03 January 2012
Severe Weather Alert - Strong Winds
With a large number of people taking to the roads today after the bank holiday weekend, road users need to take extra care on the roads.
Gale force southwest to west winds during Tuesday with gusts of 100 km/h in many places, but some damaging gusts of between 120 and 140 km/h are expected in exposed coastal and hilly areas of the Northwest and North. Showers will turn wintry in places also today.
Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, RSA had this advice for motorists “Roads will be busy today with people getting back to work or travelling to airports and ports after the bank holiday weekend and festive season. I would ask each and every one of you to allow extra time to reach your destination, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and adjust your speed in windy or wet conditions.”
The RSA is asking road users to take extra care in these strong winds and have issued the following advice:
- Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected. • 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
- Drive with dipped headlights at all times
- Monitor radio weather broadcasts while travelling Advice to Pedestrians & Cyclists;
- Consider postponing your trip unless it is absolutely necessary
- Be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt
- Take extra care when near traffic or crossing the road in extremely windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
- Walk on a footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths
For advice on severe weather driving tips please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages.
To check weather updates visit Met Eireann’s website www.met.ie
For further information please contact:
Communications Department, Road Safety Authority
Tel. (096) 25008