Page 368 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

366  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

sign “Yield” (“Géill Slí” in Irish-
speaking areas) – in the UK this
is worded “Give Way”. Throughout
the Republic and Northern
Ireland, brown signs with white
lettering indicate places of
historic, cultural or leisure interest.
Signs in the Republic

Unprotected quay or Junction ahead
river ahead
The familiar sight of a farmer and cattle on an Irish country road
Rules of the Road breath-testing is common,
Driving in Ireland is unlikely to especially at Christmas and on
pose any great problems. For bank holiday weekends.
many, the most difficult aspect of
it is getting used to over taking on Children or school Dangerous bends
the right and giving way to traffic Speed Limits ahead ahead
on the right at roundabouts The maximum speeds are shown
(traffic circles). On both sides of in miles in Northern Ireland and Signs In Northern Ireland
the border, the wearing of seat kilometres in the Republic,
belts is compulsory for drivers except in some rural areas where
and all passengers. Children must they are still in miles. They
have a suitable restraint system. are much the same as those
Motorcyclists and passengers in Britain:
must wear helmets. Northern • 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-
Ireland uses the same Highway up areas. Motorway direction sign
Code as Great Britain. The • 100 km/h (60 mph) on national
Republic of Ireland’s Highway roads and dual carriageways.
Code is very similar – find • 120 km/h (70 mph) on
copies of both at bookstores. motorways.
In the Republic, learner drivers In inner-city Dublin the speed
display an “L” plate, and in limit is 30km/h (20 mph). On Primary route sign
Northern Ireland, cars carrying certain roads, which are clearly Road Conditions
a red “R” plate identify “restricted” marked, the speed limits are
drivers who have passed their either 65 km/h (40 mph) or 80 Roads in Northern Ireland
driving test within the previous km/h (50 mph). Where there is and the Republic are well
12 months and have to keep no indication, the limit is 95 km/h surfaced and generally in
to lower speeds. Random (60 mph). In the Republic, good condition, although
vehic les towing caravans both have many winding
(trailers) must not exceed stretches requiring extra
90 km/h (55 mph). caution. The volume of traffic,
particularly in the South, is
much lower than in rural parts
Directions and of Britain. On some of the
Road Signs
more isolated rural roads
Road signs in the you may not come across
Republic are in both another driver for miles.
English and Irish, and Many sections of Ireland’s
dis tances are shown in national roads have been
kilometres. In the North upgraded to motorways, and
distances are shown there has been extensive
in miles. construction of two-lane
One sign that is carriageways across the country,
unique to the Republic including in remote areas such
A rural road, Dingle Peninsula is the regulatory traffic as County Donegal.

366-367_EW_Ireland.indd 366 25/04/16 11:07 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical (transport) template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 5th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm