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13/01/2014
Ice Warnings Continue
Northern Ireland motorists are being warned to take care on the roads, as plummeting temperatures are due to spread frost and ice that could prove dangerous.
The UK Met Office has issued a 'yellow' weather warning for today and tomorrow, warning that "a combination of clear spells and light winds will allow road temperatures to fall below freezing on Monday evening across northwestern parts of the UK, and then overnight and into Tuesday morning further south and east.
"This will allow icy stretches to form on untreated surfaces," it said.
"The public are advised to take extra care and be aware of the risk of some minor travel disruption."
So far this year there have already been five road fatalities. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced he will meet members of the Northern Ireland Road Safety Forum on Tuesday to discuss road safety.
The PSNI has urged all road users to take extra care this year.
Superintendent David Moore, from the PSNI’s Operational Support Department, said: "Northern Ireland is facing a road safety emergency. We have had someone dying on our roads every 48 hours so far in 2014. That is five deaths in the first 10 days of the New Year and five families left devastated.
"The first issue is distraction - the first task of everyone taking to the road in a vehicle is to concentrate on driving that vehicle without being distracted by anything including mobile phones.
"You must not drive your car after taking alcohol or drugs. Every year across Northern Ireland, drinking and driving kills, maims and wrecks families. Police will not tolerate people who insist on driving after having taken drugs or drink."
Supt Moore warned that adverse weather conditions often faced over the winter period were also of concern.
He said: "We haven’t had a big freeze this year as yet but conditions could deteriorate. Winter weather can lead to treacherous driving conditions which can also impact on a driver’s ability to judge distance and speed, so we all need to take even greater care on the roads."
(IT/CD)
The UK Met Office has issued a 'yellow' weather warning for today and tomorrow, warning that "a combination of clear spells and light winds will allow road temperatures to fall below freezing on Monday evening across northwestern parts of the UK, and then overnight and into Tuesday morning further south and east.
"This will allow icy stretches to form on untreated surfaces," it said.
"The public are advised to take extra care and be aware of the risk of some minor travel disruption."
So far this year there have already been five road fatalities. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced he will meet members of the Northern Ireland Road Safety Forum on Tuesday to discuss road safety.
The PSNI has urged all road users to take extra care this year.
Superintendent David Moore, from the PSNI’s Operational Support Department, said: "Northern Ireland is facing a road safety emergency. We have had someone dying on our roads every 48 hours so far in 2014. That is five deaths in the first 10 days of the New Year and five families left devastated.
"The first issue is distraction - the first task of everyone taking to the road in a vehicle is to concentrate on driving that vehicle without being distracted by anything including mobile phones.
"You must not drive your car after taking alcohol or drugs. Every year across Northern Ireland, drinking and driving kills, maims and wrecks families. Police will not tolerate people who insist on driving after having taken drugs or drink."
Supt Moore warned that adverse weather conditions often faced over the winter period were also of concern.
He said: "We haven’t had a big freeze this year as yet but conditions could deteriorate. Winter weather can lead to treacherous driving conditions which can also impact on a driver’s ability to judge distance and speed, so we all need to take even greater care on the roads."
(IT/CD)
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A record £80 million will be spent on structural roads maintenance this year across Northern Ireland. The figure was revealed by Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt as he presented DRD Roads Service’s autumn report to Newtownabbey Borough Council. Mr McCourt said: "This is a huge increase in investment over previous years.
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Motorists' winter warning
Motorists were today urged to play their part by driving safely in wintry conditions, as this year’s winter service operation was launched. Every night from November to March a fleet of 140 gritters and drivers will be on standby to salt over 4,300 miles of roads across Northern Ireland in just over three hours catering for 80% of traffic.
Motorists' winter warning
Motorists were today urged to play their part by driving safely in wintry conditions, as this year’s winter service operation was launched. Every night from November to March a fleet of 140 gritters and drivers will be on standby to salt over 4,300 miles of roads across Northern Ireland in just over three hours catering for 80% of traffic.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
