DRIVERS AND CYCLISTS have been warned to take extra care on the roads this weekend with frost and ice set to hit as temperatures plummet below zero.

Met Éireann has warned that dangerous conditions will be widespread from this evening  with ice, frost and some mist during hours of darkness. Temperatures will drop between zero and -3 degrees Celsius across the weekend.

The Road Safety Authority has advised road users to take extra precautions and check weather forecasts before setting out on a journey.

Among the advice offered to drivers by the RSA are the following:

• Do not use hot water on your car windscreen as it can crack the glass. Bring a screen scraper and de-icer with you.
• Use dipped headlights.
• Watch out for black ice, especially if the road looks polished or shiny.
• Leave extra distance between the vehicle in front of yours.
• Switch off fog lights once conditions improve.

And it’s not just drivers. Pedestrians and cyclists have been urged to wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt and lights (where possible) to make sure that they’re seen by other road users.

They’ve also been warned to look out for ice and be extra care during fog.

The RSA cautioned pedestrians that many slips and falls happen in places people usually regard as safe, such as outside their front door or while getting out of the car, so to be careful anywhere that appears to be icy.

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