ROAD SIGNS
Drivers should understand the meaning of traffic signs before they attempt
to drive on public roads.
Traffic signs and roadway markings are divided into a number of broad
categories
(a)regulatory
|
|
(b)warning
|
|
(c)information
|
|
Different types of signs are used on motorways and a special series
of warning signs are used for road works. Most Road signs in the Republic
are in both Gaelic and English. Ireland is striving towards metrication
so the all new-style green and white signs are in kilometres. However,
nothing is quite that simple in Ireland so expect to come across some
black-on-white signs showing distances in miles. As in Britain, road
signs in the North are always in miles. One road sign that is unique
to the Republic is the "Yield" sign - in the UK this is worded "Give
Way". Throughout both the Republic and Northern Ireland, brown signs
with white lettering indicate places of historical, cultural or leisure
interest.
ROADWAY MARKINGS
1.Single or double continuous
white lines along the center of the road; all traffic must keep to
the left of the line (except in an emergency or for access).
|
 |
2.Broken white lines along
the centre of the road alert drivers and must not be crossed unless
it is safe to do so.
|
 |
3.Double broken white lines
along the centre of the road alert drivers to continuous white lines
a short distance ahead and must not be crossed unless it is safe
to do so.
|
 |
4.Broken white lines together
with single white lines - the line nearest the driver must be obeyed.
|
 |
5.A single broken yellow
line along the edge of the roadway - indicates the edge of a carriageway
where a hard shoulder is normally provided.
|
 |
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
1.RED LIGHT
A driver approaching a traffic light showing red must not proceed beyond
the stop line at that light or, if there is no stop line, beyond that light.
|
 |
2.AMBER LIGHT
A driver approaching a traffic light showing amber while no other traffic
light (immediately above or below) shows any light, must not proceed beyond
the stop line at that light or, if there is no stop line, beyond that light)
save when the vehicle is so close to the stop line when the amber light
is first engaged that the vehicle cannot safely be halted before the stop
line.
|
 |
3.GREEN LIGHT
A driver approaching a traffic light showing green may proceed past the
light provided the way is clear.
|
 |
4.GREEN ARROW
A driver approaching a traffic light showing a lighted green arrow may
proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow (provided the way is clear
and it is safe to do so) not withstanding that another light facing the
driver is showing red.
|
 |
SPEED LIMITS
In the Republic and Northern Ireland the maximum speed limit, which
is shown in miles, are more or less the same as those in Britain.
- 30mph (50km/h) in built up areas
- 60mph (95km/h) outside built up areas
- 70mph (110km/h) on motorways
On certain roads, which are clearly marked the speed limits are either
40mph (65km/h) or 50mph (80km/h). Where there is no indication the speed
limit is 60mph (95km/h). In the Republic, vehicles towing caravans must
not exceed 55mph (90km/h) on any road. Speed limits are more strictly
enforced in the North than in the Republic.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS
1.Parking Prohibited at all
times.
|
 |
2.Parking Prohibited during
times shown on information plate.
|
 |
3.Clearway; stopping or parking
prohibited by any vehicle (other than buses or taxis) at the times
shown on the information plate.During "Clearway Hours" a
vehicle may not park at a meter or disk parking place provided in
the clearway.
|
 |
4.Parking prohibited during
business hours. It is permissible to stop for the purposes of picking
up or setting down passengers or to load/unload goods when these
prohibitions are in force.
|
 |
5.No Parking at any time.
It is permissible to stop for the purposes of picking up or setting
down passengers or to load/unload goods when these prohibitions are
in force.
|
 |
Business hours may vary from town to town but in most
major towns "business hours" means Monday to Friday 8.00 a.m.
to 6.30 p.m.
ACCIDENTS
Any driver involved in an accident must stop his/her vehicle and remain
at the scene of the accident for a reasonable time. However, if the vehicle
or vehicles are obstructing the road or pose a danger to other road users,
the position of the vehicles should be marked and the vehicles moved
off the actual carriageway as quickly as possible.
- A driver involved in an accident must, if requested by a garda, give
his/her name and address, the address at which the vehicle is being
kept, the name and address of the vehicle owner, the vehicle registration
number
and evidence of insurance.
- If no Garda is present , this information must be given to anyone
involved in the accident, or upon request, to an independent witness.
- Where a person or persons are injured and no Garda is present at
the scene, the accident MUST be reported to the nearest convenient
Garda
Station.
- Where property damage only is involved, it is not necessary to report
the accident to the Gardai but the relevant information referred
to above must be given to the person whose property has been damaged.
Accidents involving uninsured or visiting motorists should be reported
to the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland, 3/4 South Frederick Street,
Dublin 2.
Always drive on the left and give way to traffic from the right. |