Police crackdown on motorists heading to the snow

Police have detected over 200 offences last weekend during a major road policing operation targeting motorists heading to Victoria’s alpine areas.

Operation Eastern Snow has seen police highly visible and enforcing, with a particular focus on roads heading to and from snowfields including Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.

Buses and heavy vehicles are a major focus during the operation, with police working alongside the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to intercept vehicles at designated checkpoints and conducting safety compliance checks.

Last weekend police detected 213 offences over a three-day period, including:

• 142 speeding offences
• 27 unregistered vehicles
• 21 defect notices issued to unsafe vehicles
• 13 heavy vehicle offences
• 9 seatbelt offences
• 9 disqualified/suspended and unlicenced drivers
• 3 drug driving offences from 48 roadside drug tests
• 1 drink driving offence from 1346 preliminary breath tests

With the operation set to continue throughout the remainder of the snow season, police are reminding all motorists travelling to the snowfields to drive to the conditions – slow down, remain alert on unfamiliar roads and allow plenty of extra travel time, especially during busy periods.

All vehicles entering alpine areas during the declared snow season are required by law to carry wheel chains and fit them when instructed. Failure to carry chains may result in a $418 fine, while failing to fit them when required may attract a $1046 penalty.

Car snow chains are essential for navigating steep, icy roads and can be the difference between staying on the road or sliding off it.

Police are also asking motorists to check and remove snow from their vehicles before departing the snowfields, to avoid it being dislodged while moving and creating dangerous driving conditions for other road users or potentially impacting driver’s visibility.

Operation Eastern Snow will continue throughout the Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham areas during August.

Quotes attributable to Eastern Region Road Policing Inspector, Jarrad Dowswell:

“It’s extremely disappointing that we’ve seen such high levels of noncompliance by motorists travelling to and from the state’s alpine areas.

“These roads can be particularly treacherous when impacted by ice and snow, yet we’ve caught a significant number of motorists speeding and engaging in dangerous driving behaviours.

“We’re urging all visitors to the snow to prioritise planning their journey – this includes ensuring your vehicle is in good working condition and is equipped with snow chains, and that you’re sticking to the speed limit and taking regular breaks when driving to manage fatigue.

“Operation Eastern Snow will continue over the coming weeks as the snow season ramps up during August, with police highly visible and enforcing on roads heading to and from Victorian snowfields.

“We’ll be focused on targeting those behaviours that puts all road users at risk, including speeding, dangerous overtaking and impaired driving.”

Media Unit

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