After going for a day trip to the snow on the weekend (up past Adaminaby), I was amazed to see how many cars were attempting the mountain roads in snowy/icy conditions without chains. There were many cars struggling to maintain traction (I saw a couple of cars slide slowly off the road).
I understand that 4WDs are exempt from using chains.
When we got to the top of the mountain, the NPWS guys were pulling over all the cars not wearing chains (it was clearly signposted that chains were required) and looked to be issuing fines. There were 20 or 30 cars pulled over.
I had put my hired chains on at the first bay where it was signposted that chains were required. I’m glad I did, because they worked very well. I had never driven with chains on before, but did some basic research and no trouble at all. In fact, I was really surprised at just how well they worked.
Does anyone know why so many people don’t fit their chains? There didn’t seem to be a correlation between fitting chains and number plate colours.
And on the way back down past Adaminaby, we saw 4 police vehicles going back up with lights on, an ambulance with lights on, a paramedic with lights on and two SES rescue vehicles. Hope no-one got hurt.
Thoughts?