Mr. Pat Maher:

The information we have from last weekend's events suggest hail in particular as the common factor. As a result, we have looked at issues. We have been discussing this with the Road Safety Authority, RSA. Committee members may have heard RSA advertisements on the radio during last weekend giving people guidance in respect of how to drive in the event that they encounter hail. The RSA undertook the work of putting in place a new YouTube video. Committee members will be aware of the suite of winter driving videos produced by the RSA. We have added one that deals with hail. Frankly, hail is probably the greatest hazard in winter driving. The problem with hail, for a start, is that it is unpredictable. There are narrow tracks that intersect and run across a road. Perhaps one or two kilometres of the road may be affected. A driver could be driving on an otherwise perfect road only to hit a section with hail. If the driver breaks, he is in trouble. Hail cannot be treated for. Pre-salting will not prevent hail staying on the road.