Met Eireann and Gardai issue alert over hailstone showers today

Met Éireann has issued a weather alert for hailstones for this afternoon.

A forecaster predicted heavy showers which will lead to treacherous driving conditions.

Gardaí attended a number of collisions due to hailstones yesterday which occurred on the M6, M7 and M18 which involved 36 vehicles in total.

The incidents occurred between 2pm and 8pm.

If you find yourself caught in a sudden downpour of hailstones, here are some tips to be aware of:

- Reduce your speed. - Use your headlights (remember your day-time running lights only give light to the front of your vehicle. - Slow down, reduce your speed without braking and increase your braking distance. - If necessary warn other drivers with your hazard warning lights - Avoid sudden steering movements or braking suddenly

Don’t forget to keep an eye on forecast and travel bulletins. For more information, check out this informative video from the RSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHagNrOQGYk

Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau advises the following: ‘Hailshowers pose significant risks to road users particularly on motorways.

"Drivers on motorways need to be vigilant and ready to stop when and if necessary and they need to be able to stop the vehicle safely in order to avoid collisions. Hailshowers have resulted in multivehicle crashes recently.

"Please drive to the conditions, reduce your speed and increase your braking distance."