The conditions won’t be as clear as this on the ski fields as flurries of snow fall but it will be the start of a promising season. Photo: Alyson Lamb/Perisher Ski Resort.
Stars align for powder hounds this weekend when a long weekend and a long-awaited quality snow season arrive at the same time.
A deep low-pressure system is on track to bring a polar blast to Thredbo and Perisher overnight Friday with a healthy dumping of snow forecast for the weekend.
Snow showers are likely to continue to next week, so if you do plan on hitting the slopes make sure your car is in good nick and you’re prepared with the right tyres or snow chains.
Wollongong and the South Coast will be fresh and dry, with highs around 15 degrees and some cloud cover persisting into next week.
Whether you’re planning a weekend on the slopes or down the coast, you’d best be prepared as double demerits came into force at 12 am Friday (6 June) and stay in place until 11:59 pm on Monday 9 June.
The double demerits will run alongside a NSW Police operation to target drivers and riders speeding, drink and drug driving, fatigue, and distracted driving, to prevent road trauma during the King’s Birthday long weekend.
Police from all specialist areas, police area commands and police districts will support the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, with extended patrols across metropolitan and regional NSW.
This includes support of officers from general duties, the Public Order and Riot Squad, the Operations Support Group, the Mounted Unit, PolAir and licensing police.
Police are urging motorists to drive safely and will target traffic offences with the aim of preventing serious crashes and deaths.
There have been 157 lives lost this year, which is 14 more fatalities than this time last year.
Police are urging motorcyclists to ride safely after four riders lost their lives and two teenagers were injured in a three-day period last week.
Four men and two teenagers were involved in fatal or serious crashes across the state between 8:45 am on Thursday 29 May and 2 am on Sunday 1 June.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, said while each of the causes of the fatal motorcycle crashes last weekend were still under investigation, it brought home the reality that riders were more vulnerable on the road.
“Following the tragic events of last weekend, where four motorbike riders lost their lives, we are reminding riders to make good decisions, be seen and anticipate hazards, drive to the conditions and wear the appropriate gear,” Assistant Commissioner Driver said.
“Police will be out on the roads in an effort to deter all motorists from speeding, getting behind the wheel while alcohol or drug affected, and from being distracted or tired.
“Driving a car or truck and riding a motorbike is a complex task and whenever we do a complex task, we need to focus so that we don’t make mistakes.
“No death on our roads is acceptable and we want any passenger in the vehicle to call out bad driving because speaking up could prevent a tragedy.
“Each death is not just a number – it is someone’s loved one. We don’t want vacant seats at a dinner table. These are all preventable deaths so don’t be complacent when driving.”
Plan your trip by downloading the Live Traffic NSW app, visiting livetraffic.com or calling 132 701, or using the Transport for NSW journey planning tool.
Original Article published by Zoe Cartwright on Region Illawarra.
