Police training aids alpine driver safety

Driving in alpine conditions was the subject of a first-ever education day for bus drivers taking passengers up to southern ski fields.

The road at Treble Cone, similar to that of the Remarkables and Cadrona. In 2004 a Landcruiser went off the side of the road killing all three occupants. Photo: Jeffrey Fleury

Eighty-five people attended the seminar at Coronet Peak, which was organised by the Dunedin-based Otago Southland Heavy Vehicle Intervention Group.

The group comprises agencies with an active interest in the transport industry, including representatives from Police Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit (CVIU), New Zealand Transport Agency, ACC, the Department of Labour and the Bus and Coach Association.

Driving on ski field access roads requires extra skill and care and puts greater responsibility on drivers, managers, mechanics and companies, says Sergeant Andrew Savage of Southern CVIU.

“Driving a bus on these roads is extremely demanding, with little or no margin for error.

“This day was seen as an opportunity to improve safety for drivers, passengers and other road users who drive alpine roads in winter conditions.”

Topics covered included chain fitting, vehicle maintenance, vehicle dynamics, work time and logbooks, practical driving skills and workplace safety.

The education day received strong support from the four major ski fields in the area.

“We had some good feedback from participants,” Andrew says. “One bus driver who had been taking people up the slopes for 40 years said he’d learnt a lot and the day was worthwhile.”