How To Drive Safely During A Storm

With Storm Barra forecast to make landfall tomorrow morning, Chill Insurance coverage wish to advise all highway customers to train warning whereas out on the roads. We advise motorists to intently monitor climate circumstances and to test native radio stations for updates.

Storm Barra is ready to deliver extreme and damagin winds which can gust over 130km/h. An Crimson and Orange Wind Warning has been issued for a lot of counties by Met Éireann as the intense circumstances could pose a risk to life and property.

Driving throughout a Crimson or Orange Wind Warning is extraordinarily hazardous and the final recommendation is keep put and depart the automotive at residence. Nevertheless, if you must make an important journey, please be aware of the next ideas and recommendation.

Driving Throughout Excessive Winds

If you must journey out on an important journey, we suggest that you simply test native site visitors and climate circumstances. Plan your journey and provides your self additional time. Twitter is usually a fantastic supply for real-time info.

Listed below are high issues to contemplate when driving throughout excessive winds.

• Test your route on Google Maps earlier than heading out. It is possible for you to to see if there are any delays in your route and it might enable you to resolve for those who ought to begin or abandon your journey.
• Be ready for the worst. Have sufficient provisions in case your journey is disrupted. We suggest to have heat garments, a completely charged telephone and sufficient water and snacks.
• Watch out for cross winds. It’s essential to train additional warning on uncovered routes reminiscent of twin carriageways, motorways, tunnels, overpasses and bridges. Cross winds could be very robust so maintain each arms firmly on the wheel.
• Cut back your pace. It’s possible you’ll have to react shortly if particles/branches are blown onto the highway or in case your automotive is blown off target by robust gusts.




• Enhance braking distance and count on the un-expected. Be aware of susceptible highway customers reminiscent of cyclists and motorcyclists who’re extra uncovered to the weather. Give additional area to cyclists when overtaking.
• Mild up through the day time and drive with dipped headlights. Turning on the lights will assist with visibility and make sure that different automobiles can see you.
• Vehicles, vans, vehicles towing caravans/trailer and different excessive sided automobiles are at the next threat of dropping management in excessive winds. Hold your distance from bigger automobiles.
• Comply with diversion routes the place roads have been closed.
• Watch out for timber which could fall particularly in densely populated areas. Timber are additionally susceptible to falling within the days after a storm.
• When parking, choose a secure spot away from timber, buildings, overhead traces or different constructions which might pose a threat to you and your car in excessive winds.

Breakdown Help

In case your automotive breaks down throughout a storm and you must avail of your breakdown help cowl, you can see the breakdown quantity to your insurer by clicking hyperlink above.

Coming Throughout Fallen Timber Or Energy Traces

Must you come throughout fallen timber or important particles, please contact your native County Council or Garda Station. Lots of the native councils throughout the nation can be working emergency traces throughout storm circumstances.

Excessive winds can even trigger injury to overhead energy traces which may break or fall. Name ESB Networks on 1800 372 999 for those who come throughout fallen electrical energy traces or broken poles. Hold your self and others again and by no means try and drive over fallen energy traces.

Pull Over If Required

If the climate circumstances turn out to be too tough, it’s best to tug over safely and proceed while you really feel you’re prepared and rested. If in case you have the chance and are not driving, it might be a good suggestion to name a member of the family or buddy and allow them to know that you’ve stopped for a short time.

We hope that you’ve discovered this weblog helpful. Storm Barra can be bringing robust winds to Eire over the approaching hours and the most secure factor is to not journey.

In search of recommendation to organize your house prematurely of the excessive winds? Check out our associated blogs on getting ready for a storm outage and defending your house from extreme winds.