A barefoot woman was seen trying to stop passing motorists on the Monash Fwy near Malvern, c Melbournein the southwest after finding a trespasser in his car around 10.40am on Saturday.
“She was traveling at 80km/h on the highway when she felt something on her leg and looked down to find a deadly tiger a snake sliding down her leg NSW Police said.
She managed to fend him off and weave through traffic before pulling over and jumping out of her car.
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The woman – in a state of shock and wanting to make sure she hadn’t actually been bitten – was assessed by paramedics at the scene.
Meanwhile, the responding police figured out how best to deal with the snake.
“Needless to say, handcuffing this offender was not an option, so officers called in a specialist force,” police said.
They called Tim from Melbourne Snake Control who was able to quickly find and capture the tiger snake.
Footage from the car shows the snake’s head emerging from under the steering wheel.
Tim confirmed the reptile’s species, noting that tiger snakes are the fourth most venomous snake in the world.
But motorists are being warned to assume all snakes seen in a vehicle are venomous, so to proceed with the highest levels of caution.
“If you find a snake in your vehicle while driving, find a safe place to stop and get out. Always assume the snake is venomous – leave it where it is and never try to pick it up,” snake expert and director of wildlife safety consultancy SSSAFE Craig Adams advised drivers.
“Also remember that they are protected from harm under Australian law.”
Adams also emphasized the importance of staying calm and noted that the “fear response” can cause just as much damage as the snake itself.
“If you are driving, find a safe place to slow down and then pull over to the side of the road.”
Unlike this case, not all sightings of snakes in vehicles occur around such heavy traffic with onlookers calling for help.
Adams suggests anyone in a similar situation in NSW should call WIRES.
“You can also contact a snake catcher in your area to pick up the snake, sometimes for a fee,” Adams said.
