Minister Naughton - Be Winter Ready 2021/22 launch speech

Speech by Minister of State Naughton, Be Winter Ready Launch

17 November 2021

 I’m delighted to be back in the National Emergency Coordination Centre for the Be Winter Ready campaign. As Minister of State at the Department of Transport, this annual public safety and awareness campaign is of great importance to me and my role.

 This Be Winter Ready campaign gives us the opportunity to take stock – to consider what we need to do to keep safe while we’re busy and while we prepare for Christmas – and beyond (I think it’s ok to mention the ‘C’ word at this stage 😊).

 It is equally important to be aware of the measures we can all take to prepare for these challenges as best we can. In terms of road safety, these measures could save lives and the lives of those we care about.

 Transport is an area that can be severely disrupted by adverse weather conditions, and events in recent years such as Storm Ophelia and Storm Emma have shown just how much the weather can impact our ability to travel safely.

 During severe weather, particularly in snow and icy conditions, a key priority for my Department is to keep important national and regional roads open. Having good access to salt supplies is crucial in this context.

 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with local authorities, are responsible for ensuring the country has adequate supplies of salt. For this coming winter, I’m pleased to report that there are 206,000 tonnes of salt available, supported by an extensive winter fleet of snow ploughs and salt spreaders.

 Arrangements are also in place to acquire additional salt stocks in case more are needed.

 Another priority during severe weather is to avoid disruption to the travelling public where possible, whether they are travelling on public transport, or by sea or air.

 Our transport operators and agencies have contingency plans in place to deal with the impact of winter weather. During very severe weather, it may not be possible for our transport operators to provide all services as normal.

 However, lessons learned from previous experiences have enabled transport operators to improve these preparedness plans, with the aim of avoiding or minimizing disruption to services as far as possible.

 One of the aims of the Be Winter Ready campaign is to provide information to the public on how best to prepare for similar events, and includes advice and tips for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

 Being aware of the measures we all can take and preparing in advance will help us to reduce risks and to stay safe on the roads this winter.

 For example, as motorists, we should ensure that our vehicles are fit and prepared for winter driving conditions. If you do need to use your vehicle in winter, always allow extra time for your journey, make sure to check local weather and road conditions before travelling, and always take into account how forecast conditions might also affect your return journey.

 If you’re walking or cycling, make sure you’re more visible during winter months and the adverse weather conditions which may occur. Lights and hi-vis are essential!

 It goes without saying but we should all pay attention to prevailing safety advice, particularly any yellow, orange or red weather warnings issued by Met Eireann. Where such warnings are in play, I urge everyone to take heed of the forecast weather conditions as well as any safety advice that may arise. Only travel where necessary and please take extra special care when doing so.

 While ice and snow pose significant hazards, other weather conditions can be equally challenging. Hailstone, for instance, is a major additional hazard. Occurrences of hail are a significant contributor to road traffic collisions on the motorway and dual carriageway network. There have been over 30 such collisions caused by hail already in 2021.

 For those of us who are driving, please be extra vigilant if Met Eireann issue warnings for hail. Remember even if the road is salted, hail will stay on the road and can cause a loss of contact between tyres and the road surface, leading to skidding. For this reason, motorists should always adjust their speed in a safe manner when encountering hail.

In fact, speed should be adjusted in any conditions where visibility is poor. Even on the sunniest of days, visibility can be restricted by a low winter sun.

 As you know, the Road Safety Authority provide excellent guidance for those driving, cycling or walking in winter weather conditions. A summary of their guidance is in the Be Winter Ready booklet. You could also have a look at their website - www.rsa.ie. It’s a great resource!

 So, to ensure we have a safe winter, let’s being our preparations now. Today’s campaign gives us all the information we need to plan for the coming months – whatever they might bring. I would ask everyone to visit winterready.ie , and start your preparation for winter today. If I could offer some last words stay safe, stay vigilant and be ready!

 Thank you.