Police are urging road users to drive to the conditions and use extreme caution as parts of the state continue to experience severe weather conditions, including snow and heavy rain.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said today (17 July 2015) it is important to change the way you drive to match weather conditions.

“We are urging all road users to drive to the road conditions and exercise caution. In wet and cold conditions, roads will slippery and vehicles may take longer to stop,” Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said.

“Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles so you have ample time to respond to an unexpected hazard, slow down and be aware of your surroundings. It is advisable that you turn the car’s headlights on to ensure maximum visibility by other road users.”

Motorists are urged to check road conditions before embarking on their journeys because some roads are inaccessible as a result of extreme snow and ice conditions and avoid unnecessary travel.

A number of major roads including the Great Western Highway, Hume Highway and Bells Line of Road are closed across the state due to extreme snow and ice conditions.

Due to the closure of the Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road there is currently no way for motorists to travel between Sydney and Lithgow so motorists should delay their journey.

Motorists across the south and west of the state should delay all non-essential travel.

In the state’s south;

• · The Hume Highway is closed at Berrima due to snow and ice. There is no diversion for heavy vehicles. Light vehicles can divert via Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale.

In the state’s west;

• · The Great Western Highway is closed between Bathurst and Lithgow due to snow and ice.
• · The Bells Line of Road is closed between Bell and Mount Tomah.
• · The Great Western Highway is closed between Mount Victoria and Wentworth Falls due to snow and ice.
• · Mitchell Highway is closed between Orange and Bathurst.
• · Roads in and out of Oberon including O’Connel Road and Duckmaloi Road are closed.

In the state’s north;

• · The New England Highway is closed between Glen Innes and Armidale.

Conditions are changing quickly so for the latest information visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701. Members of the public are urged not contact police for traffic updates.