BALLARAT police have issued a stern warning to drivers to be extra cautious while driving during the colder months.
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The warning comes as Ballarat experiences the coldest week of the year so far and with another severe weather warning expected for the city over the weekend.
Police said as the temperatures dropped the risk of black ice soared, particularly in shaded sections of roads where sunlight did not reach.
They said hotspots for black ice in Ballarat included Creswick Road leading into Mount Rowan, the entrance into the Woodman’s Hill gateway and the Western Highway near the entrance to Gordon.
Police urged drivers who found their vehicles on black ice not to make any sudden changes in direction but to take their foot off the accelerator and allow their vehicle to gradually slow down. They said warning signs for black ice included an icy road surface and a car suddenly drifting without warning.
Police also urged drivers not to speed or attempt to suddenly overtake vehicles and exercise extreme caution when driving early in the morning or late at night.