The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to take extreme care today (Thursday, December 5) and over the weekend as Met Éireann has issued Status Orange and Status Yellow weather warnings as Storm Darragh approaches.
Storm Darragh will bring very strong and gusty winds as well as heavy rain at times. There may be fallen trees, damage to power lines, wave overtopping and there may be very difficult travelling conditions and damage to temporary structures.
Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange wind warning for counties: Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
The orange wind warning will come into effect from tomorrow (Friday, December 6) at 10:00p.m and will remain in place until 9:00a.m on Saturday (December 7).
Weather warnings
The first of the warnings will come into place from noon today where a Status Yellow wind warning will be in effect for Co. Kerry until 6:00p.m.
A separate Status Yellow wind warning will be in operation for counties: Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal from 1:00p.m until 9:00p.m.
The whole country will then enter a Status Yellow warning from tomorrow at 3:00p.m for 24 hours, with strong and gusty south to south-west winds veering north-west expected.
Meanwhile, from 10:00a.m tomorrow until 10:00a.m on Saturday, there will be a Status Yellow rain warning for counties: Clare, Connacht, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath.
Advice from RSA
The following advice is being given to motorists by the RSA on foot of the weather warnings:
- 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. Don’t 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;
- 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;
- Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as people cycling and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
RSA advice to pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists
- Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths;
- People cycling 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;
- 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;
- Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.