Black ice: Whittlesea, Nillumbik roads to watch in winter weather
Black ice is a constant threat on roads in winter, but it’s almost invisible to drivers. Now police in Melbourne’s north have released a list of high-risk routes and tips on driving safely.
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Black ice can turn five major routes across Nillumbik and Whittlesea into “skating rinks” at anytime during winter, worried police say.
And with temperatures set to drop below freezing at the end of this week across Melbourne’s outer north, Greensborough Highway Patrol and Whittlesea police have warned drivers to be extra cautious on the following roads:
Whittlesea-Yea Rd
Wallan-Whittlesea Rd
Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd
Whittlesea-Kinglake Rd
Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd
“We’ve seen these roads become skating rinks in winter, so we really want people to take extra care and drive to the conditions,” Whittlesea Senior Sergeant Glenn Parker said.
“This week will be a major cold snap across the state — it will be ideal conditions for black ice to form.
“Roads will be damp and it will be easy to lose control.”
Black ice starts to coat roads when it’s raining and the air temperature reaches zero degrees or below. Freeway overpasses, bridges, low lying and shady spaces are high-risk areas.
Greensborough Highway Patrol acting Senior Sergeant Ashley Hodges said black ice had not caused any major incidents on Nillumbik and Whittlesea roads in recent years, but said the threat in winter was constant.
He said consistent vehicle maintenance was vital for drivers who often travelled on rural roads.
“Make sure your lights and indicators are working and your tyres have enough tread,” he said.
“It continues to amaze us how many cars we come across in winter are without properly functioning lights and have poor tyres which haven’t been changed in a long period.”
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Sen-Sgt Hodges said it was important not to swerve or slam on the brakes if your car loses control on black ice.
“If you lock the vehicle it will slide wherever the momentum is taking it,” he said.
“If the car is rolling and there is still some chance to control the vehicle then brake steadily and keep the vehicle straight.”
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