Safe driving advice for adverse weather conditions

Is your vehicle winter-ready?

There are some things you can do yourself:

Lights - Make sure all your indicators and headlamps are clean and working.
Liquids - Make sure the water reservoir is up to the maximum mark and correctly mixed with anti-freeze. You may also need to top up your coolant and screen wash.
Oil - Check your dipstick and top up the oil if necessary. Look for signs of leakages on the ground under the car.
Electrics - Check your dashboard before and after starting the engine. Listen for a weak battery and replace, if necessary.
Windscreen wipers - You should clean them regularly and replace them every 12 months.
Safety Assist - Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and find out if it has any safety assist technology e.g., Advanced Braking System (ABS)

Reminder: Tyres - yours can save your life

Your tyres are the only contact your vehicle has with the road. Check your tyre treads and pressure, including the spare tyre. While the minimum legal limit is 1.6mm for a car (1mm for motorcycles), a minimum tread of 3mm is advised for winter driving. The RSA always recommends that tyres are changed before they reach their minimum tread depth.

Be prepared:
Emergency equipment to have in your car

High Visibility Vest.
A hazard warning triangle.
A torch with charged batteries - check it monthly.
Always carry spare fuses and bulbs (for your vehicles lights and electrics).
De-icing equipment (Such as an ice-scraper or de-icing spray for windscreen and locks).
First aid kit.
A Map or GPS (Charged).
Appropriate clothing and footwear in case you have to leave your vehicle.
Have a charged mobile phone so you can call for help or locate the EIRCODE for your location.
Some drink and food supplies to sustain yourself and passengers.

Planning a journey in winter

Do you really have to travel by car? You could:

Consider delaying your trip until the weather and road conditions improve.
Use public transport where available.

If you MUST travel by road, be prepared for severe conditions:

Ensure your vehicle has a more than adequate supply of fuel for the journey. If possible, keep your fuel tank full in winter.
Check your vehicles emergency equipment before you leave.
Allow extra time and drive with caution. Let someone know your route and when you expect to arrive.
Check to see if there are any problems on your intended route before you leave. Information is available from Transport Infrastructure Ireland website and you can follow them on Twitter @TIITraffic
Check An Garda Síochána website or on Twitter @GardaTraffic
Check the weather forecast at www.met.ie and pay attention to weather warnings. Listen to Local radio for updated bulletins from your Local Authority. Remember that the best road conditions are likely to occur between 10am and 4pm.
If you do not know your route and are using a SatNav/GPS map, be sure it does not pre- select a dangerous route which brings you across mountainous terrain or along narrow back-roads, which may be hazardous due to snow and ice. e.g., Sally Gap, Co Wicklow or Barnesmore Gap, Co Donegal. Do not rely totally on a SatNav/GPS, look at your route on a map.
Follow the Advice from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on www.rsa.ie More detailed advice on using the roads in Severe Weather can be found on the Severe Weather Advice area of the RSA website.

Driving safely in hazardous conditions

Drivers should ensure to slow down in all severe weather conditions.
Information about road conditions, Incidents and other Traffic related information is available on the TII Traffic Website.
If your business operates company-owned vehicles, or you drive as part of your job, please see Driving for Work advice on the HSA website here.

Remember the following serious hazards:

In strong winds, beware of fallen trees or other debris and high sided vehicles, particularly when overtaking.
If you are driving a high sided vehicle, try to anticipate exposed sections of roadway where winds will be stronger.
If you encounter fog while driving, turn on your fog lights but remember to turn them off once the fog clears.
Sun glare can dazzle drivers. To minimise risk, reduce your speed and clean your windscreen inside and out and keep a set of sunglasses in your vehicle.
Never drive through flooded roads. The water could be deeper than you think. Find an alternative route.
Snow and ice will always be worse in mountainous areas and higher ground. Try to reroute around such places.
Fully remove snow and ice from the roof of the vehicle before you depart.
Always heed Garda or local authority road signs advising of a road closure or detour.
Leaving your vehicle is dangerous, wear a high visibility jacket and use your hazard lights to enable other traffic to avoid collision with your vehicle. Never stop on a motorway, only in the case of an emergency.
If you have no alternative, it is safer to get out of your car and stand behind the safety barrier.
Call for assistance immediately.
Be aware of weather forecasts indicating the possibility of hail.
Hail is probably the greatest winter hazard for the driver: even if the road is salted hail will stay on the road.
If you do encounter hailstones, reduce your speed. Do not brake, if possible, as hail showers can leave a narrow band of ball-bearing sized hailstones on the road.

Be aware vulnerable road users

During severe weather conditions drivers should:

Remember to look out for vulnerable road users such as: pedestrians, people who cycle, motorcyclists, horse riders and those with reduced mobility.
Slow down and give pedestrians and those who cycle more space when over-taking. They may need to avoid an obstacle in the road, may skid in ice and snowy conditions or may get blown off course depending on the weather conditions.

Advice to vulnerable road users in severe weather

Don’t take chances: During periods of severe weather consider postponing your journey.
Be prepared: Carry a torch in snowy conditions and wear clothing that does not restrict your vision and wear appropriate footwear.
Be Alert: Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
Take Care: Be careful when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions and walk on a footpath, where possible and not in the street.
If walking: be careful when crossing the road. Use pedestrian crossings where available. Use a footpath where one is available. If there is no footpath, walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic and do not walk in the street.
If Cycling: People who cycle should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by having a good set of front and rear lights. Take care in windy or icy conditions. Wear a helmet.
If riding a Motorcycle: You should make sure to wear protective equipment and high visibility clothing to make sure you can be seen. Slow down and ease off the throttle.

Reminder: Be Safe, Be Seen

Pedestrians, people who cycle, horse riders, and motorcyclists should all wear bright or high visibility clothing
People who cycle or who are on a motorbike should make sure front and rear lights are working
People driving vehicles should use dipped headlights and only use fog lights in fog conditions