Winter Driving Guide: Top Tips to Keep You Safe on Irish Roads

Irish winters can be dramatic. Between sudden downpours, high winds, and flash freezes, we have to deal with a lot during the colder months. While icy mornings and snowy evenings might be pretty to look at, they do make driving significantly more challenging.

As one of Irelands trusted car insurance providers, we're here to support customers through life's unexpected moments, whether it's a collision, an accident or damage caused by poor weather conditions.

That’s why we've put together some simple advice to help you get prepared now, so you can stay safe during the colder months ahead.

1. Get your vehicle ready for rough weather

If you haven’t serviced your car, motorbike, or van yet, now is the time to make that appointment. Any good, reputable service centre will be able to help you; some even collect and drop off your vehicle, making it easy to get winter ready even while you’re at work.

Already ticked the servicing box? There are other preparations you can take yourself. The Irish government recommends you take some time to check your:

Lights: Get someone to help you test and ensure your indicators and headlamps are working as they should be.
Liquids: Check your coolant and screen wash and make sure your water reservoir is topped up and correctly mixed with antifreeze.
Oil: Use your dipstick to check your oil and top it up if it’s running low. Look on the ground below your car to see if there are any leaks.
Windscreen wipers: Even if you haven’t noticed any squeaking or smearing, you need to replace your wipers every 12 months for optimal performance.
Tyres: It’s especially important to check your tyre pressure; you should ensure the threads are above the recommended 3mm limit for winter driving.

While a lot of motorcyclists choose to store their bikes during the colder months, you may decide otherwise: If you’re going to be riding this winter, make sure to research the specialist preparation steps you should take. Renowned brand Harley Davidson has some solid advice to get you started.

2. Look after your electric car in the cold

The future continues to be electric, with recent reports highlighting a 40% increase in new electric car sales so far this year. Cold weather can affect the battery performance of an electric vehicle (EV), with its driving range dropping by as much as 30%, depending on the make, model, and environmental conditions.

There are a couple of steps you can take to mitigate the effects of the cold weather, including:

Give yourself more time to charge: It might take a bit longer than usual to reach a full charge, so set your alarm a little earlier in the morning.
Park in a protected environment: If you can, keep your car in a garage or covered area to shelter it from the cold.
Precondition your battery and cabin: Warm up your car while it’s still plugged in, so you don’t drain your battery while driving.
Limit heating drains: If your car is a high spec version, use its heated seats or steering wheels to stay warm rather than blasting the heater.

You should also wipe down charging cables before stowing them, in case they get damaged by water or frost.

3. Pack emergency supplies in your boot

We’re lucky in Ireland that we don’t generally run the risk of getting “snowed in” to a vehicle, but it’s still a very good idea to be prepared just in case.

An Garda Síochána recommends that we keep an emergency kit in the boot of our car or van. They’ve listed the following items, but you may need extra precautions depending on where you travel and what passengers you might carry.

A high visibility Vest
A tow rope
A shovel
Appropriate footwear in case you have to leave your vehicle
A hazard warning triangle
De-icing equipment (for glass and door locks)
A first aid kit
A fire extinguisher
A strong, reliable torch
A car blanket, additional clothing, and some food and water (for long journeys)
A small bag of salt or sand, if possible

4. Slow down in heavy rain

If you’ve spent any time driving in Ireland, you’ll know that heavy rain can appear out of nowhere, rapidly decreasing visibility and coating the road with water.

This can lead to a dangerous situation developing quickly, with aquaplaning a real risk. The Irish Road Safety Authority (RSA) has a great video that explains what this looks like in real life.

The most important thing you can do is slow down carefully. It’s generally recommended that we immediately lower our driving speed, leave extra distance between cars, and switch on dipped headlights to help other drivers see us coming.

If you meet floodwater, don’t try to push through if you’re unsure of the depth: you could find yourself dealing with a potentially very serious situation.

5. Stay steady and safe in foggy conditions

Fog can float in quite quickly on Irish roads, especially in low lying areas or near the coast. When this happens, visibility can plummet, making it almost impossible to see any cars or obstacles in front of you. If you find yourself driving in foggy conditions, remember that slower is safer. You should also:

Switch on your dipped headlights and fog lights (but remember to turn them off again when safe).
Avoid using full beams as these can make things worse by reflecting in the fog.
Keep ample distance between you and any surrounding cars and avoid overtaking unless absolutely necessary.
If the weather permits, open your window slightly so that you can hear approaching traffic.

If conditions become very poor, consider pulling over somewhere safe (like a petrol station or designated rest area) to wait out the weather. Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is stay put.

6. Take it easy when driving in snow

Sure, it doesn’t happen very often, but when we do get snow in Ireland our roads can become quite challenging, mainly because we don’t tend to use winter tyres or chains, like in other countries. If you find yourself driving when snow starts to fall, you should follow these simple tips:

If you drive a manual car, try to maintain a slightly higher gear than you need (like using second if you’d normally use first).
Accelerate and brake slowly and smoothly. Try to avoid sudden movements especially in automatic cars which can shift unexpectedly.
Keep your momentum on hills and leave long gaps between you and other cars when travelling downhill.
Use dipped headlights generally, and fog lights if visibility has become poor.

The golden rule? Never set off until your car is fully cleared of snow and ice. That includes your roof, as braking can send any snow that builds up overnight cascading down your windscreen, potentially blinding you while driving.

7. Drive carefully in strong winds

Have you ever felt your vehicle wobble in high winds? It’s a scary sensation, and one that can happen very unexpectedly, especially on exposed bridges and coastal roads. If you happen to encounter high winds, you should:

Reduce speed to give yourself more control.
Avoid overtaking in exposed areas.
Stay alert to sudden gusts when passing gaps in roadside cover.
Give cyclists and motorcyclists plenty of space.

If you drive a particularly vulnerable vehicle, like a motorcycle or tall van, you should monitor storm warnings and consider taking an alternative form of transport during high-risk periods.

8. Make sure you’re fully insured

Even if we’re very prepared and extra careful, unexpected events can still happen. That’s why it’s vital you’re financially protected should you have a collision or accident on the roads this winter. While you must have car insurance in Ireland under Irish law, the exact policy you buy will depend on your own individual circumstances.

Some drivers choose a Third Party, Fire, and Theft policy, while others prefer the broader cover and peace of mind of Comprehensive car insurance. All options are available with discounts when you quote online. Take a look at your options and make sure you choose the right cover for you, your car, and your driving style.

Drivers who spend a lot of time on the roads in winter should also pay close attention to additional benefits like accident recovery, windscreen cover, and breakdown assistance. If you’re stuck on the side of the road in a snowstorm, you’ll be glad of that extra help and an insurance company you can rely on.

Reach out to us to learn more about insurance that clicks.

Whether it’s clearing the windscreen properly, booking a service, or easing off the accelerator in heavy rain, all of these steps can all help stay safe, even in stormy weather. This winter, take the extra time to get prepared and give yourself more time to get to your destination safely.

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