Road Safety Weather Alert – Orange and Yellow Weather Warnings for Storm Jocelyn

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads on Tuesday 23 January and Wednesday 24 January as Met Éireann have issued Orange and Yellow Weather Warnings for Storm Jocelyn which will bring very strong southwest to west winds with severe and damaging gusts.

The Orange Wind Warnings are for Donegal from 6pm Tuesday to 2am Wednesday and for Galway and Mayo from 5pm Tuesday to 12am Wednesday. There will be very strong southwest to west winds with severe and damaging gusts and this has the potential to cause to cause very large coastal waves with wave overtopping, very difficult travelling conditions, fallen trees and damage to power lines and damage to already weakened structures.

The Yellow Wind Warnings are for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo from 12pm Tuesday to 5am Wednesday and for Clare, Kerry, Galway, Mayo from 10am Tuesday to 2am Wednesday and for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Roscommon from 2pm Tuesday to 2am Wednesday where there will be very strong and gusty southwest to west winds with potential impacts of large coastal waves with wave overtopping, difficult travelling conditions and debris, loose objects becoming displaced.

Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.

The following advice is being given to road users on foot of the weather warnings:

•  Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
• If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.
• Watch out for falling / fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.

Advice to Pedestrians, people cycling, and motorcyclists:

• Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
• People cycling should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike. Consider wearing high visibility material.
• Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions, as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.