Table of Contents
Pedestrian and Cycle Paths
A vehicle shall not be driven along or across a footway. This does not apply to a vehicle driven for the purpose of access and egress from a place adjacent to the footway. Driving along a footway, includes reference to driving wholly or partly along a footway.
Where cycle markings are provided, the part of road to which they relate shall be a cycle track. The periods of operation of a cycle track may be indicated on an information plate which may be in accordance with a particular traffic sign. All pedal cycles must be driven on a cycle track where one is provided.
Where a cycle track is one-way, pedal cycles shall be driven in the same direction as traffic on the side of the roadway adjacent to which the cycle track is required to travel. Where a cycle track is two-way, pedal cycles shall be driven as near as possible to the left hand side of each lane.
A mechanically propelled vehicle, other than a mechanically propelled wheelchair, shall not be driven along or across a cycle track. This includes driving wholly or partly along or across a cycle track. The provision does not apply to a vehicle being driven for the purpose of access to or egress from a place adjacent to the cycle track or from a roadway to such a place.
A vehicle shall not be driven along or across a median strip.
Railways
A driver or pedestrian approaching a railway level crossing at which level crossing traffic lights have been provided shall not, while the red lights are flashing, proceed beyond the stop line or barrier or half barrier. Where the driver of a vehicle is approaching a railway level crossing at which there is an amber light, he shall not proceed past the sign or traffic light where such sign is provided in association with the traffic lights, save where the vehicle is so close to the traffic sign that it cannot safely be stopped before passing the traffic signs.
A driver approaching a railway crossing at which there is yellow box shall not enter either totally or partly the area covered by the traffic sign, unless the vehicle can clear the area without stopping, notwithstanding any indication to the contrary given by a traffic signal at the level crossing.
Buses
The local authority may prescribe stands and stopping places for buses. There are general byelaws in relation to the obligations of drivers in the vicinity of bus stops and stands. There are obligations on bus drivers in relation to bus stop areas and signs.
There are rules in relation to taking on and letting of passengers. There are obligations on users of buses in relation to conduct at bus stops and on buses.
Bus Lane
A person shall not enter a bus lane (as indicated by particular traffic signs) with a vehicle other than an omnibus or a pedal cycle during the period of operation of the bus lane which shall be indicated on an information plate. A person shall not enter a contra flow bus lane with a vehicle other than an omnibus. A person shall not enter a bus only street with a vehicle other than an omnibus except for the purpose of access.
There are exceptions for entry or crossing of a bus lane or contra flow solely for the purpose of entering or leaving adjacent premises or entering or leaving a road adjacent to such bus lane in order to load and unload goods. The restriction on entry of the bus lane does not apply to taxis or a wheelchair accessible taxis being used in the course of their business.
Pedestrians & Cyclists
A pedestrian must exercise care and take all reasonable precautions to avoid danger or inconvenience to traffic and other pedestrians. A pedestrian facing a traffic light lamp which shows a red light shall not proceed beyond that lamp. A pedestrian about to cross a roadway at a place where pedestrian lights have been provided shall only do so when the light of the facing pedestrian lights emits a constant green light.
Subject to the below, when crossing a roadway, a pedestrian shall use a footway if one is provided and if one is not provided, shall keep as near as possible to the right edge of the roadway. At a road junction where traffic is controlled by either traffic lights or a member of An Garda Síochána, a pedestrian shall cross the roadway only when traffic going in the direction in which the pedestrian intends to cross is permitted to proceed.
Within a pedestrian crossing complex as indicated by traffic sign, a pedestrian shall only cross the roadway at the location of the “pedestrian crossing” traffic sign. On a roadway on which a “pedestrian crossing” traffic sign has been provided, a pedestrian shall not cross the roadway within 15 metres of the crossing, except by the crossing.
A pedal cyclist shall not drive a pedal cycle on a roadway in such a manner as to result in more than two pedal cyclists driving abreast, save where overtaking other pedal cyclists and then only if to do so shall not endanger, inconvenience or obstruct other traffic or pedestrians. Pedal cyclists on a roadway shall cycle in single file when overtaking other traffic.
Animals
A driver meeting or overtaking an animal on a road shall take all reasonable precautions, including where appropriate, stopping the vehicle, before meeting the animal.
A person in charge of animals which are being driven along a roadway shall take reasonable care to ensure
- that the animals does not obstruct traffic or pedestrians;
- save when being driven to or from land or premises, the animal is not on a cycle track or footway and
- that the traffic overtaking the animal has room to do so in safely.
A person leading or riding a horse on a roadway shall do so on the left side of the road.
During lighting-up hours, a person in charge of animals on a road shall ensure that an adequate warning, which is visible for a reasonable distance, is given to other road users approaching the animals.