Stay safe during Storm Éowyn

If your journey isn’t essential, stay at home until the storm passes

Road safety and breakdown recovery organisation GEM Motoring Assist is advising all road users to take extra care, with strong winds, rain and snow predicted across the country.

Storm Éowyn, the fifth named storm of the current season, is likely to present significant dangers for drivers, especially those in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, where red weather warnings have been issued. These warnings indicate a danger to life.

GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst said: “We want all road users to be aware of the increased risks they face in severe weather. So if your journey is not necessary, then please postpone it if at all possible and stay safe.

“If you do need to drive, then plan ahead. Stay tuned to weather forecasts before you go, and allow extra time for journeys where weather conditions are likely to prove difficult. Be ready for disruption from high winds, roads blocked by fallen trees, floodwater or drifting snow.

Safety tips from GEM for anyone who has to make a road journey:

Listen for weather updates, and plan your travel accordingly.

• Prepare a set of essential items to take with you, including shovel, fully charged mobile phone, torch, ice scraper, food, water, jump leads, first aid kit, warm clothes and a supply of sand or gravel to assist with grip if your wheels are spinning.

• Keep your speeds down, leave plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front, and be ready for sudden, rapid deteriorations in conditions.

• Give plenty of space to high-sided vehicles, motorcyclists and pedestrians in windy conditions.

• Let someone know where you are going and when to expect you home.

• Remember that driving in conditions like this is hard work. You are likely to become tired much more quickly than in less challenging conditions. So ensure you build in breaks on a long journey.

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GEM Motoring Assist is a members’ motoring and road safety organisation in the UK. Our aim is to keep our members on the move… whether that’s through our breakdown recovery service or our motoring and road safety expertise.

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