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Chief Superintendent Murphy said braking distance will be "several times the distance it normally would be to bring the car to a stop".
# unnecessary journeys
Gardaí warn of increase in minor collisions as they advise people to stay home if possible
The force’s senior officer for roads policing said elderly pedestrians are at particular risk during this severe weather.
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.”
LIVE: Cancellations and transport delays as heavy snows falls in parts of Ireland>
Read: Met Éireann issues red alert for Munster and Leinster, warning of ‘blizzard-like’ conditions>
