.9 FM	Perisher	98.7 FM	Perisher

Car stuff

• Prepare your car
  • Snow field conditions can highlight minor faults especially in car electrics - so it is essential to thoroughly check your vehicle before leaving
  • Have your tyres, battery, electrical system brakes, cooling system, engine and windscreen inspected
  • Make sure your cooling system is checked to see that it contains antifreeze.

• Car care at the snow
  • Parking. Park only in the designated parking areas and follow the directions of parking attendants. If you don't, your car could be damaged by snow clearing vehicles.
  • Don't apply the handbrake. Moisture can freeze cables and brake linings. Instead, chock the wheels, but don't use rocks as they may damage snow clearing machines. Leave the car in gear with the front wheels turned away from the slope.
  • Protect your wipers. Lift wipers off your windscreen or place them in plastic bags so they won’t stick to the glass.
  • Apply your chains. Even if chains were not required to enter the area, it may be advisable to fit them when parking on arrival.
  • Clear ice from windows and mirrors before attempting to drive away from snowfields. Use the vehicle's heater and fan in conjunction with the airconditioner.
  • Warm your engine for a few minutes before driving off.
    
    
• Most common breakdown?
  The most common cause of a breakdown at the snow is battery failure, so don't risk it!
  
  
• Snow chains
  When driving in the Snowy Mountains National Park and other snow affected areas, snow chains must be carried. (4WD's, including SUVs and all-wheel drive vehicles are exempt from fitting chains).
  
  Authorities require snow chains be fitted when conditions demand, so check chains.
  
  
• Snow chain bays
  In the Alpine Region possible snow and ice risk sections are identified with yellow lane line marking and signposting. Its recommended that all vehicles carry chains in these areas:
  • Kosciuszko Road at:
    1. Sawpit Creek
    2. Wilsons Valley
    3. Dainers
    4. Prussian Creek
  • Alpine Way at:
    1. Penderlea
    2. Thredbo Diggings
    3. Ranger Station