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GARDAÍ HAVE REPORTED an increase in minor collisions today and have advised people to avoid making journeys today unless they are urgent.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Chief Superintendent for Roads Policing Finbarr Murphy said all road users and pedestrians need to be “extra cautious” today if they are out.
“We have had an increase in small level, minor collisions today,” he said.
He said pedestrians should not take chances running across roads as they may lose their footing and cars driving near them will take longer to brake.
“So far this year there have been 24 road deaths. Of these deaths, six have been pedestrians and all six were people over 70 years of age. This strongly suggests that there is an increased risk for pedestrians over 70 years of age and the risk is increased further by the presence of severe weather.”
Drivers need to be aware, he said, that their braking distance will be “several times the distance it normally would be to bring the car to a stop”.
“Leave huge distances between yourselves and the car in front. Don’t take photos of scenery as you’re driving, as we saw on the motorway this morning. You need essentially 100% concentration as you’re driving in this weather.”
Chief Superintendent Murphy said this also applied to pedestrians who may walk out in front of a car while taking photos and videos of the snow.
“For drivers, we’re advising they clear all the snow off their roofs before they start their journey as the whole sheet will come down onto the windscreen if you have to brake suddenly. Also, when clearing the snow off the windscreen, clean the whole thing, not just where the wipers are.
“Unless it’s necessary, avoid the journey – make a phonecall and tell someone you won’t be there, postpone and rearrange it unless it is really urgent.”
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The mountain rescue teams are putting out warnings not to climb mountains… I mean anyone up a mountain in that , with the possible exception of sheep farmers, should be left up there…
@Vigo the Carpathian: I’d say the sheep farmers know better when it gets this bad.
@Ray Farrell:
Unfortunately not.
Cattle, because they have at least some intelligence, in a storm/blizzard will face into the wind and walk in that direction so they will most likely end up at the most sheltered hedge. Sheep on the other hand, using their pea sized brain will turn tail to the wind and inevitably end up in the worst possible position, the hedge that the snow drift will pile up against.
In 1982 My father, along with some of his neighbours went out during the blizzard to rescue the sheep, very dangerous but least they were in a group. They didn’t lose any sheep but many hundreds of sheep were lost around the country that year.
I need to drive out and get more bread!
@Conor O’Neill: I’m selling black market bread if ur lookin, 10er a loaf. Can’t get it anywhere else
@Conor O’Neill: the bread jokes are getting old now!
@Sam Harms: At yeast they could make them funny
@Sam Harms: stale you mean!
@Sam Harms: hahah snow joke
@Anto Whelan: up the dubs
With the ridiculous prise of Insurance its not worth taking the chance bringing the car out today if you don’t have to. A small tip could put thousands on your policy next year.
Should put a sign up at all our ports.
Ireland closed due to inclement weather. Back in ten days. Weather permitting
If morons that are already fragile about driving under normal conditions stayed at home. The roads would definitely be safer . Today I see a lady in a small van cause a tailback of about 50 cars.. and cause an artic to get stuck coming the opposite direction.. she blocked up the hole road for 2 hours…
have your say