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The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is urging heavy vehicle and bus operators driving in the southern alps to be vigilant on vehicle safety as the winter snow season ramps up.
The warning comes as the NHVR revealed a worrying increase in the number of defects found in heavy vehicles travelling through the New South Wales snowy regions from winter 2024 to 2025, with the trend seemingly continuing into 2026.
Between winter 2024 and winter 2025 the number of individual defects detected on heavy vehicles in the NSW ski field region rose from 1561 to 1682. Most concerningly this included a rise in major defects from 107 to 195, an increase of around 82%.
Major brake, wheel and tyre defects were one of the most common categories issued, indicating basic maintenance of some vehicles travelling through the regions was slipping.
The NHVR undertakes operations in the NSW snow regions from June to August each year. Year-to-date data for 2026 indicated that the upward trend in defects may continue with 650 individual defects detected in June 2026 alone.
NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said the data was concerning especially given the increase in traffic in the states’ ski regions in winter, including buses and coaches which are also governed by the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
“Any injury or loss of life is tragic, but when buses are involved in road accidents, the potential for injury or loss of life is significantly increased,” he said.
“Most experienced coach operators transporting passengers to the slopes have appropriate processes in place to manage safety risks like driver fatigue and vehicle maintenance, but smaller, seasonal operators may not be aware of their responsibilities.
“Coach drivers must abide by the same rules and regulations around fatigue management as other heavy vehicle drivers, including rest periods and work diaries.”
Mr Salvati said that while limited snow fall meant a relatively slow start to the ski season, heavy vehicle operators still needed to remain vigilant in icy alpine conditions and forecast heavier snow falls this weekend.
“As soon as significant snow falls are recorded on the ski fields, heavy vehicle drivers will be sharing the roads with many more light vehicle drivers as people head to their snow and ski destinations,” said Mr Salvati.
“Even without heavy snow, alpine weather conditions can change quickly, with sleet, rain and ice making it more difficult for heavy vehicles to manoeuvre - this is when drivers need their brakes and tyres to perform.
“Patience, driving to the conditions and carrying out pre-trip vehicle safety checks will go a long way to ensuring these roads are safe for all users this winter.”
Mr Salvati said winter conditions also put added pressure on brakes, wheel bearings and tyres and urged drivers to increase their focus on these key vehicle components.
“Daily vehicle checks are imperative prior to commencing your journey and failing to do so could very well change the outcome of your life and other road users.”
An example of a daily checklist can be viewed on the NHVR website here.
The NHVR conducts safety operations in the states’ alpine areas throughout the year to improve road safety and educate drivers and operators of their responsibilities.
The regulator’s Safety and Compliance teams also work with agencies such as state police and national parks to run holistic road safety and compliance operations in the regions.