The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has offered tips to motorists in Ireland for driving safely in the wintry weather.
With rain, sleet, snow, ice, and extremely low temperatures affecting the country during the start of the year, the RSA has offered the following advice:
- Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer.
- De-mist the inside of your windows thoroughly
- Manoeuvre gently, slow down and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.
- Use dipped headlights when visibility is reduced. Use your fog lights if visibility drops below 100 metres. Turn fog lights off when visibility improves.
- Avoid harsh braking, steering and acceleration.
- Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
- Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends.
- When you slow down, use your brakes so that the brake lights will warn drivers behind you.
- Watch out for black ice especially in sheltered / shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high walls.
Further advice on severe weather driving tips is available on the RSA website.
