Irish Road Markings
Discussion
I have recently returned from a holiday in Eire and while there I noticed that on many stretches of rural road they paint a single solid white line down the centre of the road. This solid white line will then seemingly randomly change to the "hazard" lines and "lane separation" lines that we are familiar with in the UK. At first I assumed it was a substitute for the solid double white line of the double white line system we use in the UK but changed my mind after I noticed "return arrows" on a couple of occasions on the opposite carriageway alongside the single solid white line. Also, in Eire, the solid double white line system is often signed with a "Do Not Pass" sign at the beginning of the solid double white lines and an "End of Do Not Pass" sign where the solid double white lines end and the single solid white line then re-starts.
Can any of our Irish friends enlighten me as to the symbolic and/or legal consequences of this single solid white line in the centre of the road. No one that I asked in (rural) Eire had an answer!
Can any of our Irish friends enlighten me as to the symbolic and/or legal consequences of this single solid white line in the centre of the road. No one that I asked in (rural) Eire had an answer!
Edited by johnao on Sunday 16th May 22:30
Edited by johnao on Sunday 16th May 22:31
I think I know the lines you are talking about, when on holdiay I've always treated them as lane seperation lines which allow you to overtake but like yourself I have no real idea of the implications of them.
As for the locals not knowing that doesn't surprise me at all. I have found the Irish attitude to driving and the rules and regulations of the road to be very relaxed especially in more rural areas, it's not a bad thing, in fact I prefer driving in Ireland, it's just very different to England.
As for the locals not knowing that doesn't surprise me at all. I have found the Irish attitude to driving and the rules and regulations of the road to be very relaxed especially in more rural areas, it's not a bad thing, in fact I prefer driving in Ireland, it's just very different to England.
I emailed Garda traffic Bureau about this and this is their reply:
"Single or double continuous white lines in the centre of the road are of equal importance and mean you must keep to the left ie. no overtaking/passing unless in an emergency or for access.
For future trips to Ireland you can access the Rules of the Road on www.rsa.ie
Garda National Traffic Bureau."
The website www.rsa.ie is useful and comprehensive and reiterates the ruling given in the email reply. But none of this explains why they sometimes position "End of DO NOT PASS" signs at the end of a solid double white line section which is then immediately followed by a single solid white centre line against which you must also not pass or overtake.
Oh well, it will probably forever remain a mystery!
"Single or double continuous white lines in the centre of the road are of equal importance and mean you must keep to the left ie. no overtaking/passing unless in an emergency or for access.
For future trips to Ireland you can access the Rules of the Road on www.rsa.ie
Garda National Traffic Bureau."
The website www.rsa.ie is useful and comprehensive and reiterates the ruling given in the email reply. But none of this explains why they sometimes position "End of DO NOT PASS" signs at the end of a solid double white line section which is then immediately followed by a single solid white centre line against which you must also not pass or overtake.
Oh well, it will probably forever remain a mystery!
As hooperpride said there's a more laid back attitude to motoring rules and regulations in Ireland. The additional noise and furniture (more lines, signs, etc) are there just to re-reinforce the message: no overtaking. Generally to be found in dangerous spots like junctions, or where there have been accidents before.
As far as I'm aware the only bit of Irish legislation regarding this is for single white lines. I don't remember reading about anything fancier, like double lines. The single whites are perhaps different from the UK in that they law says they may never be crossed, regardless of circumstance (??). See www.irishstatutebook.ie if you're really interested.
As far as I'm aware the only bit of Irish legislation regarding this is for single white lines. I don't remember reading about anything fancier, like double lines. The single whites are perhaps different from the UK in that they law says they may never be crossed, regardless of circumstance (??). See www.irishstatutebook.ie if you're really interested.
Edited by ShiresV2 on Thursday 20th May 15:59
Bump...
Off to Ireland soon and just trying to get my head around their different approach to white lines.
In the UK, we sometimes have long hazard lines that resemble continuous lines, but are not. An example of this is the Hindhead Tunnel. As I understand it, lane changing is permitted (with caution advised by the line length, of course).
In Ireland they have similar, such as here, but I'm not clear what the intent is in this case, especially since they use single and double white lines interchangeably. My guess is it's meant to be a solid white line.
Off to Ireland soon and just trying to get my head around their different approach to white lines.
In the UK, we sometimes have long hazard lines that resemble continuous lines, but are not. An example of this is the Hindhead Tunnel. As I understand it, lane changing is permitted (with caution advised by the line length, of course).
In Ireland they have similar, such as here, but I'm not clear what the intent is in this case, especially since they use single and double white lines interchangeably. My guess is it's meant to be a solid white line.
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