Hail Mary: Kilkenny motorists urged to slow down as deluge forecast
Kilkenny motorists are being urged to take extra care when on our roads for the rest of the week as wintery hail showers are forecast over the coming days.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging drivers to be aware of the dangers posed by hailstones, which they described as “an unpredictable occurrence” in Ireland that can lead to “slippery and dangerous driving conditions”.
The road safety body warned the danger is particularly acute on “higher speed roads like dual carriageways or motorways”.
The RSA warning comes as Met Éireann forecast a sharp drop in temperatures this weekend – with even snow showers forecast in some parts.
A spokesperson for the RSA said: “The difficulty with hail showers is their unpredictability and localised nature. As a hail shower tracks across the country it deposits a narrow band of ball bearing sized hailstones on the ground.
“Where the track of a shower crosses a road, drivers may suddenly pass from perfectly good road conditions onto a carpet of hailstones. This has the potential to catch drivers out if they do not immediately react to the hazardous driving conditions.”
The RSA provided the following practical advice for drivers:
- Drivers need to be on guard to the potential danger posed by hailstones.
- If you encounter hailstones reduce your speed, without breaking if possible. Warn other drivers by using your hazard warning lights.
- Driving slowly in a high gear will help your tyres maintain grip even as your tyres move over the compacted pellets of ice.
- Accelerate and brake very gently and drive slowly on bends where loss of control is more likely. Avoidsudden steering movements or hard braking.
- Keep an eye out for road markings that may become obscured.
- Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front.
