Get your car winter ready says RACT

Published | 26 June 2024

With winter officially here, we're urging motorists to exercise caution on the roads and offering safety tips for drivers as wet and icy conditions become more prevalent.

RACT Head of Roadside Service Delivery Josh Dobie said the state’s peak road safety body called on all Tasmanians to drive according to weather conditions.

“Winter driving can be challenging, where visibility can be impacted by fog and rain, which can impact our perception of road conditions,” Mr Dobie said.

“When visibility is limited, we’d advise all Tasmanians to slow down and increase the distance between you and the car in front.

“Poor vehicle maintenance is also a contributing factor for crashes, with changing weather conditions affecting the safety of a vehicle.”

Mr Dobie also encouraged motorists to check their tyres for adequate tread.

“A major issue our RACT Roadside patrols continue to see is poor tyre condition, which can cause aquaplaning on wet roads, resulting in total loss of control and possible incidents.”

“Incorrect tyre pressure can also cause issues on the road, leading to increased tyre wear and difficulty handling the vehicle.”

“Tyre conditions can be checked easily by ensuring your tread is at least 1.5 millimetres across the entire surface.”

“You can check your tread by turning your front wheels to full lock to check the inside and outside edges, and if the tread depth is less than 2 mm, it’s time to plan for replacements. The deeper the tread, the more resistance to traction loss on wet roads.”

Unfortunately, the cold weather is also the time when battery failure is more prominent, so it’s important to test battery strength and park your car in a garage if possible.  

“Make sure your battery is well maintained and has a good charge before venturing on long trips, and if you’re unsure, it never hurts to get it tested. 

Motorists should also check that the vehicle's lights are completely operational, ensuring that low and high beams are adjusted correctly.

“Along with this, drivers must ensure that their brake lights are working, as poor visibility makes it difficult to see when cars ahead are braking.”

“If your vehicle hasn’t been serviced in the past 12 months, now is the time to book it in,” he said.