01/02/2012

Road Safety Alert Over Icy Conditions

Ireland's roads authority have alerted road users of very cold weather for the coming week with strong easterly winds.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said rain, sleet and some snow was forecast with temperatures falling to between 0 and -3 degrees at night leading to frost and icy conditions.

Later in the week, temperatures are forecast to fall to as low as -5 degrees at night in areas.

Noel Brett, CEO, RSA: "All road users need to remain vigilant. We are set to experience a period of cold weather, which will lead to icy conditions on our roads. This may catch people off guard, as we have had a very mild winter. I would ask each and every road user to slow down and in particular be aware of the dangers of black ice."

The conditions are expected to present hazards to road users, where ice, frost and sleet showers would increase risk on the roads.

There is also a risk of freezing fog, while visibility is greatly reduced in such conditions. A spokesman added: "A collision involving one vehicle can quickly involve many others, especially if driving too fast and too close to the vehicle in front. The greatest risk is of a multiple-vehicle pile-up on roads with higher speeds such as motorways and dual carriageways."

(DW)

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