How to drive in winter overseas, advice for Australian tourists

The dangerous winter driving mistakes you're probably making overseas

There is nothing quite like the thrill of a winter road trip through North America's Rockies or New Zealand's South Island, but for the uninitiated Australian driver, paradise can quickly turn into a hazard.. From plunging tyre pressures to the invisible danger of black ice, driving in winter conditions overseas requires a completely different skill set-and a lot more preparation than you might think.. Whether you're heading off on a ski holiday in New Zealand, Canada, the US, Japan or Europe, or just taking a road trip in the colder months, snow, ice, reduced visibility and unfamiliar road rules can turn a dream holiday into a costly nightmare..

Southern Cross Travel Insurance chief customer officer, Jess Strange, says many travellers assume driving overseas will be similar to driving in Australia, but winter conditions can significantly affect vehicle handling and stopping distances.. "Taking extra precautions, slowing down and planning ahead can make a big difference to safety on the road," she says.. Before heading out, check your route, familiarise yourself with the local road rules and check the weather forecast daily..

READ ALSO:. Driving overseas?. The $53 document you need to avoid an international legal nightmare "It's also helpful to remember that winter road rules can vary by country, state and even by individual road," Strange says..

"A road may be open one hour and require chains, winter tyres or be closed the next, so travellers should follow local road authority advice and signage." Skyscanner Australia travel expert, Jarrod Kris, says when hiring a car, it is important to discuss with your hire company the right vehicle for your trip, and know if it will be suitable for the roads and conditions you will be driving in.. "Winter tyres may be needed in some locations, so ensure to do research before booking your car hire so you can arrange for what is needed," Kris says.. If you're driving through snow, travellers should ask the rental company whether winter tyres and chains are provided and if chains are allowed on the vehicle and how to fit them, says SCTI's Strange..

"Some rental agreements restrict chain use unless required by law, so it is important to understand the terms of your agreement," Strange says.. "If chains are required, then they should be fitted before entering the affected section of road, driven on slowly, and removed once the road is clear." East Coast Car Rentals chief marketing officer, Ben Whitmore, says breaking, steering and reacting takes longer in snowy and icy conditions.. "Slow down, leave a much bigger gap to the car in front, and make every input gentle, no sharp braking, steering or acceleration," he says..

"Black ice is the hidden danger, and it forms first on bridges, overpasses and shaded corners even when the rest of the road looks clear." He recommends packing water, warm clothes and a charged phone in case you're held up, and telling someone your route.. And don't push through deteriorating weather to stay on schedule, he warns.. "If you're not confident driving in snow, there's no shame in parking below the snow line and catching a shuttle or the tube up, which is often cheaper than the snow [insurance] cover anyway," he says..

Whitmore says a few quick checks can make a big difference when driving in the cold.. "Tyre pressure drops in the cold, roughly one psi for every five to six degree fall in temperature, so check pressures when the tyres are cold and set them to the manufacturer's spec on the door pillar," he says.. "Check tread too, because grip is everything on a slick road." Double check your rental company is providing you with a car that has strong wiper blades, a working demister and a full washer bottle with a winter additive that won't freeze, he says..

Whitmore recommends reading the snow and off-road clauses in your car insurance before you book, "and if you intend to drive in snow, confirm in writing that you're covered to do it".. Skyscanner's Kris says most hire cars include basic cover like third-party liability and a collision damage waiver, but this comes with a high excess.. "Consider purchasing excess rental car insurance from a third-party insurer before your trip, to minimise financial responsibility and cover any gaps in the hire car's included insurance," Kris says..

SCTI's Strange says travel insurance and rental vehicle insurance are separate products.. "Travel insurance may not automatically cover all costs associated with damage to a rental vehicle, so travellers should review both their travel insurance policy and any cover offered by the rental company before they travel," she says..