Motorists not taking enough care on wet roads

Irish people may be no strangers to rain but they are still not taking enough care when driving on wet roads, according to AA Roadwatch.

After heavy and persistent rain started to move across the country on Thursday, the AA Roadwatch team was inundated with traffic accident reports.

AA Roadwatch chief Aoife Carragher said there were two more traffic fatalities on Thursday, bringing the total number of people who lost their lives on Irish roads to 121, nine more than last year.

“Accidents do happen and it is not fair or accurate to claim that all of these incidents were as a result of carelessness and excessive speed. However, when rain inevitably equates with an increased number of collisions and incidents, it cannot be a coincidence,” she said.

Ms Carragher said driving on wet roads was not the same as driving on them when they were dry and motorists must alter their behaviour to reflect the changed road condition.

“The easiest and most effective way to prevent collisions is to slow down,” she said.

“This must be the backing track keeping every driver company as they navigate their way home or go about their business — slow down, slow down.”

Ms Carragher said there was more traffic when it rained as people abandoned the idea of walking or cycling to work and, as a result, conditions became more hazardous.

Wet weather also caused more breakdowns.

AA Roadwatch says motorists must reduce their speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front when driving in wet weather.

Headlights should be switched on in the rain to improve visibility and ensure that the vehicle can be seen by other drivers.