SEASONAL WEATHER BUT ICY CONDITIONS SPELL DANGER
Christmas week in North Cork and the general surrounding area got off to a festive start as far as the weather is concerned with temperatures well below zero and light snowfall on higher ground, writes Brian Moore.
However, the Christmas card scene also made road travel extremely dangerous for motorists and pedestrians alike. In Mitchelstown gardai reported many roads in the area as ‘very dangerous’ with black ice and temperatures below zero.
“The main roads remain passable but we are advising motorists to slow down as black ice has been reported on many routes. The N8 through Kilbehenny is particularly bad and we would advise motorist to avoid the area if possible. The main thing is to slow down and, if possible, do not to travel unless it is completely necessary,” Sergeant Aidan Dunne told The Avondhu.
The N8 between Rathcormac and Mitchelstown was said to be extremely dangerous with black ice. Meanwhile gardai have appealed for motorists to slow down and in some areas not to travel unless it is completely necessary.
“Many rural roads will have patches of black ice and temperatures are expected to remain below zero in many parts of the county. An Garda Siochana are appealing to motorists and all other road users to slow down and to be aware of the road conditions in your area.
"Also over the next two weeks people will be travelling on our roads to join friends and family for Christmas and the New Year. I want to appeal to them to take care on the roads and ensure they arrive at their destinations safely. It is important that drivers slow down, don’t drink and drive and wear their seat belts”.
To date this year up to 18th December 2009 234 people have been killed on our roads in 216 collisions. Many more have suffered life-changing injuries. While the number of lives lost is lower than last year, one death is one too many and we all have a role to play in reducing road deaths. Our focus is on changing driver behaviour.
"As has been said many times before, An Garda Siochana’s objective is not to catch people speeding or drinking and driving, rather we want to stop people speeding or drinking and driving and engaging in reckless behaviour that endangers their own lives and those of other people in the community.
"However, our message is clear: we are targeting our enforcement activity and if people choose to break the law, they will be caught”, a garda spokesperson said.
AA Roadwatch has warned that several roads will remain icy, as temperatures will struggle to rise much above zero. Many people travelling home for Christmas have been delayed as airports across Europe and the USA experience blizzard conditions. The cold snap is expected to last for most of the remainder of Christmas week with indications of a possible rise in temperatures on Christmas day and St Stephen’s day.
Published:
Monday 4th January 9:59am
