AA Issues Road Safety Warning Ahead of Storm Diana

• Following the issuing of several Status Orange weather warnings by Met Eireann, AA Ireland is calling on motorists to slow down and exercise additional caution to help keep roads safe.
• Homeowners in counties affected by the Orange Wind Warning are also being encourage to tidy up any loose items around their property which could be turned into wind-bourne debris.

Motorists are being urged to take extra precautions when driving in the days ahead, as severe winds are expected as Storm Diana passes over Ireland.

With a nationwide Status Yellow wind warning in place for Wednesday, as well as Status Orange warnings for several coastal counties, AA Ireland is calling on motorists to reduce their speed accordingly and to allow extra stopping distance between themselves and other road users. The AA is also reminding motorists to be on the lookout for vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, who could be blown off-course by sudden gusts of wind.

Motorists are being advised that when driving in strong winds, their stopping distance could be greatly increased. For example, the AA estimates that when driving in stormy conditions it can take over 170 metres more for your car to come to a complete stop if driving at 120kph, the current speed limit on Irish motorways.

“Tuesday brought its fair share of miserable weather conditions early in the day, but it’s important that we all understand Storm Diana is still ahead of us and, in line with the warnings from Met Eireann, there is the potential that driving conditions could greatly deteriorate,” Conor Faughnan, AA Director of Consumer Affairs stated. “With the potential for strong winds and rain, motorists need to drive responsibly, allow extra stopping distance and to be on the lookout for vulnerable road users.”

“When we get conditions like what Met Eireann are expecting, we see many people who would normally commute by public transport or alternative methods make use of a car if they have access to one, meaning your work commute could take longer. However, there will still be cyclists and pedestrians out and about so it’s important that you allow these road users extra space as a sudden gust could easily force them to veer off-course.”

The AA is also advising homeowners in counties covered by the Status Orange warning to prepare their properties accordingly for the expected windy conditions. Homeowners in counties under the Status Orange Wind Warning are being encouraged to check their roof for loose tiles and ensure any items in their garden which could be blown around by the gusts are securely tied down or tidied away.”

“While we have had a few storms in the past few months, it does appear that Diana will bring with it some stronger gusts than what we have recently experienced. If you are living in a county covered by the orange warning, it’s important to understand that any loose items in your garden or loose roof slates could be turned into dangerous projectiles by the wind and to ensure they are securely fixed in place,” Faughnan added. “For example, if you’re someone who has the external Christmas decorations already, it’s important that you have them tied or weighed down or your light-up snowman could come crashing through your window.”