Operation Eastern Snow has seen police highly visible and enforcing on major roads heading to and from snowfields, including Mount Buller, Mount Baw Baw, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.
Since the commencement of Operation Eastern Snow in July, police have detected 1356 offences.
The most recent enforcement period, targeting motorists heading to and from Falls Creek and Mount Hotham, saw 457 offences detected from July 28 to 31.
These included 260 speeding drivers, 36 defect notices issued to unsafe vehicles, 36 heavy vehicle offences, 31 unregistered vehicles and 16 disqualified, suspended or unlicensed drivers.
Five drink drivers were also picked up from 2180 preliminary breath tests conducted, and three drug drivers from 182 drug tests.
Five drivers were also picked up for seatbelt offences, five for disobey traffic signals or signs and one for using a mobile phone.
Two vehicles were impounded.
Police are urging any motorists heading to the snowfields to drive cautiously on roads impacted by snow and ice, and carry and fit snow chains as required.
The warning comes after police had to rescue the occupants of two vehicles that became stuck about 4km from the Mount Hotham summit on July 31, due to a change in weather conditions.
Both vehicles weren’t carrying snow chains and were required to be extracted, with police issuing fines to both drivers for failing to carry snow chains.
Motorists are reminded that vehicles entering alpine areas during the declared snow season are required by law to carry wheel chains and fit them when instructed.
Failure to carry chains may result in a $407 fine, while failing to fit them when required may attract a $1018 penalty.
Motorists should also check and remove snow from their vehicles before departing the snowfields, to avoid it being dislodged while moving and potentially impacting the driver’s visibility or creating dangerous conditions for other road users.
Operation Eastern Snow will continue for the remainder of the 2025 Victorian snow season.
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