Alpine motorists on thin ice as police operation nabs almost 500 drivers in just four days

Victorians are heading to the ski fields in big numbers but police are alarmed about what’s happening on the alpine roads.

An alarmingly high number of defective, speeding and unregistered vehicles being driven through Victoria’s alpine regions, is frustrating police, who say lives are being put at risk daily.

Victoria Police detected almost 500 offences over a four-day period last weekend as part of a major policing operation targeting motorists heading to the snow.

Recent heavy snowfalls have made conditions treacherous during the school holiday peak, and police said too many people were unprepared.

A motorist lost control of his vehicle at Mt Hotham, coming to a stop facing the wrong way. Picture: Victoria Police

Eastern Region Road Policing Inspector Jarrad Dowswell said the high levels of noncompliance by motorists was concerning.

“Some of these roads have been significantly impacted by ice and snow in recent weeks, yet we continue to catch people for speeding and engaging in dangerous behaviours that puts all road users at risk.

“A number of motorists are driving potentially unsafe vehicles to the snow.’’

Police are reminding motorists that snow chains are essential. Picture: Victoria Police

Buses and heavy vehicles have been a focus of Operation Eastern Snow which has targeted roads to the Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham snowfields.

The operation has detected a range of offences, including:

• 277 speeding

• 52 defect notices for unsafe vehicles

• 40 unregistered vehicles

• 28 heavy vehicle offences

• 10 disqualified, suspended or unlicensed drivers

Fines were also issued mobile phone and seatbelt offences, while four motorists were nabbed for drink-driving from 1350 preliminary breath tests and another four drug-drivers from 202 tests.

The sign says it all if you’re driving to the snow. Picture: Victoria Police

Five vehicles were impounded as a result of the crackdown.

The warning comes as the state road toll reached 171, 18 more than this time last year, with 55 per cent of deaths in rural Victoria.

The current operation is being conducted with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to check on buses and trucks.

NHVR chief operations officer Paul Salvati said driving large vehicles in snow presented unique safety risks.

“Our message to operators is clear: prepare your vehicles, check your brakes and tyres and know your route before hitting the road,” he said.

Police last month said as many as 80 vehicles a day were being turned back at Mt Buller because motorists were not carrying snow chains.

SES crews rescued people when their vehicles became stuck near Hotham Heights. Picture: VICSES

Vehicles entering alpine areas during the snow season are required to carry wheel chains and fit them when instructed.

Failure to carry chains may result in a $395 fine, and failing to fit them may attract a $988 penalty.

Heavy snowfalls at Mt Hotham has lured many tourists to the alps. Picture: Chris Hocking

Police last weekend detected 470 offences in the Mt Hotham and Falls Creek area over a four-day period amid sometimes chaotic roadside scenes.

“Already this season several vehicles have become stuck or have slid off the road, requiring vehicle occupants to be rescued,’’ Insp Dowswell said.

Failure to fit snow chains risks heavy fines.

“They were not carrying snow chains and were ill-equipped to deal with the conditions.’’

Operation Eastern Snow will continue during the snow season, he said.

“We’ll continue to have a major presence on roads heading to and from Victorian snowfields, and be on the lookout for any noncompliance.”

The RACV’s head of policy James Williams said winter conditions increased the risk of crashes, especially when drivers failed to adjust their behaviour.

“During winter, roads are often slick from rain, frost or black ice, and that means you need to allow for longer stopping distances,” Mr Williams said.

Originally published as Alpine motorists on thin ice as police operation nabs almost 500 drivers in just four days