With parts of the country experiencing heavy snow fall and sub zero temperatures affecting all areas, the RSA, is urging drivers intending to travel home for Christmas to consider using public transport, driving in daylight and car pooling in order to get home safely.
Commenting ahead of the expected festive exodus, Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority said: “I would also ask everyone to please be patient, it’s going to take much longer to reach our destinations because traffic volumes will be very heavy and vehicles will be travelling much slower because of the severe weather conditions. Your loved ones will want you to get home safely and won’t care if you are late, so don’t put yourself under pressure. On long journeys you should also be mindful of driver tiredness, so our advice is to include some breaks on the trip.
“Another useful tip would be to consider car pooling,” Mr Brett added. “Are any of your friends or work colleagues intending to drive to the same destination for Christmas? Letting someone else do the driving would also be a very practical option if you are a nervous or inexperienced driver.”
While Mr Brett commended the behaviour of road users in the extremely challenging conditions over the past number of weeks, he cautioned, “It’s vital that we don’t become complacent and continue to exercise great care on the roads.”
The RSA is encouraging road users to visit the Severe Weather Advice for Road Users section of its website, www.rsa.ie, for more practical tips on how to deal with the severe weather conditions.
