Road Safety Alert: Yellow Weather Warning Issued for Strong Winds 25th January 2017: The Road Safety Authority (RSA), is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads over the next 36 hours as Met Éireann have issued a YELLOW wind warning with Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo , Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford expected to be worst affected. Winds with speeds up to 65 to 80 km/h are forecast with gusts of 90 to 110 km/h expected at times. Met Éireann have also issued a YELLOW weather warning for heavy rain with 30-50mm expected for Cork and Kerry over the course of Thursday and Friday morning. The RSA is asking road users to check local weather and traffic conditions and be aware of the conditions before setting out on a trip. The RSA has the following advice for road users: · Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected. · Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road · Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds · Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists · Drive with dipped headlights at all times · Check tyres and consider replacing them if the thread depth is below 3mm. · It takes longer to stop in wet conditions so slow down and leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front · Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility · Be aware of the danger of aquaplaning especially on roads with speed limits of 100 km/h and 120 km/hs to: Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists and motorcyclists; · Be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt. · Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle. · Walk on a footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

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Congratulations to Laci Polgari for passing the driving test today ! I knew you could pass it. You had the talent for driving right from the start.Rev up and let’s go! :)

Ilona Driving School

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Big congratulations to Patricia !! Passed her driving test first time !! Great job Patricia 😊 I am so proud of you !

Road Safety Alert –Snow & Ice Wednesday 11th January: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to take extra care when using the roads over the next 72 hours as Met Eireann has issued a yellow weather warning nationwide for sleet, snow and ice. Very cold wintry weather will develop from Wednesday evening and will last until midday on Saturday. There is a risk of 3-5cm snow nationwide with particularly heavy falls expected in Ulster, Connaught, North Leinster and West Munster. The low temperatures will mean roads may be icy. The RSA is asking road users to check local weather and traffic conditions and be aware of the conditions before setting out on a trip.

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Road Safety Alert – Orange Weather Warning for Storm Barbara 22 December 2016: The Road Safety Authority (RSA), is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads tomorrow, Friday 23rd December, as Met Éireann have issued an Orange wind warning for coastal regions with Donegal, Mayo and Galway expected to be worst affected with gusts of up to 120 km/h expected. There is also a yellow weather warning for strong winds in place for the rest of the country with gusts of up to 90-110km/h forecast. Strong southerly winds are expected during Friday morning with strong westerly winds forecast for Friday afternoon/evening. Please take care on the roads. The RSA is asking road users to check local weather and traffic conditions and be aware of the conditions before setting out on a trip. The RSA has the following advice for road users: Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected. Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists Drive with dipped headlights at all times Check tyres and consider replacing them if the thread depth is below 3mm It takes longer to stop in wet conditions so slow down and leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility Be aware of the danger of aquaplaning especially on roads with speed limits of 100 km/h and 120 km/h With added risks posed by wet or flooded roads the RSA has the following advice; If the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes Sometimes roads can be closed due to their fragile state after wet weather or because they are blocked by flooding Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires, and fallen or falling objects. Advice to Pedestrians & Cyclists; Be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt. Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Walk on a footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths. For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages. Please also see our new severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion with advice for driving on in strong winds here.

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‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ on the Shortest Day of the Year 20 December 2016: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and ESB Networks today launched their annual ‘National Be Safe Be Seen Day’ which will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 21 December, the shortest and darkest day of the year. With fewer hours of daylight and deteriorating weather conditions during the winter months, ‘National Be Safe, Be Seen Day’ aims to remind all road-users how important it is to be seen by wearing high visibility material when out walking, cycling or motorcycling, and to use dipped headlights when driving, to stay safe on the roads. To date this year (Tuesday 20 December), 182 people have died on Irish roads, 32 more than this time last year. Vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, accounted for over a third of these deaths with 34 pedestrians, 10 cyclists and 20 motorcyclists having died on Irish roads so far, this year. Ms Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: “To date this year, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists have accounted for over a third of road fatalities. With fewer hours of daylight during the winter months, it is even more important for vulnerable road users to take every precaution in an effort to stay safe on the road. Wearing high visibility material is a simple and effective way to make sure you are clearly seen when out walking, running, cycling or motorcycling.” “Worryingly, the number of fatalities on our roads are continuing to increase. We need to take responsibility for our behaviour when on the roads if we want to reverse the current trend in road fatalities. Small changes to our behaviour, such as simply wearing a high visibility vest or using your day-time running lights, can have a significant, live saving impact. So, I would urge people to get involved in ‘National Be Safe Be Seen Day’ tomorrow and play your part if making our roads safer.” Earlier this year, the RSA and ESB Networks distributed free high visibility vests to every child starting school. Since this campaign began 700,000 high visibility vests have been provided to schoolchildren around the country. Mr Mark Madigan, Safety Health Environment, Quality and Sustainability Manager ESB Networks, said: “ESB Networks are delighted to support the Road Safety Authority’s ‘National Be Safe, Be Seen Day’. This year, ESB Networks distributed 80,000 high visibility vests to all children starting school, helping to ensure that our youngest and most vulnerable road-users are kept safe when walking or cycling to school. This is even more important as the evenings get darker and the weather gets worse.” The RSA and ESB Networks are asking people around the country to support 'National Be Safe, Be Seen Day' by sending photos of themselves wearing their high visibility vest or jacket on the shortest day of the year. Photos can be sent to the RSA via their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat profiles or tweet @ESBNetworks using #BeSafeBeSeen. The Road Safety Authority is also reminding drivers to use their Daytime Running Lights and drive with their dipped headlights, no matter what time of day it is. Using dipped headlights during the day makes it easier to see oncoming vehicles in the distance and can help to prevent daytime head-on and front-corner collisions. Further information on high visibility, pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist safety, and Daytime Running Lights, please visit www.rsa.ie

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An Garda Síochána will be increasing the number of Mandatory Alcohol Testing checkpoints around the country over the next six weeks and will be on a 24/7 basis. Remember, Gardaí can breath test any driver that has committed any road traffic offence. Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney, An Garda Síochána said: “Our message to any driver thinking of drinking and driving is ‘don’t do it’, the consequences are too serious. At best you risk losing your licence – at worst you could have to live with the guilt of being responsible for someone’s death or serious injury. An Garda Síochána will be targeting drink-driving throughout the festive period, and this includes the morning after a night out when drivers can still be over the limit. Please don’t risk it, for your sake and those who share the road with you. Our appeal is to passengers too, don’t take a lift from anyone who has been drinking – you are effectively putting your life in their hands. ”” The new 90” ‘Crashed Lives’ TV advert shows exactly how drink driving can smash so many lives to pieces. It focuses on a crash in which four year old Ciarán Treacy was killed and all of the people who were affected as a result of Ciarán’s death. It shows the immediate family, learning to cope with physical and emotional trauma, the emergency service workers, people who arrived at the scene, nurses, the wider family and community. It reminds us that a crash is never just one person - it sends shockwaves throughout lives, families and communities. The message is simple - stop and think of Ciarán the next time you consider drink-driving, find another way home and never ever drink and drive. The campaign will be supported by a full social and online campaign, cinema and a radio advert. The digital campaign features 13 short ten second vignettes featuring people who were directly affected by the collision. This includes those first to arrive on scene, the paramedics, the ICT nurse, the Fire Brigade and the Treacy family themselves. These will be shared on our social media sites throughout the campaign to remind everyone the sheer number of people that are affected by a fatal collision - it’s not just the people in the car. To date this year, 169 people have been killed on Irish roads, an increase of 27 when compared to the same period last year.

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Happy Halloween ! :) :) :)

RSA ROAD-USERS URGED TO ‘BE SAFE AND BE SEEN’ AS CLOCKS GO BACK RSA and An Garda Síochána launch October Bank Holiday Weekend Campaign 27 October 2016: With the clocks going back this weekend, heralding darker days, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána have today urged road-users to ensure they can be clearly seen when out on the roads. The most effective way to do this is to wear high visibility clothing such as a high viz vest or a Sam Browne belt when walking, cycling or motorcycling and by ensuring you have working lights on your bicycle, motorcycle and car.