Regional Victoria really comes alive in autumn and winter, from the autumn leaves at Bright and surrounds to the mountain mists and snowcapped season across the great alpine roadways that wind from the north to the east and through the Yarra and Dandenong Valleys.
With so many picturesque sights to take in and cold weather activities to enjoy, younger drivers may be looking forward to embarking on some winter road trips through Victoria in the months to come. But drivers who aren’t experienced with the unique driving conditions in Victoria’s north and north-east are advised to be very well-prepared before hitting the open road.
Here are just a few safety precautions that younger drivers must keep in mind before setting out onto alpine and country highways this autumn and winter.
Never head out without insurance cover
For young drivers, car insurance is likely to be one of your largest annual expenses – but rightly so. As inexperienced drivers, insurance providers are likely to regard you as a higher risk policyholder, so you can expect your premium and excesses to be a little higher than average.
Thankfully, younger drivers have the option to take out 3rd party car insurance, which still provides cover in the event that you’re found at fault for a motor collision that has resulted in damage to another vehicle, or to third party property. Basically, 3rd party vehicle insurance policies provide the minimal amount of cover that younger drivers need, whilst providing real incentive for younger drivers to drive carefully, as damage to your vehicle that’s caused by you will not be covered by your policy.
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If you have any questions about 3rd party insurance cover and how it compares to comprehensive vehicle insurance cover, consider discussing the matter with your parents, teachers, or even with trusted financial advisors.
Service your vehicle before you go
On top of making sure you’re fully insured, young drivers are also advised to ensure their vehicle is ready for their cold weather road trip. This means fitting your vehicle with snow chains if need be, or even just making sure that your tyre pressure and coolant levels are all optimal.
If you have a routine servicing appointment due to be scheduled, then make sure to do so prior to your departure as well. You’ll want your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic before you head out into the Victorian countryside. Even if you do have roadside assistance membership, it’s still not pleasant to find yourself stranded on the side of the road in a cold weather rainstorm.
Finally, younger drivers are also advised to pack emergency tools in their vehicle boot. This includes jumper cables (in the event that their battery dies), a tyre jack, and a replacement tyre. A well-stocked first aid kit and drinking water and snacks is also a highly recommended addition for any drivers looking to embark on a lengthy road trip.
Familiarise yourself with local road rules
Driving requires lifelong learning. Yes, road rules typically don’t change statewide, but there are often localised road rules or even region-specific driving conditions that you need to familiarise yourself with when embarking on a Victorian road trip.
With the changing seasons, road conditions can change drastically in regional Victoria, and especially in the high country. So before you head out on your journey, it’s wise to get up-to-date with local driver alerts via VicRoads and local emergency and first responder services, like Wangaratta Highway Patrol online. Our local highway patrollers are also out at all hours (and across our long weekends) to catch speeders and other cases of irresponsible driving. As lovely as they are, you’d much rather engage with these officials online over in-person.
Our advice for parents: provide your young drivers with plenty of resources on responsible driving. In Euroa, we had our Cool Heads Initiative back in March which supported families with learner and probationary drivers. For those looking to travel to regional Victoria from metropolitan areas, we strongly advise you seek similar learning resources and opportunities prior to departing.
Check road and weather conditions ahead of time
When driving in Victoria's High Country, it is a good practice to familiarise yourself with different road conditions to ensure you know what to expect. For instance, sleet and hail can greatly alter the surfaces of roadways, especially in the country, where roads are more likely to be steep, poorly lit due to canopy cover, and potentially uneven (i.e. unsealed roads).
For young drivers who are local, whilst you may have some experience driving in cold weather conditions, it’s always best to keep to the speed limit regardless and be wary of being overly confident. All it takes is one unexpected turn to find yourself hydroplaning on a mountain road.
As for younger drivers coming up from Melbourne, keep in mind that region-specific conditions such as sleet and snow may make for unfamiliar road conditions and an unsteady road surface. If you suspect that the weather forecast is too severe for you to drive safely, consider postponing your travels. It’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Take regular rest breaks
This is sound and wise advice for all drivers, especially when going on a long road trip, but in particular, for P-platers that are embarking on their first road trips. Young drivers are urged to take a power nap or at least stop once every 2 hours. This is because concentration and reaction times can slow down and cause drivers to lose focus when driving 2+ hours. Keep in mind too that slowed reactions can lead to perilous circumstances, both in cold weather driving conditions but also year-round.
There’s also no harm in taking your time, even if it means going under the speed limit on rural highways, or pulling over to the side of the road or to your next service station to have a little power nap. There are overtaking lanes and plenty of parking outside regional Macca’s branches for a reason!
And if you need to arrive by a certain time, be prepared and leave early over rushing on the road. Added stress can naturally also impair your ability to focus behind the wheel, so remember that whatever you’re worrying about surely isn’t as important as ‘arriving alive’.
Avoid distractions and don't be reckless
Finally, young drivers are always advised not to handle their personal devices or other items behind the wheel wherever possible. Distractions of any form – whether it be in changing your music on Spotify or even handling food or bags – can result in potentially dangerous consequences when out on Victorian roadways.
It is also paramount that you don't drive drunk or drug affected. Not only does this mar your licence by risk of being suspended, but at worst, you will become a very real danger to yourself and other drivers.
If you suspect that you’re about to engage in an activity that will affect the quality of your driving or your ability to focus on the road, then we strongly recommend that you rectify these concerns before departing.
Stay safe when driving this winter with these expert tips
With these safe driving tips in mind, younger probationary and learner drivers can ensure they protect themselves as well as their friends, family, and wider community when heading out on roadways over these coming autumn and winter months.
Remember to stay up-to-date for daily weather conditions, stay informed on local news and driver alerts, and stay ready behind the wheel if you find yourself in an unexpectedly dangerous scenario, be it caused by adverse weather conditions, unsealed roadways, or even reckless behaviour from other drivers. By keeping your head level and your vehicle ready, you can maximise your chances of enjoying a safe travel experience all throughout these cold weather months.
