Drivers warned of further frost tonight

30/11/2009 - 13:49:06
Drivers are being warned that the continuing cold snap is set to make road conditions again very dangerous tonight and in the morning, with sharp to severe ground frost forecast and icy patches expected on untreated roads.

This morning drivers faced extremely treacherous driving conditions with black ice to contend with, alongside the flooding that has wreaked havoc for the past week.

AA Roadwatch called on drivers in Leinster and Munster to slow down, as the number of collisions increased by the minute.

“By 8:30am there were over 40 crashes on routes around the country, including a seven-car pile-up near Fermoy and a five-car crash at Stepaside,” said Nicola Hudson, AA Roadwatch Controller.

“Icy conditions were widespread in Kildare, Cork, Wicklow and Laois in particular.”

As for the next 24 hours, Hudson said: "With very low temperatures and frost forecast, it is possible that road conditions will be very dangerous."

"Motorists should take particular care when driving overnight and in the early hours of the morning."

She said the AA's breakdown service had been "inundated" with calls where drivers were involved in accidents caused by icy slippery conditions, but many of the calls were also as a result of flooded engines.

“We strongly advise drivers to avoid driving through any floodwaters, it could be much deeper than it looks," Hudson added.