15 December 2011

Top Safety Tip's for Road users in snow and Ice

Road conditions are expected to worsen over the next 48 hours with rain, sleet and snow forecast for some parts of the country. Temperatures are also expected to drop to between 0 to -3 degrees tonight resulting in a sharp or severe frost and icy patches. With rain falling during the day there is a risk that this will then freeze on roads as temperatures drop tonight, posing a particular hazard to road users.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has, the following ‘Top Safety Tips’ for Road Users in snow and ice. They are;

1. Get a grip. 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 spare wheel, and replace them if the tread depth falls below 3mm. Check that tyres are inflated to the correct tyre pressure. Lack of grip can occur even on treated roads so drive slowly in the highest gear possible, manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking. Replace tyres if necessary. 
2. Make sure you can see. Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass. Replace windshield wiper blades if necessary. De-mist the inside of your windows thoroughly. Make sure your windshield washer system works and is full of an anti-icing fluid. Remember too that heavy snowfall will reduce visibility! Watch out for grit/salt spreaders and snow ploughs. The glare from the sun can be dazzling in the winter when the sun is low in the sky, so wear sunglasses in these conditions.  Pedestrians and Cyclists should wear clothing that does not restrict vision. Stay warm, but DO NOT restrict your vision with hoodies, ski masks, scarves, hats, etc. This type of clothing could prevent you from spotting icy conditions that may lead to a fall or not enable you to see a car that is spinning out of control. Most importantly of all wear high visibility material so you can be seen by other road users especially drivers. Children waiting for school buses along rural roadsides should stand well in off the roadside and always wear a hi-vis vest.
3. Check & use your lights. Use your dipped headlights so that others will see you. Make sure your headlights and taillights are all in working order, replace broken bulbs. Make sure lights are clear of snow.
4. Gently does it. Manoeuvre gently, slow down and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. Too much steering is bad and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends. Falling snow, fog, rain, or hail will reduces visibility. Do not hang on to the tail lights of the vehicle in front of you as it can give a false sense of security. When you slow down, use your brakes so that the brake lights warn drivers behind you. While walking on footpaths and in public places, or entering and exiting your car or truck, DO NOT underestimate the dangers of snow and ice. Each winter slips and fall accidents cause serious injuries. Even when surfaces do not look especially icy or slippery, it is very possible that a thin sheet of transparent ice or “Black Ice” is covering your pathway putting you at risk. When you approach a footpath or roadway that appears to be covered with ice or snow, always use extreme caution.
5. Watch out for "black ice." If the road looks polished or glossy it could be, "black ice” one of winter's worst hazards: Black Ice is difficult to see! It is nearly transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle or is overlooked entirely. Watch out for black ice, especially in sheltered / shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high walls.
6. Give yourself a brake. If you get into a skid, you need to know if your vehicle has ABS (Anti- Lock Braking Systems). After you "Step" on the brake the ABS begins cycling — you will feel pulses in the pedal or hear the system working. It's easy to properly use antilock brakes: Remember - Step, Stay and Steer. Step on the pedal. Stay on the pedal. Steer around the obstacle. (A warning: A little bit of steering goes a very long way in an emergency). For vehicle’s without ABS, you'll have to rely on the old-fashioned ‘Cadence Braking’ system: Push the brake pedal until the wheels stop rolling, then immediately release the brake enough to allow the wheels to begin turning again. Repeat this sequence rapidly. Your goal is to have the tyres producing maximum grip regardless of whether the surface is snow or ice.
7. How does your vehicle help? Check in your owner’s manual and find out if your vehicle has any safety assist technology like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti Lock Braking System (ABS) and know how they assist your driving in severe weather conditions. But remember technology offers no miracles. Don't let these lull you into overestimating the available traction.
8. Be Prepared! In prolonged icy or snowy driving conditions it is advisable to carry the following in the boot of the car

• High Visibility Vest
• Tow rope
• Spare bulbs
• A shovel
• Appropriate footwear in case you have to leave your vehicle ie boots
• A hazard warning triangle
• Spare wheel (with tyre at correct pressure and tread)
• De-icing equipment (Both for glass and door locks)
• First aid kit (in good order)
• A fire extinguisher (fully operative)
• A working torch
• A car blanket, additional clothing & some food and water
• In preparation for driving you should also ensure:
• The vehicle is properly maintained, serviced and engine oil viscosity is suitable for cold conditions.
• Have the strength of coolant/antifreeze measured.
• Ensure vehicle has adequate supply of fuel for journey.
• Consider carrying some salt or sand. And Give someone an estimated time of arrival at your proposed destination. Carry a mobile phone and spare, fully charged, battery (if you don’t have a car charger)

9.        Get informed. Listen to local weather and traffic reports and heed any advice the Gardai give in relation to road travel. For updates on weather forecasts visit Met Éireann. The RSA has a section of its website dedicated to providing road users with Severe Weather Advice. It includes downloadable tips and audio clips for many severe weather conditions including snow and ice.  The National Roads Authority also has a network of over 50 weather monitoring stations and road sensors located on National Roads. These stations are part of an Ice Detection and Prediction System for the forecasting of ice formation on national roads during the winter months. The webpage provides the actual readings from the road sensors in real time. The information provided includes Road Surface Temperature, Air Temperature, Wind Speed, Wind Direction and the Road State i.e. whether there is ice, frost, snow, wet and whether the road has been treated.

10.     Stay at home. The best thing to do in extremely bad weather is to stay off the road. Take heed of warnings not to go out. This leaves the emergency services free to deal with real emergencies instead of rounding up stranded motorists.

For more information please contact

RSA Communications Department 096 – 25008 or email pressoffice@rsa.ie