The RSA is advising all road users to take extra care on the roads this weekend as the country braces itself for a visit from 'The Son of the Beast from the East'.

The warning follows Met Eireann's ORANGE weather alert for heavy snow showers with accumulations and some drifting in Louth, Meath, Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford effective 03:00hrs on Sunday 18 March to noon on 18 March.

A YELLOW warning is also in place from Saturday afternoon through to Monday morning for the whole country for very cold weather this weekend with wind chill, icy patches, and snow showers possible.

The RSA's asking anyone who's on the roads this weekend to check local weather and traffic reports before making journeys in affected areas and to always heed the advice of An Garda Siochana in relation to travel.

The advice comes amidst warnings from all the emergency services ahead of the cold snap:

Met Éireann have issued Level Orange Weather warn㏌g Dubl㏌,Kildare,Louth，Wexford，Wicklow，Meath& Waterford．Scattered heavy snow showers will lead to a㏄umulatio㎱ ㏌ places & some drift㏌g Valid from 3am Sun 18th to 12md 18th Please be aware of local conditio㎱ #SonOfTheBeast pic.twitter.com/Yz3IbBHoN0

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) March 16, 2018

 The RSA has the following advice for motorists:

• REMOVE ALL SNOW FROM YOUR VEHICLE BEFORE COMMENCING YOUR JOURNEY. Snow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision. It can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver.
• Clear windows and mirrors before you set out, use a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass.
• In snow and icy conditions slow down, use all controls delicately and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. Avoid over steering and harsh braking and harsh acceleration. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends.
• In heavy snowfall, visibility will be reduced greatly. Do not drive on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front (Target Fixing). This can give a false sense of security and you will be too close to be able to brake safely. In heavy snow, use your fog lights, turn off your radio and open your window a fraction, so you can hear other traffic, especially at junctions.
• Use dipped headlights at all times, and fog lights in heavy snow to ensure you are seen by other motorists (but don’t forget to turn them off afterwards).
• Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and allow extra space.
• Drivers of high sided vehicles like trucks and buses are particularly at risk from both the dangers posed by snow and ice but also from the high winds.

Meanwhile if you're planning a trip out tonight for St.Patrick's Day celebrations - start by planning how you're getting home.

Road safety chiefs are calling on drivers to make sure they don't drink and drive this bank holiday weekend.

Happy St Patrick's Day from everyone at the RSA. If you're heading out, make a plan in advance to get home safe. #StPatricksDay

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh ó gach duine san RSA. Má tá tú ag dul amach, socraigh bealach abhaile roimh ré. #LáFhéilePádraig pic.twitter.com/OjTqx3zHMW

— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) March 17, 2018

The RSA's Brian Farrell says it's going to be an action-packed weekend but there ARE hazards.

"I mean weekends are dangerous at the best of times, but at Bank Holidays we do see an increase in risk and that's because there are more people out using the roads.

And I suppose at this time of the year there's more people out cycling, motorcycling and just getting out there now that we're starting to see a bit of a stretch in the evening, a little more hours of daylight."