• Road Safety Alert – Severe Winds

    11th - Mar by   Advance Driver Training
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    Road Safety Alert – Severe Winds

    18 December 2013: The Road Safety Authority (RSA), is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads, as Met Éireann warn of stormy weather later today and for a time tonight in the coastal counties of Connacht and west Ulster. Severe southwest winds will reach mean speeds of 70 to 90 km/h and damaging gusts of 120 to 150 km/h, strongest in exposed areas.

    Counties Cavan, Roscommon and Clare may also experience stormy weather with severe southwest winds gusting 100 km/h to 120 km/h this afternoon and evening.

    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;

    Be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt
    Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling 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 more weather updates visit Met Eireann’s website