Gardai have issued a number of helpful tips to drivers about driving in cold weather - as Ireland is set to see temperatures drop to below freezing over the weekend.
Storm Arwen is set to cause havoc across the country in the next few days with high winds and wintry showers forecast by Met Eireann.
And the combination of rain, sleet, snow, hail and of course the cold will cause dangerous road conditions.
This has led both the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Gardai to link up and drop some key advice for drivers before they set off in the cold weather.
A spokesperson explained what you have to do before getting behind the wheel - and how to react while there.
Is Your Vehicle Winter-Ready?
- Lights – Make sure all of your indicators and headlamps are clean and working
- Tyres – Check your tyre treads and pressure, including the spare. While the minimum legal limit is 1.6mm, a minimum tread of 3mm is advised for winter driving.
- 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.
- Check for wear and tear on wiper blades and replace them as soon as they start to smear rather than clean windows.
Motoring tips in snow and ice:
- Clear ALL your windows, mirrors and lights before you set out – do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack glass.
- Ensure your vehicle is clear of snow including the roof.
- Have sunglasses in the car.
- Visibility may be reduced. However, do not hang on to the tail lights of the vehicle in front of you.
- Use your dipped headlights and fog lights.
- Manoeuvre gently, too much steering is a bad idea.
- Slow down and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.
- When you slow down, use your brakes gently so that the brake lights warn drivers behind you.
- Avoid harsh braking and acceleration
- Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Select a low gear when travelling downhill, especially through bends.
- If your car has rear wheel drive, the addition of extra weight in the boot will help your wheels to grip.
- Watch out for black ice, especially in sheltered/shaded areas on roads, under trees, under or on bridges and adjacent to high walls.
The spokesperson says: "Finally, don’t ever leave your car unattended in the morning with the engine running to defrost. Cars have been stolen in such circumstances."
