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DRIVING - ON THE MOTORWAY

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Print this page DRIVING - ON THE MOTORWAY

Motorways are roads which are designed to provide for faster journey times with greater safety through the separation of traffic and the elimination of road junctions.

GENERAL Motorways may not be used by
• Persons not holding full driving licences for the category of vehicle being driven,
• Vehicles with an engine capacity of 50cc. or less,
• Vehicles incapable of a speed of at least 50km/h (vehicles capable of a speed of 50 km/h may use a motorway whether or not propelled by an internal combustion engine),
• Vehicles which do not use pneumatic tyres,
• Invalid carriages,
• Pedal cyclists,
• Pedestrians,
• Animals.

The Road Traffic General Bye-Laws (Amendment) Regulations 1983 to 1992 deal with driving on motorways. Briefly these Regulations require motorists to drive only in the direction of traffic flow; prohibit the driving on or across any part of the motorway which is not a carriageway; prohibit stopping or parking on any part of the motorway; prohibit driving of any vehicle for which an ordinary maximum speed limit of 50 mph or lower is prescribed (buses, coaches, goods vehicles with a design gross vehicle weight in excess of 3,500 kilograms or a vehicle drawing another vehicle) from driving in the traffic lane nearest the right hand edge of the carriageway except in exceptional circumstances e.g. lane closed or obstructed.

These Regulations also deal with the procedures that must be followed in the event of an accident or breakdown.

Attention is also drawn to the prohibition on picking up or setting down anybody on a motorway.

Driving on the Motorway

JOINING THE MOTORWAY
When you join the motorway by way of a slip road you must give way to traffic already on the motorway. Watch for a safe gap in the traffic in the left-hand lane and adjust your speed as you join the motorway in order to match, as nearly as possible, the general speed of traffic in that lane. Stay in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before attempting to overtake.

ON THE MOTORWAY
You must only drive ahead. No other movement such as turning/reversing is permitted. You must progress at a speed and in such a manner as to avoid undue interference with other motorway traffic.

LANE DISCIPLINE
The normal "keep left" rule applies. This means that you stay in the left hand lane unless you are overtaking. In a three lane carriageway you may stay in the centre lane while there is slower moving traffic on the inner lane. A vehicle drawing a trailer should not use the right-hand lane of a carriageway with three or more lanes except in exceptional circumstances.

OVERTAKING
Overtake on the right only, unless traffic is moving in queues and the traffic queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are. Before you start to overtake, check that the way is clear, (behind and ahead) and signal well in advance.
Remember that traffic may be travelling significantly faster than on ordinary roads.
Be particularly careful at dusk, during darkness, and in foggy or misty conditions when it is more difficult to judge speed and distance. Return to your original lane as soon as possible.

BREAKDOWNS
If your vehicle breaks down, move it off the carriageway on to the hard shoulder. If you have hazard warning lights, switch them on. Goods vehicles should display their warning triangles. Do not attempt to cross or walk on the carriageway. Use the roadside telephone to inform the Gardai. Do not delay in obtaining assistance and do not leave your vehicle unattended for longer than necessary.

If you cannot move your vehicle off the carriageway, take whatever steps you can to warn other drivers of its presence. When rejoining the carriageway, build up your speed first on the hard shoulder. Watch for a safe gap in the traffic before rejoining it.

OBSTRUCTIONS
If you become aware of an obstruction on the carriageway, use the roadside telephone to inform the Gardai. Do not attempt to remove it yourself.

STOPPING AND PARKING
Stopping or parking is not permitted on Motorways. The only exceptions to this rule are -
• If your car breaks down
• When you are signalled to do so by a Garda,
• In emergency situations (accident etc.)

For this reason remember, when undertaking a lengthy motorway journey as for example on United Kingdom or European motorways, you must make sure that your vehicle is fit to cruise at speed, has the correct tyre pressures for motorway driving and enough fuel, oil and water to at least take you to the next service area. You must also ensure that any loads carried or towed are secure.

Finally remember that the slip roads and link roads between motorways may include sharp bends.