Photo by Chris Runoff

With Ireland experiencing a cold snap with snow already on the ground and more on the way, it is an ideal time to look at winter driving tips. While this topic is of relevance to tourists, particularly those touring Ireland or renting cars, there is never a bad time to look at road safety. The snow expected has caused Met Eireann to issue a severe weather warning:

“Snow showers affecting much of Leinster and west Ulster will spread to all other parts of Ireland tonight and during Tuesday. Snow depth of 3 to 8 cm is expected in many places and there will be a widespread penetrating frost during the night hours.” – Met Eireann, 2 February 2009

It has long been an adage in Ireland that a centimetre of snow will bring the country to a standstill while some of our European cousins remain unaffected. Motorists are being asked to drive with extra care today and only to make journeys if absolutely necessary, particularly in the east and parts of the midlands. With this in mind, I’ve collected some safety driving tips for bad weather conditions:

- It is essential to decrease your speed and allow plenty of room between yourself and the car in front of you. Depending on weather conditions it may be necessary to leave up to 3 times the amount of space between vehicles.
- Hard breaking must be avoided at all costs. Be prepared to stop with extra room and go down the gears to aid gently slowing down.
- In Ireland motorists are asked to drive with their lights on at all times, a factor that becomes even more important during poor weather
- Keep all windows clear of obstacles and maintain optimum visibility
- Cruise control and overdrive is not advisable on icy roads
- Less popular roads must be approached with extreme caution
- Avoid abrupt manoeuvres when possible to reduce the risk of skidding

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