Road Safety Authority asking road users to exercise caution during weather warnings

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads today as Met Eireann has issued Orange and Yellow Weather Warnings for persistent and heavy rain.

There is an Orange Rainfall Warning for Waterford from 12pm-6pm today where there will be Intense rainfall over a relatively short time period which may lead to flooding, poor visibility and hazardous travelling conditions

There are Yellow Rainfall Warnings for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Waterford from 9am-6pm and for Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo  for today from 11am-8pm where there will be spells of heavy rain accompanied by strong and gusty winds. Highest rain accumulations on hills and mountains.

There is also a Yellow Wind Warning for Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow from 3pm-7pm for very strong and gusty southerly winds, especially near coasts and on high ground.

Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning for heavy rain are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.

The following advice is being given to road users on foot of the weather warnings. Motorists:

• Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility, hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
• 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. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.

Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists and motorcyclists:

• Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
• Cyclist should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike, consider wearing high visibility material.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light is reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.

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.

Please also see our severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion here.

See advice with advice for driving on flooded roads here.

For more weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website: www.met.ie