Motorists are being reminded to travel with their headlights on at all hours over the coming days as the region braces for a snowy weekend.
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A low pressure trough sweeping the state is expected to wreak havoc on the region's roads, with authorities urging non-essential travel over the next 72 hours to be delayed.
Snow is expected to fall in areas as low as 500m above sea level, with Orange's CBD at 860m and Mount Canobolas just shy of 1400m.
The wet weather we've already experienced this week combined with the incoming icy conditions creates a number of safety challenges for all drivers.
And they're challenges motorists need to be aware, said Orange and Cabonne Road Safety Officer, Andrea Hamilton-Vaughan.
Driving with headlights on at all hours will reduce crash risk during adverse driving conditions, while research conducted by the NRMA and RACV based on European studies concluded driving with your lights on results in a 25 per cent reduction of daytime fatal multi-vehicle crashes, a 20 per cent reduction in daytime injury crashes and a 28 per cent reduction in daytime pedestrian fatalities.
Here 5 top tips for driving in the rain
- Slow down and keep your distance. At 100kmh a car takes 98metres to stop in wet conditions the same vehicles will take a minimum 122 metres in wet weather.
- Increase your crash avoidance space to avoid rear end collisions.
- Give driving your full attention.
- Check your windscreen wipers and replace if faulty, they are vital for your vision through heavy downpours.
- Watch out for flash flooding and water over roads especially at night. Do not enter floodwaters it is very dangerous.
Orange City Council has placed visual message boards on the Mitchell Hwy to encourage motorists to driver with their headlights on.
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