ROAD safety chiefs last night warned motorists to take extra care in the coming days amid forecasts of gale force winds, heavy rain and flooding across the country.
The warning came as five people were injured in a crash involving two vehicles last night.
The accident occurred on the N7 Limerick to Dublin road near Athlone last night at approximately 7.30pm.
The accident occurred in very poor driving conditions as rain and strong winds swept across Ireland yesterday.
A number of ambulances and gardaí attended the scene and the injured parties were taken to nearby Portlaoise hospital.
It is not certain how serious the injuries of the five people were.
Earlier, Met Éireann issued a weather warning for 20mm to 40mm of rainfall in many areas, and between 50mm and 60mm in the south-west and west causing some severe flooding.
Southerly winds are expected to gust from gales of 80km/h to storm force 110km/h.
The rain is expected to clear later tonight and tomorrow will be a bright cool day. However, heavy rain will spread to all parts of the country on tomorrow night and will continue for much of Saturday bringing the risk of further flooding.
Noel Brett, Road Safety Authority (RSA) chief executive, warned wet roads will affect braking and urged drivers to keep their distance.
"The biggest danger is particularly wet surfaces which could cause aquaplaning or worse loss of control if the vehicle is travelling too fast," the safety chief said.
"And secondly, driving on dual carriageways and busier roads, the spray from other vehicles can cause poor visibility."
The RSA advised motorists to drive with dipped headlights, watch out for fallen debris and powerful cross winds.
In Galway, the River Corrib and many of its tributaries burst its banks and caused widespread damage yesterday.
Thunderstorms, gales, and torrential rain caused extensive flooding in the city and county.
Mayo and Roscommon were also affected by the severe weather and motorists have been warned of further delays today as diversion are put in place due to road closures.
Such was the level of rainfall in the west that sections of the N17 between Galway and Tuam were impassable.
There was also flooding in Gort while the N59 route between Galway city and Oughterard was also affected.
In Louth, the Castleblaney road out of Dundalk was impassable last night at Hackballs Cross and diversions were in place.
There is flooding on the N68 Kilrush Road into Ennis, Co Clare.
All Swift sailings on the Dublin to Holyhead route were also cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, November 19, 2009
