Driving through the Wicklow Mountains is not a special challenge - in fact the roads are normally in fine fettle and not dangerous. But every year there are accidents and emergencies that require intervention. Most of these can be easily avoided with a minimum of planning and effort:
- Make sure you fill up your tank before going into the mountains - filling stations are few and far between.
- Have a spare tyre in the boot and check that it is servicable (plus not missing the tools needed).
- Drive on the LEFT! Sorry for shouting, but having met several confused drivers heading into my direction in my lane, often on narrow bends, I have become quite sensitive to rhis issue.
- If you want to emjoy the scenery, park your car in a sensible place. Trundling along at 15 mph will not endear you to the rest of the road users.
- If you park your car and go for a walk, lock up safely and leave no valuables in sight.
- If you go out of sight of your parking space, make sure you'll find your way back.
- Respect local wildife - occasional collisions with deer, sheep and pheasants occur (the last being most dangerous when startled drivers veer into oncoming traffing or a wall).
- Avoid driving in the dark, the roads become more challenging then.
- Never, ever, head for the hills in snow - the spectacle of two coachloads of Italian tourists stuck on the freezing Sally Gap a few years ago should be a warning.
