Snow and winter driving

Extreme weather and poor light can make driving dangerous in the winter months.

Winter driving tips

• Check the weather and avoid unnecessary travel in heavy rain, hail or sleet.
• Check your vehicle’s tyres, windscreen wipers, battery, lights and brakes before travelling.
• Always accelerate smoothly and brake gently, as wet and greasy roads can cause vehicles to slip and slide.
• If you start to lose visibility of the edges of the road, find somewhere safe to pull over.
• Keep a safe distance to the vehicle in front. Stopping distances are longer in the rain.
• Turn on your headlights so you are more visible to other road users.
• In foggy or snowy conditions, use fog lights instead of headlights on high beam. If you don’t have fog lights, turn on your hazard lights with your headlights on low beam.
• Beware of water on the road and avoid large puddles. Never drive through floodwater - it’s extremely dangerous.
• Driving in poor weather can be especially tiring. If you’re travelling long distances, remember to take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.  

Icy roads

Beware of black ice

Black ice - sometimes called ‘clear ice’ - is a thin layer of ice that is often transparent. It usually forms on roads and sidewalks at night, early in the morning, or on sections that haven’t been exposed to sunlight e.g. under tree cover.

You can’t see black ice but it can cause you to lose control of your vehicle if you drive over it. 

Staying safe on icy roads

• Plan ahead and check for black ice warnings on VicTraffic.
• If possible, delay your trip to avoid icy conditions. If you have to drive, allow plenty of time and drive carefully.
• If possible, use a car equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
• Braking takes longer in icy conditions, so always keep a safe distance to the vehicle in front. 

If you hit black ice, you might have little or no control over your vehicle. If this happens:

• Remain calm and use the accelerator, brake and steering as little as possible, until you clear the patch of ice.
• Avoid accelerating, braking hard, turning the steering wheel quickly or steering in the opposite direction. Those actions increase your risk of spinning out of control. 

Snow

Driving in snowy conditions requires a lot of concentration and patience. If you’re driving to a ski resort, plan ahead and stay calm if you’re stuck in a long queue. Always follow the road signs and directions by resort staff.  

Before you drive

• Plan ahead and check the road conditions on VicTraffic.
• Make sure your vehicle’s battery and air conditioning system are in good condition.
• Use engine coolant (also called ‘antifreeze’) in your vehicle’s radiator. Consult your vehicle’s manual to understand how to do it.
• Pack your sunglasses for snow glare.
• If you have a diesel vehicle, use alpine diesel mix (available at service stations in the alpine area). 

While you're driving

• Always drive with two hands on the wheel and steady pressure on the accelerator.
• Brake gently with steady pressure. Avoid braking when taking corners.
• Fit chains to your tyres when advised, or if the road looks icy. Always check the road signs.  
• If you hit ice, remain calm and apply the brakes gently to slowly regain traction.
• At night, only use low beam lights. High beams don’t work in areas with lots of fog or mist.
• If you can’t see, pull over and put your hazard lights on. Keep your engine running. 
• Engage a low gear when you drive down a mountain.

Parking in the snow

• Only park in designated parking areas or as directed by resort staff.
• Park as close to the side of the road as possible, to leave room for two-way traffic.
• Reverse into a car park or make sure you can drive out forward. It’s dangerous to reverse out of car parks when there’s poor vision.
• Position your front wheels turned away from the slope.
• If you have a manual vehicle, ensure you leave it in first gear while parked.
• Put your wiper blades up to avoid them freezing to the windscreen. 

Using snow chains

Snow chains (also called ‘wheel chains’) are designed to increase the stability and traction of the wheels of the vehicle on roads that are affected by snow or ice.

When driving in snow fields and alpine regions, drivers should always carry snow chains and put them on when directed.  

Rules for snow chains

The rules for snow chains are published in Part 3, Division 2 (Wheel chains in alpine resorts)of the Alpine Resorts (Management) Regulations 2020. 

If you drive to an alpine resort during the snow season, you must carry snow chains at all times. The snow chains must be properly fitted to the drive wheels of that vehicle. In the case of four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles, it can be fitted to the front or rear wheels of that vehicle.

An authorised officer or resort staff may ask you to fit your snow chains to your vehicle. Follow signs for directions.

You may be fined if you ignore the law. 

Tips for fitting snow chains

• Practice fitting chains before a trip.  
• Use diamond-pattern snow chains.  
• Make sure your tyres are in good condition with minimal wear.
• Check your manufacturer’s guidelines when fitting chains. Fit them to the driving wheels.
• Carry a torch, plastic garbage bag and gloves to make fitting easier.
• Fit chains at fitting bays on level ground.
• For better control of your vehicle and to prevent damaging the chains, drive at a lower speed and avoid sudden acceleration or braking.
• If chains fall off or get loose while a vehicle is in motion, stop and check for damage before re-fitting.
• If you’re visiting a ski resort, visit their website for more information on snow chain requirements. 

For more information, visit the SnowSafe website.