16 February 2010
RSA Issues Road Safety Advice
With wintry rain showers, overnight temperatures of between 2 and minus 3 and frost with some patches of mist and fog being forecast by Met Eireann, over the coming days, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising road users to be particularly careful.
The areas that will be mainly affected by rain showers are parts of the North, Connaught and East. With overnight temperatures below zero and mist forecast this may lead to icy driving conditions and reduced visibility.
Drivers are advised to;
- Remember that it takes longer to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road. Therefore drive slowly and allow extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
- Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends.
- Manoeuvre gently, avoid harsh braking and acceleration
- Watch out for black ice, especially in sheltered/shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high walls.
- Check tyres to ensure minimum tread depth of 1.6mm and correct tyre pressure
- Drive with dipped headlights on
- Use fog lights in foggy condictions. But don’t forget to turn them off afterwards.
Advice for Cyclists, Pedestrians and Motorcyclists
- Walk on the footpath or if there is no footpath on the right hand side of the road (walking towards oncoming traffic)
- Visibility is reduced in fogy conditions wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch and ensure the lights on your bike are working correctly
- Cyclists are reminded that they are required to have a white light to the front and a red light to the rear.
For further information, please contact: