THERE has been a dramatic decrease in drivers failing to carry mandatory snow chains into alpine resorts this season, but police are warning motorists to remain vigilant and comply until the traditional end of the snow season on October 6, though the date may be revisited due to current conditions.
Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll of Bright police said the lower numbers, with 1471 recorded, was partly due to the shorter season, with Hotham closing on September 4 and Falls Creek announcing a September 13 closure.
Checkpoints at Harrietville and the Mother Johnson picnic area between Hotham and Dinner Plain have been monitoring requirements, refusing entry to vehicles without chains.
“There’s been no decent snow since July 28 so figures are down on last year’s 3678 turnarounds, which was down on the previous year's 5700," Sen Sgt Incoll said.
“We’re happy with those results, but a majority of offenders are still from the the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community so we’re continuing to work on pre-season education.
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“It’s critical on the Great Alpine Road during winter, as 90 per cent of incidents that occur are a result of people not carrying and fitting chains when required, which causes a plethora of other issues."
Fortunately the Great Alpine Road did not require closure due to bad weather, such as heavy snowfalls or extreme winds or blizzards.
Sen Sgt Incoll said Operation Eastern Snow 2024 conducted in the Falls Creek/Hotham area detected 154 drivers without chains in August alone at Mount Hotham "which is worrying”.
“Even though the weather is warm, there was a car without chains stuck last week up from Harrietville and police had to be called," he said.
“It leaves them at high risk of coming to harm.”
Traffic infringements this year included 22 penalty notices for failure to carry chains and 43 other offences varying from speeding to theft.
“There haven’t been any major issues with crime this year, the thefts of skis have been the usual and just three rescues on Razorback on Mount Feathertop,” Sen Sgt Incoll said.
“These were due to blizzard conditions, slipping on ice and had a multi-agency response.
“There were no positive drug or drink driving tests on Hotham.
“We had 11 rescues at Falls Creek and a total of 212 offences detected.
“Phase three of Operation Eastern Snow from August 7 to 10 detected four drug drivers, six drink drivers, one disqualified driver, two unlicensed drivers, 91 speeding offences and a number of other miscellaneous offences."
