Tag Archives: AA Roadwatch

Met Éireann has issued a weather warning for hailstones for this afternoon (Wednesday) up to 3pm. Hailstones are a year round occurrence in Ireland and can create very dangerous driving conditions due to their unpredictable and localised nature. The RSA has produced a short information video offering simple but effective advice on what to do if you encounter a sudden shower of hailstones on the road. In addition, cruise control should be switched off when driving in hazardous weather conditions. If you find yourself caught in a sudden downpour of hailstones, here are some tips to be aware of from the RSA: Reduce your speed without breaking Warn other drivers with your hazard warning lights Avoid sudden steering movements or breaking suddenly Don’t forget to keep an eye on forecast and travel bulletins. For more information, check out this informative video from the RSA:

AA Ireland is warning motorists to prepare for hazardous driving conditions in coming days, after Met Éireann advised that snow and icy conditions, as well as high winds, are expected across the country in the coming days. Hail, sleet and snow are likely to affect the north of the country as early as today (Wednesday) before moving south throughout Thursday, which could result in dangerous driving conditions during the morning rush hour. AA Ireland is advising motorists to slow down and allow extra braking distance when driving. “We haven’t had truly icy conditions yet this Winter but they may be on the way,” Conor Faughnan, AA director of consumer affairs warned. “Icy conditions and snow are a real danger for motorists. Even where roads are treated the grip of the tyres and the braking distance that you have to allow are very different. What may look like a perfectly safe surface may have ice lingering especially in shady spots, and …

With sleet and snow being forecast by Met Éireann for later this week, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross has advised people to be winter ready and take all necessary precautions. Minister Ross said, “I would urge all people to heed the advice of the agencies and take all necessary precautions if out during the severe weather. If travelling I would advise that you plan your route and check local information , allow extra time, drive slowly and carefully and stay safe. “Useful information on how to prepare for severe weather can be found on the Be Winter Ready website, www.winterready.ie. The department also publish a “Transport Information for Severe Weather” page on our website: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/emergency-planning. As of January 2, salt usage to-date this winter amounted to 38,400 tonnes, with stocks of 203,500 tonnes of salt remaining. By comparison, 96,000 tonnes of salt was used over the winter of 2015/16 and some 130,000 tonnes was used during the …

Improper use of fog lights by other road users is a key concern of motorists during the winter period, with over 80% of the opinion that fog lights are under used by other drivers, research by AA Ireland has found. In an AA Motor Insurance Survey of over 9,000 people, 46.75% of those surveyed agreed completely with the claim that the under-use of fog lights would be a major issue during their daily winter commute, while a further 35.86% of motorists surveyed stated that they were somewhat in agreement with this claim. “Remarkably, we get more complaints in to AA Roadwatch about fog lights than almost anything else.” said director of consumer affairs Conor Faughnan.“It really is something that other drivers find annoying. You may be unaware of it while you drive but your rear fog light can be dazzling and distracting for the car behind when foggy conditions improve.” On the opposite end of the spectrum, 34.78% of motorists …

Former Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and Councillor Cathal Crowe have joined 125 residents to oppose the completion of 22 residential units and site works in Westbury. The largest housing estate in South-East Clare could get even bigger if Clare County Council grants planning permission for an extra 22 houses. According to Punch Consulting Engineers, planning permission for this development was granted under a previous application, which has now expired. Sixteen of the proposed units are located in the proposed cul-de-sac adjacent to No. 87 Bruachlan, while the remaining six units are situated in another cul-de-sac between properties 24 and 31. A comprehensive objection signed by 127 people was drafted by Councillor Crowe, following a recent public meeting he organised in Larkin’s Pub, Parteen to oppose this “NAMA planning application”. According to the objection, Westbury is a development of about 1,000 housing units, yet there is only a single entrance into the estate, which results in a “serious traffic problem” with …