With extreme low temperatures persisting and hazardous conditions such as frost, ice, fog and lying snow affecting roads nationwide, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is renewing its call for all road users, including HGV drivers to remain vigilant and exercise caution. Even treated surfaces can remain dangerous particularly as the effectiveness of sanding and gritting is being hampered by rain and sleet showers.
Road users are asked to treat every road as treacherous in the context of widespread black ice, make only essential journeys, take it slowly and allow extra time for travel to reduce risks for all and to relieve the pressure on the emergency services.
It comes as a Status Orange Low Temperature/Ice warning has been issued for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster and Connacht from 8pm Tuesday to 10am Wednesday and a Status Orange Low Temperature/Ice warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster and Connacht from 6pm Wednesday to 11am Thursday.
A Yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning is still in place for the whole of the country until 6am Friday with very cold with widespread frost, ice and lying snow. Some patches of freezing fog also.
Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.
The following advice is being given to road users on foot of the weather warnings
Motorists – Before setting off:
Remember your only contact with the road surface is your tyres so it’s vital that they are up to the task in icy and snowy conditions. Check tyres, including the spare wheel, and replace them if the tread depth falls below 3mm. Check that tyres are inflated to the correct tyre pressure.
Be Safe, Be Seen, make sure your headlights and taillights are all in working order. Replace broken bulbs.
Remove accumulations of snow and ice from the vehicle.
Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer. Don’t use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass.
De-mist the inside of your windows thoroughly. Make sure your windshield washer system works and is full of an anti-icing fluid.
Dense fog seriously reduces your visibility and makes driving very dangerous. Switch on dipped headlights and fog lamps, reduce your speed and allow an extra safe distance from you and the vehicle in front.
As you enter fog, check your mirrors and slow down. Use your foot brake lightly so that your lights warn following drivers.
Do not drive on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front (Target Fixing). This can give a false sense of security and you will be too close to be able to brake safely.
Be prepared for sun glare by having sunglasses within reach.
People travelling long journeys are advised to check weather/ road conditions not just where you are starting from, but at your destination and along the route, as conditions may vary significantly.
Ask yourself, is your journey essential?
Allow extra time for your journey.
