The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is renewing its road safety message as Met Éireann warns of further heavy rainfall and risk of flooding tonight and over the weekend.
Met Éireann is advising that another Atlantic depression will move eastwards across Ireland on Friday night and Saturday bringing strong southerly winds and heavy rain for a time with heavy showers following, giving a risk of localised flooding.
The RSA has issued the following advice: When driving in wet and windy conditions drivers are reminded that;
· It takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.
· 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
· Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility
· Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists
· Drive with dipped headlights at all times
· Be aware of the danger of aquaplaning especially on roads with 100 km/h and 120 km/h roads.
· Check tyres and consider replacing them if the thread depth is below 3mm
With added risks posed by wet or flooded roads the RSA has the following advice;
- If the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think.
- After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.
- Sometimes roads can be closed due to their fragile state after wet weather or because they are blocked by flooding. Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic
- Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires, and fallen or falling objects
Advice to Pedestrians & Cyclists;
- Be seen. Wear a high visibility jacket or reflective armband
- 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.
For more weather updates visit Met Eireann’s website www.met.ie