Road safety professionals have warned motorists to slow down and take care as heavy rain and damaging winds sweep across the Country. ROAD users are being warned about potentially dangerous driving conditions due to high winds.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for the Country after forecasting, today (12 Sep 2011) to be a extremely windy day. Southwest winds will reach mean speeds of 50 to 80 km/hr, gusting 90 to 130 km/hr, with the most severe winds affecting exposed parts of Connaught and Ulster this morning.

Road Safety Officer Noel Gibbons said : "Drivers of high-sided vehicles and other vulnerable vehicles such as caravans and motorcycles are being urged to avoid using exposed sections of roads.

"Drivers are advised to plan their journeys before they set out and to delay or postpone any unnecessary journeys if the weather becomes severe."

Drivers are reminded that rain and spray can reduce visibility and when the road is wet it can take up to twice as long to stop so it makes sense to slow down when it's raining.

Drive With Your Dipped Lights On In Daylight Hours

HIGH WINDS - Slow down - you are more vulnerable to side winds at higher speeds. Give yourself more space, with plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front; take particular care when passing large vehicles and motorcycles, and be ready for side winds at gaps in buildings or as you come out of a cutting. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to side winds.

Be wary of any fallen tree branches or wheelie bins blown onto the roadway.