RSA urges drivers to take caution ahead of Storm Jocelyn

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads on Tuesday 23 January and Wednesday 24 following Met Éireann’s yellow and orange weather warnings for Storm Jocelyn.  

The Orange Wind Warnings are for Donegal from 6pm Tuesday to 2am Wednesday and for Galway and Mayo from 5pm Tuesday to 12am Wednesday. Storm Jocelyn is expected to bring very strong southwest to west winds with damaging gusts with potential to cause large coastal waves, fallen trees, damage to power lines and difficult travelling conditions. 

The following advice has been issued by the RSA to road users in affected counties:  

• 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. 
• 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.  
• 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. 

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