S.I. No. 181/1997 - Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1997

Type Statutory Instrument
Publication 1997-05-01
Last updated 2024-05-14
State Partially repealed superseded text
Text As published
articles 44

This is the act as published. Later amendments are not folded into the text below: each one is a separate act in this repository and an entry in this law's history.

12 amending acts · 2024-05-14, S.I. No. 200/2024 - Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 2024

Reform history JSON API

The Minister for the environment, in exercise of the powers vested in him by sections 5 and 86 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 (No. 24 of 1961), section 95 of the said Act (as amended by section 6 of the Road Traffic Act, 1968 (No. 25 of 1968) and by section 37 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994 (No. 7 of 1994)), and section 96 of the said Act (as amended by section 6 of the Road Traffic Act, 1968 (No. 25 of 1968)) hereby makes the following Regulations:—

PART I PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL

1 Short Title.

1.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1997.

2 Commencement.

2.

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on 1st day of October, 1997.

3 Interpretation.

3.

3. (1) In these Regulations:—

"the Act of 1961" means the Road Traffic Act, 1961 (No. 24 of 1961);

"the Act of 1968" means the Road Traffic Act, 1968 (No. 25 of 1968);

"the Act of 1994" means the Road Traffic Act, 1994 (No. 7 of 1994);

"access" means entry or exit by vehicles to or from premises adjacent to or accessible only from a road and includes stopping a vehicle on a roadway solely for the purposes of loading or unloading goods on to or from such vehicle from or to such premises;

"buffer area" means an area between two parking bays;

"bus stop sign" means a sign to indicate a stopping place or stand for omnibuses provided under, or in pursuance of, section 86 of the Act of 1961;

"cycle track" means a part of a road including part of a footway or part of a roadway which is reserved for the use of pedal cycles and from which all mechanically propelled vehicles other than mechanically propelled wheelchairs are prohibited from entering except for the purpose of access;

"design" when used in relation to a sign means the layout of the sign and includes the relative size and position of any symbols, figures, letters, or other markings shown thereon;

"disabled persons parking bay'" means a space intended for the parking of a mechanically propelled vehicle in which is displayed a disabled persons parking permit;

"disabled persons parking permit" means a permit granted in accordance with Regulations made under section 35 of the Act of 1994;

"disc parking place" means a place on a public road where the parking of vehicles is subject to the exhibition of a document in accordance with bye-laws made under section 36 of the Act of 1994;

"dual carriageway" means a road, the roadway of which is divided centrally so as to provide two separate carriageways, on each of which traffic is required by a road regulation to proceed in one direction only;

"goods vehicle" means a vehicle used exclusively for carrying goods and taxed for commercial purposes;

"left" and "right" shall be construed with reference to the direction in which traffic is facing;

"loading bay" means that portion of a road indicated by means of a traffic sign on which, at certain times, a vehicle, other than a goods vehicle being used for loading or unloading, shall not be parked;

"meter parking place" means a place on a public road where the parking of vehicles is subject to the payment of fees by means of parking meters;

"one-way roadway" means a roadway, the traffic on which is for the time being required by a road regulation to proceed in one direction only;

"parking bay" means a space in a meter parking place or a disc parking place, or any other place on a public road, intended for the parking of a mechanically propelled vehicle;

"pedestrian crossing" means a portion of the roadway specially marked for use by pedestrians crossing the road;

"regulatory sign" means a sign which indicates the existence of a road regulation or implements such a regulation, or both, or indicates the existence of a provision in an enactment relating to road traffic;

"road" has the meaning assigned to it by section 2 (1) of the Roads Act, 1993 ;

"road regulation" has the meaning assigned to it by section 95(1) of the Act of 1961 (as amended by section 37 of the Act of 1994);

"roadway markings" means markings placed on the surface of the roadway;

"t" appearing on any sign represents one tonne;

"traffic" does not include pedestrians;

"traffic refuge" means a refuge for pedestrians on a roadway provided by a raised pavement, guard posts or similar means;

"traffic sign" has the meaning assigned to it by section 95(1) of the Act of 1961 (as amended by section 37 of the Act of 1994).

4 Revocations.

4.

4. The Regulations specified in the Tenth Schedule are hereby revoked.

PART II REGULATORY SIGN — UPRIGHT

5 Mandatory Signs.

5.

5. (1) Subject to sub-article (3), a mandatory traffic sign shall consist of a blue disc with a white border and appropriate symbols shown in white on the disc, and shall indicate

6 Prohibitory Signs.

6.

6. (1) A prohibitory traffic sign shall consist of a white disc with a red border, appropriate symbols, figures or letters shown in black on the disc, and one or more oblique red bars, and shall indicate any of the following:—

7 Speed Limit Signs.

7.

7. (1) A speed limit sign other than the sign referred to in sub-article (2) shall consist of a white disc with a red border, and with appropriate figures and letters to indicate the relevant speed limit shown in black on the disc, and shall indicate that the built-up area speed limit, a special speed limit, or the motorway speed limit applies in relation to a road or an area,

8 Yields and Stop Signs.

8.

8. (1) Traffic sign number RUS 026 shall—

9 Bus Lanes.

9.

9. (1) Traffic sign number RUS 028 or RUS 029 shall, in association with traffic sign number RRM 023, indicate a bus lane and traffic sign number RUS 030 shall, in association with traffic sign number RRM 023, indicate a contra-flow bus lane.

10 School Warden sign.

10.

10. (1) Traffic sign number RUS 032 shall—

PART III ROADWAY MARKINGS

11 Centre of Roadway .

11.

11. (1) The following traffic signs may be provided along the centre of a roadway:—

12 Traffic Lane.

12.

12. (1) Traffic sign number RRM 003 shall—

13 Directions Arrow.

13.

13. The following traffic signs may be provided on a roadway to indicate the direction or directions in which traffic in a traffic lane must proceed:—

14 Single Yellow Line.

14.

14. Traffic sign number RRM 007 shall—

15 Double Yellow Lines

15.

15. Traffic sign number RRM 008 shall—

16 Loading Bay

16.

16. Traffic sign number RRM 009 shall—

17 School Entrance.

17.

17. (1) Traffic sign number RRM 010 shall—

18 Parking Bays.

18.

18. Traffic sign numbers RRM 01I, RRM 012, RRM 0l3, and RRM 014 shall—

19 Disabled Persons Parking Bay.

19.

19. Traffic sign number RRM 015 shall—

20 Disc Parking Area.

20.

20. (1) Traffic sign number RRM 016 shall indicate a disc parking area.

21 Stop Line.

21.

21. Traffic sign number RRM 017 shall—

22 Yield Line.

22.

22. Traffic sign number RRM 018 shall—

23 No Entry Line.

23.

23. Traffic sign number RRM 019 shall—

24 Box Junction.

24.

24. Traffic sign number RRM 020 shall—

25 Merging and Diverging Marking.

25.

25. (1) Traffic sign number RRM 021 shall indicate an area of roadway into which traffic shall not enter, except in the case of emergency.

26 Cycle Track.

26.

26. (1) Traffic sign number RRM 022 shall—

27 Bus Lane.

27.

27. (1) Traffic sign number RRM 024 shall, in association with traffic sign number RUS 028, RUS 029 or RUS 030, indicate a bus lane.

28 Edge of Roadway.

28.

28. Traffic sign number RRM 025 shall—

29 Left Edge of Motorway.

29.

29. Traffic sign number RRM 026 shall—

30 Right Edge of Motorway.

30.

30. Traffic sign number RRM 027 shall—

31 Access or Exit Lane on Motorway.

31.

31. Traffic sign number RRM 028 shall—

32 Taxi Stand.

32.

32. Traffic sign number RRM 029 shall—

PART IV TRAFFIC SIGNALS

33 Traffic Lights.

33.

33. Traffic sign number RTS 001 shall consist of a set of three lamps which shall comply with the following conditions:

34 ..

34.

34. Traffic sign number RTS 002 shall consist of a set of three lamps which shall comply with the conditions set out in article 33, save that a lamp showing, when lit, a green arrow on a black field shall be substituted for the lamp showing a green light when lit.

35 ..

35.

35. Traffic sign number RTS 003 shall consist of a set of four lamps, three of which shall comply with the conditions in either article 33 or article 34, and the fourth of which shall—

36 ..

36.

36. Traffic sign. number RTS 004 shall consist of a set of three lamps which shall comply with conditions (i), (iv), (vi), and (vii) set out in article 33 and with the following conditions:

37 Level Crossings.

37.

37. (1) Traffic sign number RTS 005 shall be used to control traffic and pedestrians at railway level crossings.

PART V PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

38 ..

38.

38. (1) Traffic sign number RPC 001 shall indicate a pedestrian crossing.

39 Pedestrian Crossing Complex.

39.

39. Traffic sign number RPC 002 shall consist of roadway markings associated with traffic sign number RPC 001 referred to in article 38 together with a pattern of white lines at each side of such markings, the dimensions and design of which shall be as set out in the Eighth Schedule.

40 Pedestrian Crossing Signals.

40.

40. (1) Traffic sign numbers RPC 003 and RPC 004 shall, by mechanical signals, control the crossing of a road by pedestrians.

indicating that pedestrians may cross the road;

indicating that pedestrians shall not cross the road;

PART VI SIGNS AND MARKINGS FOR BUS STOPS

41 Bus Stop Sign.

41.

41. (1) Traffic sign number RUS 031 shall indicate a stopping place or stand for omnibuses provided under, or in pursuance of, section 86 of the Act of 1961.

and shall show the word "BUS" in a light c lour on a dark background.

42 Bus Stop Markings.

42.

42. (1) Subject to sub-article (2), the following are the approved size, form and colour of traffic sign number RRM 030 provided under or in pursuance of section 86 of the Act of 1961 to indicate the area at a stopping place or stand for omnibuses within which vehicles (other than vehicles for which the stopping place or stand is directed under section 85 of the Act of 1961) are not to be stopped or parked:—

PART VII PORTABLE TRAFFIC SIGNS FOR THE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC BY THE GARDA SÍOCHÁNA UNDER SECTION 9I OF THE ACT OF 1961

43 Portable Signs for use by Gardaí

43.

43. The portable signs to be used by the Garda Síochána in exercise of the powers conferred on them by section 91 of the Act of 1961 shall be—

save that the dimensions of the signs may be reduced but so that the diameter of the sign shall not be less than 175 millimetres.

PART VIII SCHOOL WARDENS UNIFORM

44 School Wardens Uniform.

44.

44. The uniform to be worn by a school warden exercising powers under section 96(2) of the Act of 1961 (as amended by section 6 of the Act of 1968), shall consist of a hat and an overcoat and shall include material which is retroreflective.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Mandatory Traffic Signs

Note:

The dimensions shown for traffic sign number RUS 001 are in millimeters, and these dimensions shall apply also to all of the other traffic signs set out in this Schedule

SECOND SCHEDULE

Prohibitory Traffic Signs

Note:

1.

The dimensions shown for traffic sign number RUS 010 are in millimeters, and these dimensions shall apply also to all of the other traffic signs set out in this Schedule.

2.

In the cases of traffic sign numbers RUS 018, RUS 019, and RUS 020, either or both of the arrows may be omitted.

3.

Traffic sign number RUS 019 placed on, or affixed to, a parking meter at a parking bay may be used to indicate that parking is prohibited in that parking bay, and the dimensions of the sign may be reduced but so that the diameter of the sign shall not be less than 150 millimeters.

THIRD SCHEDULE

Speed Limit Signs

Section 1

Section 2

Sign No. RUS 025

to indicate the commencement of a general speed limit

Note:

1.

The dimensions shown for traffic sign number RUS 010 in the Second Schedule shall apply also to the signs shown in section I of this Schedule.

2.

Where traffic sign number RUS 023 is used to indicate that a special speed limit other than one of 40 miles per hour, the speed prescribed by the special speed limit shall be shown on the sign instead of "40" in the same way as the figure "40" is shown in the diagram for the sign.

3.

Where it is desired to repeat the sign along the length of road to which the speed limit applies, the dimensions of the sign may be reduced by one-half.

4.

Where in the opinion of the road authority providing traffic sign No. RUS 025 it is desirable to provide the sign in a reduced size, the dimension of the sign may be reduced by three-eighths.

FOURTH SCHEDULE

Yield and Stop Signs

Note:

1.

The height of the letters in signs RUS 026 shall be 100 mm; the radius of corners shall be 6% of the sign dimension; and the border width shall be one-tenth of the sign height.

2.

The dimensions of the alternative Irish language version of sign number RUS 026 shall be the same as those applying to the English language version.

3.

Where in the opinion of the road authority providing sign RUS 026 it is desirable to provide the sign in a reduced or increased size, the dimensions of the sign may be reduced by 20% or increased by a maximum of 60%, as appropriate.

4.

The words "Right of Way" may be added to the word "Yield" in traffic sign No. RUS 026.

5.

The border width of sign No. RUS 027 shall be one-tenth of the sign height.

FIFTH SCHEDULE

Note:

1.

The dimension shown for traffic sign Nos. RUS 028 and RUS 030 are in millimeters. The dimensions for traffic sign No. RUS 029 shall be the same as RUS 028.

2.

As an alternative a sign of the dimensions shown in brackets may be used.

SIXTH SCHEDULE

School Warden Sign

Note:

The diameter of the sign shall be 450 millimeters [image omitted]

SEVENTH SCHEDULE

Section 1

Traffic sign number RRM 010 - roadway markings to indicate a school entrance, at which part of the roadway, the stopping or parking of a vehicle is prohibited.

Section 2

Section 3

Sign No.. RRM 021

Sign No. RRM 024

EIGHTH SCHEDULE

Roadway markings to indicate a pedestrian crossing complex.

NINTH SCHEDULE

1.

Traffic sign numbers RUS 001A, RUS 004A, RUS 005A and RUS 006A shall consist of a white disc with a red border and

2.

Traffic sign number RUS 009A shall consist of a white disc with a red border and shall contain a black symbol of a bicycle to indicate a cycle track.

TENTH SCHEDULE

REVOCATIONS

Number Title Title Title
S.I. No. 171 of 1962 . Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1962 Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1962 Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1962
S.I. No. 56 of 1964 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1964
S.I. No. 233 of 1966 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1966
S.I. No. 217 of 1969 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1969
S.I. No. 164 of 1970 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1970
S.I. No. 127 of 1971 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1971
S.I. No. 188 of 1971 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1971
S.I. No. 256 of 1971 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations, 1971
S.I. No. 247 of 1974 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1974
S.I. No. 280 of 1975 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1975
S.I. No. 66 of 1977 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1977
S.I. No. 51 of 1979 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1979
S.I. No. 329 of 1979 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1979
S.I. No. 358 of 1980 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Bus Lane) Regulations, 1980
S.I. No. 333 of 1981 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Bus Lane) (Amendment) Regulations, 1981
S.I. No. 276 of 1983 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1983
S.I. No. 182 of 1985 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1985
S.I. No. 292 of 1988 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1988
S.I. No. 205 of 1991 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1991
S.I. No. 183 of 1992 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1992
S.I. No. 113 of 1993 . Road Traffic (Signs) (Bus Lane) (Amendment) Regulations, 1993

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for the Environment this 1st day of May, 1997.

BRENDAN HOWLIN,

Minister for the Environment.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations prescribe regulatory traffic signs, which include upright signs, road markings, traffic lights, and other devices which may be provided on roads, by road authorities, to indicate the existence of a road regulation, to implement such a regulation, or to indicate the existence of a provision in an enactment relating to road traffic.

This document does not substitute the official text published in the Irish Statute Book. We accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies arising from the transcription of the original into this format.

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