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chrisc
9th November 2007, 19:54
Driving in Ireland....
Guide to Driving in Ireland

1. Indicators will give away your next move. A confident Irish driver avoids using them.

2. Under no circumstance should you maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, because somebody else will fill in the space, putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

3. The faster you drive through a red light, the less chance you have of getting hit.

4. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork, especially with LM, DL, CN or KE plates. With no insurance, the other operator probably has nothing to lose.

5. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a vigorous, foot massage as the brake pedal violently pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to strengthen your leg muscles.

6. Never pass on the right when you can pass on the left. It's a good way to prepare other drivers entering the motorway.

7. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as a suggestion and are not enforceable in Ireland during rush hour.

8. Always brake and rubberneck when you see an accident or even someone changing a tyre. This is seen as a sign of respect for the victim.

9. Learn to swerve abruptly without signalling. Ireland is the home of high-speed slalom driving thanks to the Department of Public Works, which puts potholes in key locations to test drivers' reflexes and keep them
alert!

10. It is tradition in Ireland to honk your horn at cars in front of you that do not move three milliseconds after the light turns green.

11. To avoid injury in the event of a collision or rollover, it is important to exit your vehicle through the windscreen right away. Wearing your seat belt will only impede your hi-velocity escape from danger.

12. Remember that the goal of every Irish driver is to get ahead of the pack by whatever means necessary.

13. WARNING! Never come to a complete stop at a stop sign. No one expects it and it will result in you being rear-ended

ITC55
10th November 2007, 00:34
ha ha i love it, sad that its true
Nothing like the fear of a tourist driving in Ireland

Ireland has more Sebastien loeb impersonators per head of population than anywhere else in the world,most of them drive honda civics and such like....next weekend should be fun

J4MIE
10th November 2007, 02:06
Driving in Ireland is very relaxing compared to somewhere like GREECE :eek:

GigiGalliNo1
10th November 2007, 06:35
ahahahahahahaha

Magnus
11th November 2007, 12:35
Wow, that was encouraging... have ordered a car from Dublin airport whcih i will drive to Sligo.

Donney
11th November 2007, 13:11
I have the exact same problem Magnus. I guess we should be scared ;)

bt52b
11th November 2007, 13:14
rules of the road - Republic of Ireland(5.48mb)
http://www.rsa.ie/PUBLICATIONS/upload/File/ROTR_2007.pdf

road safety - Republic of Ireland
http://www.rsa.ie/

some useful info
http://www.theaa.ie/

road safety - Northern Ireland
http://www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk/index.htm

roads service - Northern Ireland
http://www.roadsni.gov.uk/

highwaycode - Northern Ireland (3mb)
http://www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk/index/highwaycode.htm

exploring Ireland when you hire a car
http://www.discoverireland.com/int/ireland-plan-your-visit/getting-around/


Parking - avoid pay and display street parking as they tend to clamp cars when the ticket runs out. Off street and multistorey carparks cost something similar, but you can't get clamped.



Rules of the Road


As of the January 20, 2005, the measurement of speed limits on the Republic of Ireland roads changed from miles per hour (mph) to kilometres per hour (km/h). There has also been significant changes to speed limits on certain roads in the ROI along with some new vehicle speed limits.

Motorists are urged to remember the change of driving laws when crossing the border. New signs in the Republic display the new speed limits in kilometres per hour. However, motorists should also be aware that on some roads permitted speeds are now different to those in Northern Ireland.
Speed Limits (Republic of Ireland)

The maximum speed limits:

Towns and cities 50km/h;[/*:m:228dxzlc]
regional areas and local roads (speeds displayed by white signs) 80km/h;[/*:m:228dxzlc]
national roads (displayed by green signs) 100km/h.[/*:m:228dxzlc]Speed Limits (Northern Ireland)

The maximum speed limits:

Towns and cities 30mph;[/*:m:228dxzlc]
regional/country roads 60mph;[/*:m:228dxzlc]
motorway 70mph.[/*:m:228dxzlc]Signposts

In the Republic, all signposts denoting distance and speed limits are now in kilometres per hour.[/*:m:228dxzlc]
In the Gaeltacht (Gaelic-speaking) areas of the Republic of Ireland, only the Irish/Gaelic versions of place names will be used on road signs and large-scale maps. Smaller scale ordnance survey maps, such as those used by tourists and currently distributed by Tourism Ireland, can carry both Irish and English versions of names. The areas in question are relatively small and with the aid of a good tourist map and the help of friendly locals, visitors should be able to navigate their way around all parts of the country without too much difficulty.[/*:m:228dxzlc]
In Northern Ireland, all signposts and speeds are in miles and place names are displayed in English.[/*:m:228dxzlc]Licence and Insurance

Visitors to Ireland should be in possession of either a full valid national driving licence or an international driving permit issued abroad. These are readily available from motoring organisations in the country of origin. If planning to bring your car to Ireland, please advise your insurance company before travelling.

Donney
11th November 2007, 13:27
Thanks bt52b

ITC55
11th November 2007, 14:26
Have a good Drive over to sligo Donney and magnus, you will be passing my house! you will have great roads for most of your journey(Follow the M4 and N4), which is rare in Ireland, that is once you get out of the traffic in Dublin.
-
Some great stage maps up on Rally ireland website now, atleast we don't have to wait for the Programmes that don't go on sale until thursday
The outlook for the weather doesn't look bad either

Donney
12th November 2007, 11:22
Thanks ITC55, I'll try to drive as safe as possible and pray for my clumsiness not to interfere with the journey.

I'm so excited about this rally.

kobefly
12th November 2007, 15:33
That was funny.
Sadly those are the same rules that apply in Argentinian streets.