Government Hopes That New "Rules Of The Road" Handbook Could Cut Road Deaths

Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, T.D. formally launched a new edition of the Rules of the Road handbook last week. 

The 228-page document, issued under the Road Traffic Acts, has been edited and printed by the Road Safety Authority and copies will be distributed to every household in Ireland.

The new handbook outlines all aspects of road use, good driving practice and road safety.

Rules for motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians are also included.

Changes too in road use and laws since the last edition of the handbook have also been incorporated including the driver theory test; metric speed limits; explanations of the penalty points that are now in place; recent child seat belt laws and rules where the on-street running of trams such as the LUAS are in operation.

Speaking at the launch last week, Minister Cullen said that, "This new publication, which has been approved by NALA the National Adult Literacy Agency, for its use of plain English, contains information that is relevant to all road users.

"It sets out clearly and concisely the duties, responsibilities and prohibitions which road traffic law imposes upon all road users. It also promotes safety and courtesy in the use of our roads.

"Most road users only read the Rules of the Road when faced with the prospect of sitting their driving test, but all road users should be attentive to the need to constantly update their knowledge and skills and to be aware of changes to road traffic legislation.

"Reducing the number of deaths and injuries that occur on Irish roads is a responsibility we all share.

"The Rules of the Road can help us discharge that responsibility. For that reason, a copy of this publication will be sent to the 1.7 million households in the State."

The Minister took the opportunity of the launch to expresse his deep regret at the tragic loss of life on Irish roads over the St. Patrick's holiday weekend.

"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," he concluded. 

The new Rules of the Road book is priced at €4.00 and are available from from the Government Publications Office in Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.

Copies will be available from leading bookshops from this week.

The Rules of the Road will be published in English and Irish and the RSA has plans to translate it into Russian, Chinese Mandarin and Polish.

A sample chapter of the new Rules of the Road can be viewed on the RSA's website at rsa.ie