Road users urged to exercise caution as heavy rain forecast

ROAD users are being asked to exercise caution as heavy rainfall is expected this week leading to poor visibility and difficult driving conditions.

Met Eireann has issued a weather advisory for the coming days with flooding likely in places on Tuesday and Wednesday due to heavy showers or longer spells of rain at times.

Later on Wednesday and into Thursday, further rainfall associated with Storm Ciarán may lead to flooding.

Met Eireann has forecast that the heaviest rain will be in southern and eastern coastal counties.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has issued the following advice to all road users on foot of weather warnings – which include strong winds.

DRIVERS

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.

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 cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.

Drive with dipped headlights at all times.

Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists, and motorcyclists

Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

Cyclists 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.

For further tips, advice and videos for driving in severe weather, visit the RSA’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more weather updates visit the Met Eireann website HERE.