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Early warning of bad driving conditions -
4th November 2007
The
Highways Agency in partnership with the
Freight Transport Association
and the Road Haulage Association
has launched a new weather alerts system which will inform
motorists about severe weather conditions. The new system
started in October 2007.
It will alert drivers to severe weather
conditions allowing them to decide whether they should take an
alternate route, or to wait until the conditions pass.
The system was developed after storms hit
the UK on 18th January 2007 resulting in 48 vehicles being blown
over on routes operated by the Highways Agency.
The system will report on Englands major 'A'
roads and motorways via radio travel bulletins, the Highway
Agency's DAB digital radio traffic service and will also be
available on the internet at
http://www.trafficradio.org.uk and through the membership
network of the Freight Transport Association and the Road
Haulage Association.
Based on reports from the
Met Office, it will
issue alerts for stretches of road where it is certain that
severe weather will hit, using amber and red alert warnings.
Amber weather alerts will
warn drivers to be careful as the weather is likely to affect
driving conditions, and further traffic and travel bulletins
should be monitored.
Red weather alerts will
only be issued in extreme circumstances when journeys will be
affected by severe weather increasing the chances of
road accidents.
Goods vehicle drivers will be asked to leave major roads and
motorways and find somewhere safe to park up.
The new severe weather warning system is a
step forward for the drivers of goods vehicles, with the
industry recognising increased incidents during
winter driving leading to accidents and
vehicle damage.
The new system could also be useful to road
passenger services or car users in preventing
bus or coach accidents or
car accidents.
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