AS IRELAND is dealing with a cold snap, drivers are being urged to take extra care on the roads.
Driving throughout the winter can be more challenging as weather conditions change.
Ice and snow can make the roads hazardous, but there are ways you can make travelling safer.
The AA took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their tips on keeping your car safe in the winter.
They warned: “Friday’s set to be frosty with a high of 2°C and a low dipping to -2°C.
“If you haven’t already prepped your car for winter, now’s the time!
“P.S. Don’t forget the flask of tea or coffee for the journey – Irish winter mornings are better with a bit of warmth!”
They warned that the combination of changing weather, reduced daylight and the increased risk of fatigue can make it more challenging.
On the website, the AA team added: “A few small changes to your driving behaviour can go a long way towards keeping our roads safe.
The company has a list of ways to prep your car for the winter.
BE ALERT TO THE RISK OF FATIGUE
Fatigue is an issue year-round, but there is an added risk during the winter while driving in the dark.
If you’re driving fatigued, the best option is to pull in somewhere for a 10 to 15 minute nap, and get a coffee if you can.
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY IN ADVANCE
Your car may take longer to get started during the winter, so it IS important to plan ahead.
You should plan to leave around 10 minutes early to give you extra time to prepare the car.
ENSURE YOUR WINDSCREEN IS FULLY CLEAR
You should never drive with just a small gap of your windscreen cleared, you should clear the whole thing using a scraper and de-icer if necessary.
ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR JOURNEYS
You should allow extra time for any journeys throughout the winter, especially early in the morning or late at night.
But you should also be aware that due to unexpected delays you may find yourself running late.
You should never forego safety measures just to get on the road a little earlier.
BE PREPARED TO DRIVE IN SNOW AND ICE
You should be prepared to slow down and use gentle maneuvers when driving to stay safe.
You should also adapt your driving to the days weather conditions.
Remember that stopping distances are 10 times longer in snow and ice.
USE A LOW GEAR
If you’re driving on snowy or icy roads, use a lower gear when driving uphill.
Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front.
If you are driving downhill, slow down before reaching the hill, use a low gear and avoid any sudden braking.
HAVE THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR
It’s important to remember that your shoes could become wet during the day, increasing the risk that they may slip off the pedals in the car.
The AA recommend having a pair of flat shoes that you only use for driving.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR BREAKDOWNS
The number of pedestrians and cyclists may drop during the winter months, especially if the weather worsens, but you should still keep an eye out for them.
Allow extra space when overtaking.
If you encounter a broken down car, only overtake when it’s safe to do so and use your hazard warning lights to alert cars behind you.
