Prometna pravila i sigurnost - Irska

Korištenje sigurnosnih pojaseva i sustava za sigurnosno vezivanje djece je OBVEZNO (Direktiva 91/671/EEZ kako je izmijenjena).

The use of seat belts is not compulsory for:

• People who wear a disabled person’s belt;
• People whose doctor have certified that, on medical grounds, they should not wear a safety belt;
• Driving instructors or driver testers during a lesson or a test;
• Police (Gardaí) and members of the Defence Forces on duty;

The only exemptions to restraining a child in an appropriate child restraint are:

• Children under 150cm or 36kgs travelling in a taxi.

The sequence of traffic lights in Ireland is green, amber, red and green again.

Red light: “stop” - do not go beyond the stop line at the light or, if there is no stop line, beyond the light.

Green light: go on if the way is clear - take special care and give way to pedestrians who are crossing, if you turn left or right.

Green arrow (also known as the filter light): you may move on in the direction of the arrow, assuming it is safe and the way is clear, even if a red light is also showing. Always look out for emergency vehicles that may be responding to an incident using blue lights and sirens.

Amber light: do not go beyond the stop line or, if there is no stop line, beyond the light, unless you are so close to the line or the light that stopping would be dangerous.

Flashing amber light: you may proceed only if it is safe to do so and, if appropriate, yield to other traffic.

Flashing amber arrow: you may proceed in the direction of the arrow but only if it is safe to do so, and you must yield if other traffic is approaching.

Failure to obey traffic lights could result in 2 penalty points and a fine of up to €120, or 5 penalty points and a fine on conviction.

Standard drivers Maximum penalties on conviction for drink or drug driving is €5 000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

Novice drivers Maximum penalties on conviction for drink or drug driving is €5 000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

Professional drivers Maximum penalties on conviction for drink or drug driving is €5 000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.

Forbidden drugs

THC (cannabis)

Methylamphetamine

MDMA (ecstasy)

The current Road Traffic Act (RTA) does not mention any specific drugs and relies on the evidence of impairment of the driver by the police (Garda) and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety Certificate of analysis for the presence of a drug or drugs. The term used in RTA is “intoxicant” and defined as alcohol and drugs and any combination of drugs or of drugs and alcohol. The RTA does not distinguish between illicit drugs and licit drugs which can be prescribed medications or over the counter medications.

The consideration of driving capacity or safety is the core element rather than the legal status of the drug.

Currently the Bureau analyses for the presence of the following drugs or class of drugs:

• Cannabinoids
• Opiates
• Benzodiazepines
• Amphetamines
• Metamphetamines
• Cocaine
• Methadone

All traffic drives on the left in Ireland.

Motorways

• Drivers must only drive ahead. No turning or reversing is permitted.
• Drivers must progress at a speed and in a way that avoids interference with other motorway traffic.
• Drivers must not drive on any part of the motorway that is not a carriageway – for example a hard shoulder – except in an emergency.
• Drivers must not stop or park on any part of the motorway unless their vehicle breaks down or they are signalled by the police (Garda) to do so.
• Drivers must not drive a type of vehicle that is restricted to a maximum vehicle speed limit of 90 km/h or less in the traffic lane nearest the centre median of the motorway (the outside, or overtaking lane), except where the general speed limit is 90km/h or less.
• Drivers must not pick up or set down anybody on a motorway.
• Drivers must keep in the left lane of a motorway unless overtaking.

Roundabouts

By law, drivers must enter a roundabout by turning to the left. Drivers must treat the roundabout as a junction and give right-of-way to traffic already on it (coming from the right). If the driver is unfamiliar with driving on the left hand side of the road, roundabouts may pose a particular risk (the driver should take extra care).