CONTENTS

Part 1

Preliminary and General

1. Citation and collective citation

2. Commencement

3. Interpretation

4. Revocations

Part 2

Rules for Traffic

5. Rules for use of a mini-roundabout

6. Prohibition on entry to vehicles

7. Maximum vehicle length

8. Maximum vehicle width

9. Maximum design gross vehicle weight (safety)

10. Maximum vehicle axle loading weight

11. Prohibition on pedal cycles

12. Prohibition on animals

13. Prohibition on animal-drawn vehicles

14. Prohibition on vehicles carrying explosive material (road tunnel)

15. Traffic lane control on a national road or motorway other than in a road tunnel

Part 3

Amendment of Principal Regulations

16. Amendment of Principal Regulations

S.I. No. 332 of 2012

ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC AND PARKING) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 2012

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 7th September, 2012.

I, LEO VARADKAR, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 (No. 7 of 1994) and the National Roads and Road Traffic (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2002 ( S.I. No. 298 of 2002 ) (as adapted by the Transport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2011 ( S.I. No. 141 of 2011 )), hereby make the following regulations:

Part 1

Preliminary and General

Citation and collective citation

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2012.

(2) The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 to 2011, the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 ( S.I. No. 74 of 2012 ) and these Regulations may be cited together as the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 to 2012.

Commencement

2. (1) These Regulations other than the provisions mentioned in paragraphs (2) and (3) come into operation on 1 October 2012.

(2) Part 2 (other than Regulation 15) comes into operation on 1 May 2013.

(3) Paragraphs (f) and (o) of Regulation 16 come into operation on 1 October 2013.

Interpretation

3. (1) In these Regulations-

"Act of 1993" means the Roads Act 1993 (No. 14 of 1993);

"animal" does not include a cat or a dog;

"explosive material" means any article or substance which as presented for transport is liable to or would reasonably be expected to explode, dangerously react, produce a flame or dangerous evolution of heat, or produce dangerous emissions of toxic, corrosive or flammable gases or vapours, in each case, under normal conditions of transport;

"Principal Regulations" means the Road Traffic (Traffic & Parking) Regulations 1997 ( S.I. No. 182 of 1997 );

"Regulations of 1998" means the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 ( S.I. No. 274 of 1998 );

"Regulations of 2006" means the Road Traffic (Control of Traffic) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 638 of 2006 ).

(2) A reference to a traffic sign means a reference to a traffic sign specified in the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997 to 2012 and any number referred to in association with a traffic sign is the number allocated to the sign in those Regulations.

Revocations

4. The following are revoked:

(a) the Road Traffic (Bollards and Ramps) Regulations 1988 ( S.I. No. 32 of 1988 );

(b) the Road Traffic (Bollards and Ramps) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 ( S.I. No. 291 of 1988 );

(c) the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1998 ( S.I. No. 441 of 1998 );

(d) the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 ( S.I. No. 11 of 2005 );

(e) the Road Traffic (Bus Lanes) (Exemption) Regulations 2011 ( S.I. No. 527 of 2011 ); and

(f) the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011 ( S.I. No. 673 of 2011 ).

Part 2

Rules for Traffic

Rules for use of a mini-roundabout

5. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 049 (mini-roundabout ahead) is provided in association with traffic sign number RRM 033 (mini-roundabout installation), a driver of a vehicle when entering the mini-roundabout shall yield to any traffic on the mini-roundabout, turn to the left and, if proceeding around the roundabout, shall do so in the direction indicated by the directional arrows displayed on the traffic signs referred to.

(2) A vehicle shall not be driven, wholly or partly, along or across a mini-roundabout installation where the road marking traffic sign number RRM 033 is provided.

Prohibition on entry to vehicles

6. Where traffic sign number RUS 050 (no entry to vehicles) is provided, a driver of a vehicle shall not proceed beyond the sign.

Maximum vehicle length

7. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 051 (maximum vehicle length) is provided, a driver of a vehicle or combinations of vehicles, the overall length of which exceeds the length displayed on the sign, shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) Article 5 (inserted by article 5 of the Regulations of 1998) of the Principal Regulations does not apply to paragraph (1).

Maximum vehicle width

8. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 052 (maximum vehicle width) is provided, a driver of a vehicle including any trailer, the width of which, including its load, if any, exceeds the width displayed on the sign, shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) Article 5 (inserted by article 5 of the Regulations of 1998) of the Principal Regulations does not apply to paragraph (1).

Maximum design gross vehicle weight (safety)

9. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 053 (maximum design gross vehicle weight (safety)) is provided, a driver of a vehicle, the design gross vehicle weight of which exceeds the weight displayed on the sign, shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) Article 5 (inserted by article 5 of the Regulations of 1998) of the Principal Regulations does not apply to paragraph (1).

Maximum vehicle axle loading weight

10. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 054 (maximum vehicle axle loading weight) is provided, a driver of a vehicle, on which any axle loading weight exceeds the weight specified on the sign, shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) Article 5 (inserted by article 5 of the Regulations of 1998) of the Principal Regulations does not apply to paragraph (1).

Prohibition on pedal cycles

11. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 055 (no pedal cycles) is provided, a person driving a pedal cycle shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) It is not required to apply this Regulation on a public road where section 43 of the Act of 1993 or regulations made under subsection (3) of that section apply or where articles 13 (driving on footway), 16 (median strip) or 45 (pedestrianised streets) of the Principal Regulations apply.

Prohibition on animals

12. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 056 (no animals) is provided, a person who is riding, leading or driving a horse or animal, or who is in charge of a horse or animal, on the road shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) It is not required to apply this Regulation on a public road where section 43 of the Act of 1993 or regulations made under subsection (3) of that section apply.

Prohibition on animal-drawn vehicles

13. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 057 (no animal-drawn vehicles) is provided, a person driving or in charge of an animal-drawn vehicle shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) It is not required to apply this Regulation and to provide traffic sign number RUS 057 on a public road where section 43 of the Act of 1993 or regulations made under subsection (3) of that section apply.

Prohibition on vehicles carrying explosive material (road tunnel)

14. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 062 (no vehicles carrying explosive material (road tunnel)) is provided at or near the entrance to a road tunnel, a driver of a vehicle carrying explosive material shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) Article 5 (inserted by article 5 of the Regulations of 1998) does not apply to paragraph (1).

Traffic lane control on a national road or motorway other than in a road tunnel

15. Where traffic sign number RVMS 101 (traffic lane control) is provided above a traffic lane on a national road or motorway other than at a location to which Regulation 3 of the Regulations of 2006 applies, a driver of a vehicle proceeding in the traffic lane above which such sign is provided-

(a) may, when a green arrow pointing downwards in a vertical direction aspect is illuminated on the sign, proceed or continue to do so in the traffic lane beneath the downward green arrow signal,

(b) shall not, when a red cross aspect is illuminated on the sign, proceed past such sign in the traffic lane beneath the red cross signal, and

(c) shall-

(i) when a green arrow pointing downwards and inclined to the left aspect is illuminated on the sign, or

(ii) when a green arrow pointing downwards and inclined to the right aspect is illuminated on the sign,

proceed to move into the adjacent traffic lane in the direction indicated by the arrow signal illuminated on the sign, but shall not drive from one traffic lane to another without yielding the right of way to traffic in the other lane.

Part 3

Amendment of Principal Regulations

Amendment of Principal Regulations

16. The Principal Regulations are amended-

(a) in article 4(1) (as amended by Regulation 7 of the Regulations of 2006)-

(i) by substituting for the definition of "appointed stand" the following:

" "appointed stand" has the meaning assigned to it by section 84 (inserted by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 (No. 12 of 2002)) of the Act of 1961;",

(ii) by substituting for the definition of "bus-only street" the following:

" "bus-only street" means a street or a portion of a street at each entrance to which is provided traffic sign number RUS 011 (no straight ahead) accompanied by an information plate to indicate that vehicles, other than large public service vehicles, pedal cycles and vehicles entering for access only, are prohibited from entering that street;",

and

(iii) by inserting after the definition of "footway" the following:

" "footway build out" means part of the footway is built out to extend into the adjoining roadway;",

(b) in article 5(3) (inserted by article 5 of the Regulations of 1998) by substituting for paragraphs (b) and (c) the following:

"(b) a vehicle being used in connection with the carrying out of roadworks or the removal of any spillage, fallen power lines or other hazard from the road;

(c) a vehicle being used by a local authority, the National Roads Authority, or their agents, in connection with the provision or maintenance of a traffic sign or public lighting, the collection of refuse or the sweeping, cleaning or gritting of a public road, footway or cycle track;",

(c) in article 8, by substituting for sub-articles (5) and (6) the following:

"(5) At a junction of 2 roads at which traffic sign number RUS 027 (stop), RUS 026 (yield / Géill Slí), RRM 017 (stop line), RRM 018 (yield line) or any traffic sign indicating which of the roads is the major road has not been provided, the driver of a vehicle approaching that junction shall-

(a) where the road on which he or she is driving terminates at the junction, yield the right of way to traffic and pedestrians on the other road, or

(b) where the road on which he or she is driving does not terminate at the junction, yield the right of way to traffic and pedestrians approaching the junction from the right on the other road.

(6) A driver of a vehicle approaching a zebra pedestrian crossing where traffic sign number RPC 001 (zebra pedestrian crossing) is provided shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian who has commenced crossing the road at the zebra pedestrian crossing.",

(d) in article 10-

(i) by inserting after sub-article (3) the following:

"(3A) The end of the prohibition applying in respect of a stretch of roadway under sub-article (3) is indicated by the provision of traffic sign number RUS 014 accompanied by an information plate containing the word "Críoch/END".,

and

(ii) by substituting for sub-article (5) the following:

"(5)(a) A driver (other than a pedal cyclist) may only overtake on the left-

(i) where the driver of the vehicle about to be overtaken has signalled an intention to turn to the right and the driver of the overtaking vehicle intends, after overtaking, to go straight ahead or turn to the left,

(ii) where the driver of the overtaking vehicle intends, after overtaking, to turn to the left at the next road junction and has signalled this intention, or

(iii) in slow-moving traffic, when vehicles in the traffic lane on the driver"s right are moving more slowly than the overtaking vehicle,

(b) A pedal cyclist may overtake on the left where vehicles to the pedal cyclist"s right are stationary or are moving more slowly than the overtaking pedal cycle, except where the vehicle to be overtaken-

(i) has signalled an intention to turn to the left and there is a reasonable expectation that the vehicle in which the driver has signalled an intention to turn to the left will execute a movement to the left before the cycle overtakes the vehicle,

(ii) is stationary for the purposes of permitting a passenger or passengers to alight or board the vehicle, or

(iii) is stationary for the purposes of loading or unloading.",

(e) by substituting for article 14 (inserted by article 6 of the Regulations of 1998) the following:

"Cycle tracks

14. (1) A cycle track shall be indicated by-

(a) traffic sign number RUS 009 (with-flow cycle track) provided in association with traffic sign number RRM 022 (continuous white line) or RRM 023 (broken white line) which latter signs may be marked on the right hand edge of the cycle track or on the right hand and left hand edges of the cycle track,

(b) traffic sign number RUS 059 (contra-flow cycle track) provided in association with traffic sign number RRM 022 (continuous white line) which may be marked on the right hand edge of the cycle track or on the left hand edge of the cycle track or on both sides, or

(c) traffic sign number RUS 058 (shared track for pedal cycles and pedestrians).

(2) The periods of operation of a cycle track may be indicated on an information plate which may be provided in association with traffic sign number RUS 009, RUS 059 or RUS 058.

(3) Where a cycle track, provided by traffic sign number RUS 009 in association with traffic sign number RRM 022 (continuous white line) or RRM 023 (broken white line), is two-way, pedal cycles shall be driven as near as possible to the left hand side of each lane.

(4) A pedal cycle shall be driven on a cycle track where-

(a) a cycle track is provided on a road, a portion of a road, or an area at the entrance to which traffic sign number RUS 021 (pedestrianised street or area) is provided, or

(b) a cycle track is a contra-flow cycle track where traffic sign number RUS 059 is provided and pedal cycles shall only be driven in a contra-flow direction on such track.

(5)(a) A mechanically propelled vehicle, other than a mechanically propelled wheelchair, shall not be driven along or across a cycle track on the right hand edge of which traffic sign number RRM 022 has been provided, save for the purposes of access to or egress from a place adjacent to the cycle track or from a roadway to such a place.

(b) A reference in paragraph (a) to driving along or across a cycle track shall include a reference to driving wholly or partly along or across a cycle track.

(6) Where a vehicle is parked on that part of a road in relation to which traffic sign number RUS 009 is provided in association with traffic sign number RRM 022 or RRM 023 or traffic sign number RUS 059 is provided in association with traffic sign number RRM 022 or at a place where traffic sign number RUS 058 is provided, in advance of the commencement of the period indicated on an information plate which may accompany traffic sign number RUS 009, RUS 059 or RUS 058, the parking of the said vehicle shall cease and the vehicle shall be removed from that part of the road prior to the commencement of that period save where article 5(5) applies.

(7)(a) A shared track shall be indicated by the provision of traffic sign number RUS 058 (shared track for pedal cycles and pedestrians) and the design displayed on the particular traffic sign number RUS 058 that is provided will indicate if the shared track is a non-segregated track where there is no visual or physical segregation of use between pedestrians and persons driving pedal cycles or if the shared track is a segregated track with a continuous white line on the track or a barrier provided along the length of the track signifying a separate area for use by persons driving pedal cycles and an adjoining separate area for use by pedestrians.

(b) At a location where traffic sign number RUS 058 indicates that a shared track is non-segregated, as described in paragraph (a), pedestrians and persons driving pedal cycles may use that track.

(c) At a location where traffic sign number RUS 058 indicates that a shared track is segregated, as described in paragraph (a), persons driving pedal cycles shall only use the area of the track that is designated on the sign for use by them and pedestrians shall only use the area of the track that is designated on the sign for use by them.

(d) A mechanically propelled vehicle, other than a mechanically propelled wheelchair, shall not be driven along or across a shared track where traffic sign number RUS 058 is provided, save for the purposes of access to or egress from a place adjacent to the shared track or from a roadway to such a place.

(e) A reference in paragraph (d) to driving along or across a shared track shall include a reference to driving wholly or partly along or across a shared track.

(f) The end of a prohibition or of a restriction under this sub-article shall be indicated by the provision of traffic sign number RUS 058 accompanied by an information plate specifying the word "Críoch/END".

(g) In this sub-article, "pedestrians" includes any person using a wheelchair, mechanically propelled, or otherwise.",

(f) by substituting for article 17 the following:

"Weight restriction on vehicles entering a road

17. (1) Where traffic sign number RUS 015 (maximum design gross vehicle weight - traffic management) is provided at the entrance to a road, the driver of a vehicle, the design gross vehicle weight of which exceeds the weight specified on the sign, shall not proceed beyond the sign.

(2) Sub-article (1) does not apply where it is necessary for a vehicle to enter a road solely for the purpose of gaining access to or egress from premises accessible only from that road.",

(g) by substituting for article 22 (as amended by Regulation 7 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 ( S.I. No. 98 of 2003 )) the following:

"Mandatory signs at junctions

22. Where traffic sign number RUS 004 (must maintain direction), traffic sign number RUS 005 (must turn right) or traffic sign number RUS 006 (must turn left) is provided, traffic shall proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow shown on the sign.",

(h) in article 23, by substituting for sub-article (3) the following:

"(3)(a) Traffic sign number RUS 011 referred to in sub-article (1) shall be accompanied by an information plate which shall-

(i) indicate the periods in which restrictions

apply, and

(ii) where the restrictions are not to apply to certain classes of vehicles, indicate such.

(b) Traffic sign number RUS 012 or traffic sign number RUS 013 may be accompanied by information plates which shall indicate the periods in which restrictions apply or shall indicate that the restrictions are not to apply to certain classes of vehicles.",

(i) in article 24(1), by deleting "or RUS 001A",

(j) in article 25, by inserting after sub-article (4) the following:

"(5) Notwithstanding the reference to "provided in parallel" in sub-articles (1) and (3), the traffic signs referred to may be provided other than equal distance apart.

(6) Nothing in this article shall so operate as to prevent a driver from driving along a roadway, where traffic sign number RRM 001 (continuous white line) has been provided, where due to the width or length or both of the vehicle in relation to the road lane width, and where the vehicle is not engaged in an overtaking manoeuvre, it is necessary to straddle or marginally cross that sign.",

(k) by inserting after article 27 the following:

"Temporary use of orange coloured roadway markings at roadworks

27A. At a place on a public road where roadworks are being carried out and temporary road markings are being provided, the lines or arrows displayed by traffic sign numbers RRM 001, RRM 002, RRM 003, RRM 004, RRM 005, RRM 006 or RRM 021 referred to in articles 25 to 27, shall be orange coloured markings instead of white.",

(l) by substituting for article 29 (as amended by Regulation 2 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 ( S.I. No. 404 of 2004 )) and articles 30, 31 and article 32 (as amended by the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1998 ( S.I. No. 441 of 1998 )) the following:

"Box junctions

29. (1) Subject to sub-article (2), where traffic sign number RRM 020 (yellow box) is provided on a public road or at a junction between one or more roads or at a junction between one or more roads and a light railway (whether the junctions are controlled by traffic sign number RTS 001, RTS 002, RTS 004 or RTS 013 (traffic lights), or otherwise) and notwithstanding any indication to the contrary that may be given by such traffic signs, a driver of a vehicle shall not enter, either partly or wholly, the cross-hatched area unless the vehicle can clear the area without stopping.

(2) Sub-article (1) does not apply where the driver of a vehicle intending to make a right hand turn at a junction enters the cross-hatched area for that purpose.

(3) Where traffic sign number RRM 020 is provided in a traffic lane at the end of an adjacent bus lane, where traffic sign number RUS 028 or traffic sign number RUS 029 used in association with traffic sign number RRM 024 are provided, to facilitate the drivers of vehicles exiting the bus lane to enter the adjacent traffic lane, a driver of a vehicle, other than a driver of a vehicle that is exiting the bus lane, shall not enter, either partly or wholly, the cross-hatched area unless the vehicle can clear the area without stopping.

Traffic lights

30. (1) Where traffic sign number RTS 001, RTS 002, RTS 003, RTS 004 or RTS 013 (referred to in these Regulations as "traffic lights") is provided, a person shall not drive a vehicle past the traffic lights, or past traffic sign number RRM 017 (stop line) where such sign is provided in association with the traffic lights when the red lamp of the traffic light is illuminated.

(2) A driver of a vehicle approaching traffic lights in which a non-flashing amber light is illuminated, shall not drive the vehicle past the traffic lights, or past traffic sign number RRM 017 (stop line) when such sign is provided in association with the traffic lights, save when the vehicle is so close to the traffic lights that it cannot safely be stopped before passing the traffic lights or traffic sign number RRM 017.

(3)(a) A driver of a vehicle facing traffic sign number RTS 001, RTS 002, RTS 003 or RTS 013 in which the green lamp is illuminated may proceed beyond the traffic lights, or beyond traffic sign number RRM 017 (stop line) if such traffic sign is provided in association with the traffic lights, provided no other road user is endangered and subject to compliance with the relevant provisions of articles 8 and 29.

(b) When traffic lights contain green lamps which indicate a directional arrow, a driver of a vehicle wishing to proceed in accordance with paragraph (a) in the direction indicated by the arrow may only do so when such lamp is illuminated.

(4) Where an amber lamp in traffic sign number RTS 001 is illuminated on an intermittent basis, a driver of a vehicle may only proceed past the traffic light or where traffic sign number RRM 017 (stop line) is provided in association with traffic lights, past such sign, where right of way is yielded to any pedestrian who has commenced crossing the roadway at the traffic lights.

(5) Where traffic sign number RTS 004 is provided in advance of traffic sign number RUS 026 (yield / Géill Slí) or traffic sign number RRM 018 (yield line) or both, a driver of a vehicle may proceed past the traffic light when the amber light at the lower level of the lights is illuminated on an intermittent basis subject to compliance with the provisions of article 21.

(6) The expression-

(a) "redlamp" in sub-article (1) includes a red lamp on traffic sign number RTS 002 which, when illuminated, indicates a red directional arrow, a red directional U-Turn arrow or the word "BUS", in red,

(b) "non-flashingamber light" in sub-article (2) includes non-flashing amber lamps on traffic sign number RTS 002 which, when illuminated, indicate an amber directional arrow, an amber directional U-Turn arrow or the word "BUS", in amber, and includes a non-flashing amber lamp on traffic sign number RTS 004 which, when illuminated, indicates an amber directional arrow, and

(c) "greenlamp" in sub-article (3) includes green lamps on traffic sign number RTS 002 which, when illuminated, indicate a green directional arrow, a green directional U-Turn arrow or the word "BUS", in green.

Level crossings

31. (1) A driver or pedestrian approaching a railway level crossing, a swing bridge or a lifting bridge at which traffic sign number RTS 005 (level crossing traffic lights) has been provided shall not, while the red lamps are flashing, proceed beyond traffic sign number RRM 017 (stop line) or barrier or half barrier where such line, barrier or half barrier is provided, or otherwise beyond traffic sign number RTS 005.

(2) A driver of a vehicle or pedestrian approaching a railway level crossing, a swing bridge or a lifting bridge at which traffic sign number RTS 005 has been provided and in which a non-flashing amber light is illuminated, shall not proceed past that sign or past traffic sign number RRM 017 (stop line) where such sign is provided in association with the traffic lights, save when the vehicle is so close to the traffic sign that it cannot safely be stopped before passing traffic sign numbers RTS 005 or RRM 017.

(3) A driver approaching a railway level crossing, a swing bridge or a lifting bridge at which traffic sign number RRM 020 (yellow box) has been provided shall not enter either totally or partly the area covered by the traffic sign unless the vehicle can clear the area without stopping, notwithstanding any indication to the contrary given by a traffic signal at the level crossing or bridge, as the case may be.

Bus Lanes

32. (1)(a) A bus lane shall be indicated by means of traffic sign number RUS 028 or traffic sign number RUS 029 used in association with traffic sign number RRM 024.

(b) A contra-flow bus lane shall be indicated by means of traffic sign number RUS 030 used in association with traffic sign number RRM 024.

(2) A person shall not enter a bus lane with a vehicle other than a large public service vehicle or a pedal cycle during the period of operation of the bus lane indicated on an information plate.

(3) A person shall not enter a contra-flow bus lane with a vehicle other than a large public service vehicle or a pedal cycle.

(4) A person shall not enter a bus-only street with a vehicle other than a large public service vehicle or a pedal cycle except for the purpose of access.

(5)(a) Sub-articles (2) and (3) do not apply to a vehicle crossing a with-flow bus lane or a contra-flow bus lane solely for the purpose-

(i) of entering or leaving premises or property adjacent to such a bus lane, or

(ii) of entering or leaving a road inset adjacent to such a bus lane in order to load or unload goods.

(b) Sub-article (2) does not apply to-

(i) a taxi or a wheelchair accessible taxi which is being used in the course of business, or

(ii) a vehicle authorised and identified in accordance with sub-article (6), being driven by a driver authorised under that sub-article, in which is being carried, a member of the Government, a Minister of State who regularly attends meetings of the Government, the Attorney General or the Ceann Comhairle, in the course of his or her duties as such.

(6) The Minister may-

(a) authorise vehicles and drivers for the purposes of the exemption from this article contained in sub-article (5)(b)(ii), and

(b) specify the form of identification to be attached to the windscreen of a vehicle to which that exemption applies.

(7) Vehicles and drivers authorised under the Road Traffic (Bus Lanes) (Exemption) Regulations 2011 ( S.I. No. 527 of 2011 ) shall be deemed to be authorised under sub-article (6).",

(m) by substituting for article 35 and article 36 (as amended by article 7 of the Regulations of 1998) the following:

"Ban on U-turns

35. A vehicle being driven on a dual-carriageway or other road that has a central reserve or traffic island must not change direction of travel at a location where traffic sign number RUS 017 (no U-turn) has been provided.

Prohibitions on parking

36. (1) Save as otherwise provided for in these Regulations and subject to article 5 a vehicle shall not be parked on a public road at a location, in a manner or for a purpose, referred to in sub-article (2).

(2) A vehicle shall not be parked-

(a) on that side of a section of roadway along the edge of which traffic sign number RRM 008 (double yellow lines) has been provided,

(b) on a section of roadway where traffic sign number RUS 019 (no parking sign) has been provided, during the period indicated on the information plate accompanying such traffic sign,

(c) within 5 metres of a road junction,

(d) on a section of roadway with less than 3 traffic lanes and where traffic sign number RRM 001 (continuous white line) has been provided,

(e) on a section of roadway where traffic sign number RUS 020 (taxis), in association with RRM 029 (appointed stand), has been placed to indicate that an appointed stand has been provided,

(f) in any place, position or manner that will result in the vehicle obstructing, delaying or interfering with the entrance to or exit from a fire brigade station, an ambulance station or a Garda station,

(g) in any place, position or manner that will result in the vehicle obstructing an entrance or an exit for vehicles to or from a premises, save with the consent of the occupier of such premises,

(h) within 15 metres (on the approach side) or 5 metres (on the side other than the approach side) of a section of roadway if there is no footpath build-out and where any of the following traffic signs have been provided-

(i) traffic sign number RPC 001 (zebra pedestrian crossing),

(ii) traffic sign number RPC 002 (zig-zag pedestrian crossing lines) associated with RPC 001 (zebra pedestrian crossing), RPC 003 or RPC 004 (pedestrian crossing signals), or

(iii) traffic sign numbers RTS 001, RTS 002, RTS 003, RTS 004 or RTS 013 (traffic lights),

(i) on a footway, a grass margin or a median strip,

(j) on a part of a roadway which is a casual trading area, during hours of trading, unless the vehicle is for the time being in use for the purposes of casual trading,

(k) in a manner in which it will interfere with the normal flow of traffic or which obstructs or endangers other traffic,

(l) where traffic sign number RUS 031 (bus stop) or RRM 030 (stopping place or stand) has been provided unless the vehicle is a large public service vehicle,

(m) in a cycle track where traffic sign number RUS 009, RUS 058 or RUS 059 is provided, or

(n) on a stretch of roadway with less than 3 traffic lanes where traffic sign number RUS 014 (no overtaking) has been provided.",

(n) in article 37(3)(b), by substituting for subparagraph (ii) the following:

"(ii) A large public service vehicle parked in accordance with paragraph (a) shall not be parked for a period exceeding one hour from the commencement of such parking or shall not be parked for a period exceeding any other period of time in excess of one hour applying at a specified period or periods during any day which is indicated on an information plate.",

(o) in article 38(1)(a), by substituting "maximum design gross vehicle weight" for "unladen weight",

(p) in article 39(3) by substituting "a large public service vehicle" for "omnibus",

(q) in article 42, by substituting for sub-article (2) the following:

"(2) A goods vehicle being used for loading or unloading shall not be parked in a loading bay-

(a) where a period of time is indicated on an information plate provided on traffic sign number RRM 009, for any further period in excess of that period, or

(b) where no such information plate is provided, for a period exceeding 30 minutes.",

(r) in article 46-

(i) by substituting for sub-article (2) the following:

"(2) A pedestrian facing a traffic light lamp which shows a red light shall not proceed to cross the roadway.",

and

(ii) by substituting for sub-articles (6) and (7) the following:

"(6) On a roadway where traffic sign number RPC 001 (zebra pedestrian crossing) is provided or where that sign is provided in association with traffic sign number RPC 002 (zig-zag pedestrian crossing lines) a pedestrian shall only cross the roadway at the location of traffic sign number RPC 001.

(7) On a roadway on which traffic sign number RPC 001 (zebra pedestrian crossing) has been provided, a pedestrian shall not cross the roadway within 15 metres of the crossing except by the crossing.",

and

(s) by substituting for article 47 (as amended by Regulation 3 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011 ( S.I. No. 673 of 2011 )) the following:

"Pedal cyclists

47. (1) A pedal cyclist shall not drive a pedal cycle on a roadway in such a manner as to result in more than 2 pedal cyclists driving abreast, save when overtaking other pedal cyclists, and then only if to do so will not endanger, inconvenience or obstruct other traffic or pedestrians.

(2) Pedal cyclists on a roadway shall cycle in single file when overtaking other traffic.

(3) A pedal cyclist facing traffic sign number RTS 006 or RTS 007 (cycle traffic lights) in which one lamp is lit and which shows a symbol of a pedal cycle in green, may proceed beyond that traffic sign provided no other road user is endangered.

(4) Where traffic sign number RTS 006 or RTS 007 (cycle traffic lights) is provided, and a lamp in that traffic sign is lit and shows a symbol of a pedal cycle in red, a person shall not drive a pedal cycle past the traffic sign.

(5) Where traffic sign number-

(i) RTS 006 is provided and a lamp in the traffic sign is lit on an intermittent basis showing a symbol of a pedal cycle in green, or

(ii) RTS 007 is provided and a lamp in the traffic sign is lit showing a symbol of a pedal cyclist in amber,

a pedal cyclist may not cross the road unless he or she has begun to do so while a lamp showing a symbol of a pedal cycle in green is lit on a constant basis.

(6) Where an amber lamp in traffic sign number RTS 007 is lit on an intermittent basis, a person driving a pedal cycle may only proceed past the cycle traffic light where right of way is yielded to any pedestrian who has begun to cross the roadway or the cycle track at the traffic lights.".

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

3 September 2012.

LEO VARADKAR,

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation)

These Regulations provide for new Road Traffic and Parking Regulations (i.e. additional rules of the road) that may be applied, from 1 May 2013, by road authorities to provide for the control of traffic in public places in respect of maximum length/width/weight/axle-loading of vehicles; to regulate in respect of persons in charge of animals; animal-drawn vehicles; vehicles carrying explosives (tunnels); use of mini-roundabouts; traffic lane control (other than in road tunnel) and pedal cyclists.

Part 3 of the Regulations amend, from 1 October 2012, provisions of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 to 2011. The main amendments include updating the regulation applying to the use of a yellow box-yielding right of way; overtaking (new provision for pedal cyclists); use of traffic lights; level crossings (existing regulation to apply also to lifting or swing bridges); temporary orange road markings may be used at roadworks; consolidation of regulation on prohibitions on parking; new and amended requirements for use of cycle tracks (only use of contraflow cycle track and of any cycle track in pedestrianised area is mandatory); consolidation of regulation provisions of 1997-2011 for use of bus lanes (including change in law to permit pedal cyclists to use contra-flow bus lanes and bus-only streets) and consolidation of the regulatory rules of 1997-2011 for pedal cyclists.

At present the weight threshold to apply restrictions for entry or parking of large vehicles is based on unladen weight but from 1 October 2013, this will be based on design gross vehicle weight.