Met Eireann’s forecast for the rest of the week shows the arrival of rain, hail and potentially snow for some areas.
With temperatures dropping to -2C - bringing frost overnight - driving conditions could be treacherous in some areas, and so it’s imperative that drivers take certain precautions.
To avoid any unwanted accidents, the Road Safety Authority asks drivers to take their time no matter where they are headed this weekend and suggest the following tips:
- Be on guard to the potential danger posed by hailstones
- If you end up driving during a shower of hailstones, reduce your speed, without breaking if possible and warn other drivers by using your hazard warning lights
- Drive slowly in a high gear to help your tyres maintain grip
- Accelerate and brake gently and drive slowly on bends where loss of control is more likely
- Avoid sudden steering movements or hard braking
- Keep an eye out for road markings that may become obscured and leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front
- Make sure your tyres are in good condition i.e., that they are not below the legal minimum tread depth (1.6mm)
- Check forecasts and listening to travel bulletins before and during your journey will alert you of any possible hail showers
In order to avoid a hefty fine should an accident occur, you should stop your vehicle and remain at the scene.
If any of the cars involved are blocking the road, or are posing a danger to other people, the roadway should be marked, and the vehicle should then be removed.
If an officer asks, you must give your name and address, the address where the vehicle is kept, the name and address of the vehicle owner, the vehicle's registration number, and evidence of insurance.
If there is no Garda at the scene, you must give this information to any person involved in the accident or, if requested, to a witness.
If you or another person is injured and there is no Garda at the scene, the accident must be reported to the nearest Garda station.
If you fail to do these things, in order to escape civil or criminal liability, in situations where you know someone has been injured and needs medical attention or you know someone has been killed, or are reckless as to that fact, you may be convicted and receive a fine of up to €20,000 or a prison term of up to 10 years.
