Tasmanian police have pleaded with motorists to slow down following a chaotic night on the state's icy roads with 50 accidents reported.

Acting Inspector Kerrie Whitwam said today many of last night's smashes, which involved 100 vehicles and resulted in two fatalities, were linked to icy conditions.

"The trouble is with some of the areas, ice hasn't been clearing on the road until well into the day," she said.

"The message to drivers is to please slow down."

A 22-year-old Smithton man was killed instantly in the state's north-west when his vehicle failed to negotiate a righthand curve on the Bass Highway, police said.

The crash occurred at about 11pm (AEST), but the vehicle was not discovered until 8.20am today.

The impact was consistent with a low speed, but the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was not wearing a seatbelt, police said.

In another incident, a 46-year-old man died about 11pm after the car in which he was a passenger collided with a tree at Rokeby, south-east of Hobart.

Police said the 43-year-old driver was in a critical condition at Royal Hobart Hospital.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/50-cra...9724574951.html

damn that is fuked, poor tasmanians, hope it doesnt happen too often

I spent a year in Tassy, and you have to be ULTRA careful on some roads. The problem is black ice, and you simply can not see it.

Its compounded by some areas which are either on wind swept areas or in areas of forrest where no direct sunlight hits the road. The black ice can remain there for a hell of a long time after you would expect it to have melted.

  damn that is fuked, poor tasmanians, hope it doesnt happen too often

Poor Tasmanians ?

Spare a thought for Scandinavians who grow up driving in conditions like that for 5 months of the year...

It is in these conditions that you REALLY lean to drive....

Having been driving there last winter, ANY Scandinavian with a license would out-drive 95% of our license holders...

The General populous do not have a clue how to drive in this country..

Guess I will be going a little slower down in tassie >I am glad I forked up extra for good tyres.

Awesome Tyres won't help you on black ice mate. You'd be better of running on rims without the tyres.

Either that or fit chains.

Black Ice sux

You will accelerate on ice and hit a lot harder

You will also get it in the blue mountains, gotta be careful when its cold...Boost and Ice do not mix.

Awesome Tyres won't help you on black ice mate. You'd be better of running on rims without the tyres.

Either that or fit chains.

Need some of those nice "Nokia" tires with the little metal studs in them.

Yes, Nokia made rubber and paper products (still do) before they started making mobile phones..

Tasmanian police have pleaded with motorists to slow down following a chaotic night on the state's icy roads with 50 accidents reported.

Acting Inspector Kerrie Whitwam said today many of last night's smashes, which involved 100 vehicles and resulted in two fatalities, were linked to icy conditions.

"The trouble is with some of the areas, ice hasn't been clearing on the road until well into the day," she said.

"The message to drivers is to please slow down."

A 22-year-old Smithton man was killed instantly in the state's north-west when his vehicle failed to negotiate a righthand curve on the Bass Highway, police said.

The crash occurred at about 11pm (AEST), but the vehicle was not discovered until 8.20am today.

The impact was consistent with a low speed, but the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was not wearing a seatbelt, police said.

In another incident, a 46-year-old man died about 11pm after the car in which he was a passenger collided with a tree at Rokeby, south-east of Hobart.

Police said the 43-year-old driver was in a critical condition at Royal Hobart Hospital.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/50-cra...9724574951.html

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erm, not argueing with what is said, its just theyve asked everyone to slow down but then the example admits speed was not the factor, it was seatbelts.

Guys, just remember that you have to halve the reported Tasmanian death toll as they have 2 heads and each road death is quoted as a double fatality...