New road rules to be sent to every household

Every household in the State is to receive a copy of the new Rules of the Road, which was published today.

More than three times the size of its 12-year-old predecessor, the new version reflects the introduction of metric speed limits, penalty points and on-the-spot fines during the intervening period.

It also offers more detailed information on motorway driving, reflecting the growth in the motorway network since 1995. Metric stopping distances and rules where the on-street running of trams are in operation.

Launching the new rules, the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen said: "This 228-page document sets out clearly and concisely the duties, responsibilities and prohibitions which road traffic law imposes upon all road users."

"Road user responsibility and a change in driver attitudes and behaviour, coupled with the implementation of strong road safety policies, is the only way to achieve targeted reductions in road deaths".

Mr Cullen added that the new rules should be read by everyone, not just drivers preparing for a test. The document is to be sent to all 1.7 million households free of charge. It is available to buy from the Government Publications Office and will be in book shops next week.

The language used in the new document has a stamp of approval from the National Adult Literacy Association and makes greater use of illustrations to make explanations simpler. This is to allow the document be read by drivers with a range of literacy, including teenagers and members of Ireland's non-national communities for who English is not a first language.

It will be published in five languages; English, Irish, Polish, Mandarin and Russian.

Reflecting the confusion felt by many Irish motorists using roundabouts - to the extent that 26 drivers have been given penalty points for turning right on to a roundabout - the explanatory section on this aspect of driving has also been increased.

As an example of the more fraught driving experience in 2007 compared with 1995, the updated Rules of the Road also now carries advice on road rage.

The rulebook suggests that the driver "try not to react" and when confronted by a raging motorists and adds that drivers should resist the temptation to "accelerate, brake or swerve".

Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy said today: "The 'Rules of the Road' provides the theory and, if learned and put into practice, provides the foundation for safe driving.

"However, learning the 'Rules of the Road' is not a panacea in terms of enhancing road safety. Driving is a skill developed over a lifetime," he said.

The rules comply with and reflect the Road Traffic Law as at 1st March 2007.