Severe weather warning - extremely wet and windy conditions
The Road Safety Authority is advising all road users to take extra care following a severe weather alert from Met Éireann. Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Galway, Clare and Kerry will be the areas most affected.
Extremely windy and wet weather will develop overnight and into the following day, with strong to gale-force southwest winds giving gusts of up to 110km/h. Heavy rain is also expected with 25 to 40 mm possible.
Check the local and national weather forecasts or visit Met Eireann's website, www.met.ie, for updates.
Following the warning, the RSA has advised drivers to be careful:
- Driving in such conditions will result in reduced visibility. Use dipped headlights.
- Allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front (i.e. don't tailgate), especially when driving behind heavy goods vehicles
- Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
- Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
- Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists.
- Check tyres to ensure minimum tread depth of 1.6mm and ensure correct tyre pressures.
- Flooding and slippery road surfaces make driving particularly hazardous so always drive with care and caution. Expect the unexpected.
- After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.
- Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are advised to:
- Be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt
- Walk on a footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
