SLOW DOWN and take extra care on the roads in the wet and windy weather, authorities are urging.
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Ballarat's weather during the next week will continue to be bleak, with rain and frost forecast and the mercury not tipped to exceed a high of 12 for the rest of the week.
Meanwhile, overnight temperatures will be as low as 2 degrees.
Road policing adviser for the region, Acting Senior Sergeant Stuart Gale, said that people should always drive to the conditions.
This not only means slowing down due to reduced visibility and allowing a greater distance between other cars as wet conditions require a greater braking distance, but also ensuring that the car is roadworthy.
Check that windscreen wipers and headlights are working before hitting the road, and use them when driving in wet conditions.
If the rain is heavy and hindering visibility, pull over to a safe place - away from trees - and wait for the rain to pass.
It is also important that tyres have suitable tread depth to drive on wet roads, while loads should be properly secured - even more so if it is windy.
With reduced visibility, it is even more important to look out for pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists, who may be more difficult to see.
Acting Senior Sergeant Gale said people should check weather conditions before getting behind the wheel and should keep an eye out for flashing black ice signs.
If you hit black ice, do not swerve or slam on the brakes.
Remain calm, and gently lift the foot off the accelerator.
The Department of Transport said conditions could change quickly and urged drivers to be vigilant at all times and to ensure they were not distracted in a way that would take the focus off the road.
If a fallen power line is encountered, stay well clear of it and call 000.
Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or via the VicTraffic mobile app.