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Tag Archives: RSA

Exercise caution on the roads

The Road Safety Authority (RSA), has today (Monday) issued a reminder to all road users to continue to exercise caution when using the roads. Even though weather conditions have improved, road conditions in parts of the country are still hazardous due to the continued presence of flooding on roads. There is also the added danger posed by storm damaged road surfaces and gravel / stones deposited by surface water, especially on regional roads. The RSA advises the following: Driver behaviour needs to match the road conditions on roads. Debris deposited by the recent rainwater (surface run off) and wet roads will reduce grip so drivers are asked to slow down and increase braking distances, by leaving a bigger gap between vehicles. DO NOT attempt to drive through flooded roads as stranded cars are causing obstruction and a hazard in some locations. Pay attention to any advice or signage that either the local authorities or the gardaí have in place for road closures …

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Dangerous conditions for motorists

With widespread flooding on roads in many parts of the country, motorists are advised to heed the local authority warnings. The RSA also has useful advice on their website. People should avoid contact with floodwaters, which may be contaminated. If it is necessary to walk through floodwater, use a stick or walking pole to test the ground under the water. Do not enter flowing floodwaters – they may be deeper and faster flowing than they appear. The public is reminded to avoid walking along riverbanks, which may be unsafe due to swollen rivers until it is safe to do so. They are also requested to heed any public warnings from the local authorities or local media outlets. People are further advised to follow local flood warnings issued through local authorities for more detailed information. With strong winds and high seas expected over coming days, the Coast Guard advice to people remains the same – anybody who might visit coastal areas should take care. …

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Roads weather alert

The Road Safety Authority, is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads, as Met Éireann have issued an Orange weather warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Clare until tomorrow night. Southerly winds veering southwest of mean speeds of 60 to 65km/h gusting 100 to 110km/h are expected, with stronger winds of mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h, with gusts of 120km/h at times between 4pm and 9pm. The RSA is asking road users to take extra care in these strong winds and have issued the following advice: • Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected. Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road • Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds • Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists • Drive with dipped headlights at …

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Hazardous road conditions in Clare

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has renewed its appeal to users to take extra care on the roads as Met Éireann have issued an ORANGE weather warning for counties Clare, Kerry and Cork. Prolonged falls of very heavy is rain expected overnight today (Friday) and during Saturday, with totals of 30 to 50mm, larger totals on higher ground. Further flooding is expected. The poor weather will create potentially hazardous conditions for road users. As such the RSA is advising drivers that; It takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front, 4 seconds at a minimum (use the 2 second rule and repeat it twice). Take special care when driving behind trucks or buses as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility. Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are advised to be seen. Wear bright …

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Slow Down Day on Friday

An Garda Síochána will conduct an intensive national speed enforcement operation for a 24 hour period, starting at 7am on Friday. This national “Slow Down” day, is supported by the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders. The objective of operation “Slow Down” is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. The aim is to get drivers to slow down by reminding them of the dangers of speeding, increasing compliance with speed limits and acting as a deterrent to driving at excessive and inappropriate speed. Last year saw another increase in road deaths, resulting in 195 fatalities. Excessive or inappropriate speed is a major contributory factor to road traffic collisions. The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood is of a collision happening and the more severe the outcome of that collision. As a general rule, a 1% reduction in average speed will bring about a 2% reduction in minor injury collisions, …

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Back to school road safety

With schools set to open next week, the Road Safety Authority and ESB Networks have urged parents, guardians and teachers to make road safety a priority for children. Three children aged 14 and under have died in the first eight months of the year on Irish roads. In 2014, 13 children lost their lives, so while the number of child casualties so far this year has reduced significantly, one young life lost is too many. Of the children who died on our roads this year, two were pedestrians, and one was a car passenger. Between 2010 -2014, there have been 36 fatalities of children aged 14 years and under. RSA and ESB Networks have teamed up to distribute 85,500 high visibility vests free to every child starting school this year. Schools can now register online for the RSA’s ‘Back to School’ road safety packs which will be sent to primary schools nationwide over the coming months. As part of their …

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Give your child care seat check up

Parents in Clare are being urged to have their child’s car seat checked, as research from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) indicates that as many as four out of five child car seats are incorrectly fitted. The RSA Check it Fits service will be visiting locations across the county from Wednesday, August 5 to Friday, August 7, where child car seat installation experts will be available to ensure car seats and restraints are correctly fitted. The service takes between 10-15 minutes, is free of charge and offers parents and guardians reassurance that their child is safe while travelling in the car. Since Check it Fits began in October 2013, the RSA service has checked over 8,000 child car seats and restraints. Of these, 82% required some adjustment. Worryingly, 75% of seats required a major adjustment, of which 4% were deemed not fit for purpose and condemned, meaning they have the potential to cause injury or even death in the event …

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Ease up on the accelerator

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the gardaí have appealed to drivers, in the run up to the June Bank Holiday weekend to save lives by going easy on the accelerator. The organisations have asked drivers not only to reduce speed but to always drive at a speed appropriate to all the prevailing conditions. Over 70,000 speeding offences have already been detected in 2015. Nearly 80% of those detections were for speeds between 10 and 29 km/h over the posted speed limit. A further 10% were in excess of 30 km/h over the posted speed limit. Figures show that the June Bank Holiday has consistently been the starting point for what is traditionally the most dangerous period on Ireland’s roads – summertime. In the last five years, 256 people have died in June, July and August. Over the next three months it is possible therefore that 51 lives could be lost in crashes on the nation’s roads. Minister for Transport …

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