Winter Journeys - reminders Canterbury, West Coast
14 July 2016 | SOUTHERN
REGION
Winter Journeys - reminders Canterbury, West Coast
Driving on parts of our highways during
the winter months can be treacherous, says Transport Agency
Canterbury/ West Coast Journey Manager Lee Wright. “The
last few days with strong winds, ice and snow on the passes
have been a good reminder of this.”
The Transport Agency’s Winter Journeys campaign aims to encourage drivers to be safe and plan ahead to reduce the risk of crashes over the winter months.
Planning ahead is crucial if drivers want to enjoy safe travel and avoid delays, she says. “Be aware that even when roads are gritted, particularly after a frosty or icy night and on corners, drivers need to slow down.”
Snow
warnings on passes
The NZ Transport Agency has a
snow warning in place for travellers on Arthurs Pass, Lewis
Pass, Haast Pass and the Lindis Pass. “Carrying chains and
knowing how to fit them is important for anyone travelling
between Canterbury and the West Coast or the South
Canterbury high country,” says Ms Wright.
See the Transport Agency’s Traffic pages for updated road conditions. (See video below of how to apply chains).
• Snow kept the road between Te Anau and Milford Sound closed overnight and much of Thursday.
• Use this dedicated website www.nzta.govt.nz/winterjourneys
•
For the updated list of driving conditions, go to the Traffic and Travel map on the Transport
Agency’s web page.
• Check Facebook NZ Transport Agency South Island, Twitter West Coast/ Canterbury, Twitter Otago /Southland, phone 0800 4 Highways, 0800 44 44 49.
• MetService road snowfall warnings page.
Simple rules for safe winter
travelling:
• ensure your vehicle is
safe for winter driving
• drive to the road and
weather conditions
• allow extra time
•
slow down and be prepared for unexpected hazards
•
allow greater following distance between you and the vehicle
ahead
• make sure your cell phone is well
charged, check car charger also.
• have
blankets, snacks, bottles of water ready in case of
emergency or a breakdown.
How to fit snow chains You Tube DVD
provided by GO Rentals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0fIfx8yPkI
ends