The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution on the roads this weekend as Met Eireann has issued yellow weather warnings for high temperatures Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There are Yellow Warnings for Carlow, Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, and Westmeath from 12:00 on Friday to 06:00 Saturday and for the whole of Ireland from 12:00 on Saturday to 06:00 on Sunday. Temperatures could be in excess of 27°c. Potential impacts are water safety issues due to increased use of lakes/beaches, forest fires a possibility, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress.

In high temperatures the RSA is advising road users, particularly drivers, to be aware of the dangers posed by sun glare. This can result in drivers being temporarily dazzled or blinded by the intensity and brightness of the sun.

With clear sunny conditions and high temperatures forecast over the next number of days, the RSA is advising drivers to:

·     Reduce the risk from sun glare by wearing sunglasses. Be aware of the dangers of sun glare when travelling east in the mornings and west later in the day.

·     Be prepared and ensure you have adequate supplies of water. Any delays to journeys could result in road users being stuck in traffic for a period time in hot conditions. Children and pets are particularly at risk during these hot spells of weather.

·     Ensure your windscreen is clear of grease or grime inside and out. Make sure you have plenty of window washer fluid to clear flies/insects and excess dust from the road when driving.

·     Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. Slow down and allow extra space when passing.

Pedestrians, people who cycle and motorcyclists are advised to:

·     Beware of the dangers that sun glare can cause, especially when crossing the road and at junctions.

·     Follow current health messaging around the use of sun block when out walking and cycling.

Summertime is the most dangerous time of the year on our roads. In the summer, when there are no obvious dangers, and the weather is fine and days are brighter, we drop our guard.

There can be a spike in pedestrian, people who cycle and motorcyclist casualties over the summer months as the fine weather brings more people on to the roads. Drivers need to be on the lookout for them. Slow down and expect the unexpected.

For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages

Please also see severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion here.

See advice for driving in Sun glare here.

For more weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website www.met.ie.