Gardaí have issued a hailstone warning after 12 separate road accidents

Be careful out there.

Gardaí have issued a warning to Irish road users after 12 accidents, which involved 36 cars, took place yesterday due to hailstones. The An Garda Síochana website reads: "Heavy showery rain with some wintry and thundery falls. Hail and thunder risks are expected to persist in parts of the south later today and possibly over the Easter weekend along with frost. Hail, in particular will lead to treacherous driving conditions. "Hailstones are a year round occurrence in Ireland and can create very dangerous driving conditions due to their unpredictable and localised nature. Cruise control should be switched off when driving in hazardous weather conditions.

Road Safety Message from An Garda Síochána: Weather warning for hailshowers this afternoon 30th March 2018 and possibly extending into the weekend along with frost. Hail can lead to treacherous driving conditions.#ArriveAlive Further details at https://t.co/wmeU9C3faS pic.twitter.com/MemCh4V6gu

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) March 30, 2018

"Gardaí attended a number of incidents yesterday which occurred on the M6, M7 and M18 between Roscrea and Gort and involved a number of vehicles. The incidents occurred between 2pm and 8pm. "In addition Gardaí also attended a number of other collisions on the Dunkettle Interchange Cork, Whitefriar St, Dublin 8 and Rathjordan, Herbertstown, Caherconlish. "[There] where a total of 36 vehicles were involved in the 12 incidents." Furthermore, Gardaí as to take the following steps if your car comes into contact with hailstones:

• Reduce your speed.
• Use your headlights (remember your day-time running lights only give light to the front of your vehicle.
• Slow down, reduce your speed without braking and increase your braking distance.
• If necessary warn other drivers with your hazard warning lights
• Avoid sudden steering movements or braking suddenly