Motorways are roads that help reduce journey times by separating traffic and removing road junctions. They are probably the safest way of moving large volumes of traffic, mainly because they remove the risk of head-on collision. However, compared with other types of road, they carry a greater risk of pile ups.

This section covers the rules on who can drive on a motorway, the meaning of
motorway signs and how to join, leave and overtake safely.

General rules

The signs below appear as you are about to enter or join a motorway. The sign
on the left shows that the following must not enter a motorway:

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Joining the motorway

When entering the motorway, exercise care and attention, and yield to traffic on the motorway. You must follow the steps below when joining a motorway.


On the motorway


Using lanes properly

It is very important that you understand the purpose of each lane on a motorway. To help explain how and when to move from one lane to another, each lane is given a number. The picture below shows that lane 1 is the lane nearest the hard shoulder. This is also known as the inside lane. On a two-lane motorway, the lane nearest the central median is lane 2 (also called the outside lane). On a three-lane motorway, this lane is lane 3.

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Lane 1

The normal ?keep left? rule applies. Stay in this lane unless you are overtaking.

Lane 2

On a two-lane motorway, use this for overtaking only and move back into lane 1 when you have finished. You may also use this lane to accommodate traffic merging from the left.

On a three-lane motorway, you may stay in this centre lane while there is
slower moving traffic in lane 1.

Lane 3
 
If you are travelling on a three-lane motorway, you must use this lane only if
traffic in lanes 1 and 2 is moving in queues and you need to overtake or accommodate merging traffic. Once you?ve finished overtaking, move back to your left and allow
faster traffic coming from behind to pass by.

You must not use the lane nearest the central median (lane 2 or lane 3, depending on the motorway width) if you are driving:


You may use it, however, in exceptional circumstances when you cannot proceed in the inner lane because of a blockage ahead. You may also use it if you are at a location on a motorway where a speed limit of 80km/h or less applies.

Keeping your distance
The two second rule helps you keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front. Use this rule on motorways - driving too close hampers your ability to stop safely and significantly reduces your vision ahead.

When in a queue, your instinct may be to get closer to the vehicle in front to
protect your position. Please remember that you must leave enough room in front of you to allow you to stop safely.

Signaling

Once on a motorway, you must make a signal before every move. For example, moving from lane 3 to lane 1 involves two separate stages.


Checking traffic around you

Check your mirrors regularly, as you need to have a constant picture in your mind of what's going on all around you. Be very aware of your blind spots as well.

Avoid staying in other drivers' blind spots. Keep your eyes moving - avoid looking only at the vehicle immediately ahead. Instead, scan up the queue. Use your view to drive smoothly and avoid unnecessary braking. If you notice traffic slowing down sharply, use your hazard warning lights to warn traffic behind you.

Before changing lane, remember ?mirror, signal, mirror, manoeuvre?. Remember that traffic may be coming from behind you at speed. Checking your mirrors at least twice helps you judge this approach speed and will help you to see vehicles travelling in your blind spots.

Avoid causing another driver to brake or change lane to accommodate you while you are on the motorway (aside from joining it). Learn to read the traffic around you. A vehicle in your mirror on the motorway with its right indicator flashing is trying to tell you that it?s catching up on you and intends to overtake your vehicle.

Overtaking

Overtake only on the right, unless traffic is travelling in slow moving queues
and the traffic queue on your right is travelling more slowly than you are. If
you intend to move from a slower lane to a faster lane, adjust your speed first.

Before you start to overtake, remember mirror, signal, mirror, manoeuvre, and look in your blind spots. Check that the way is clear (behind and ahead) and signal well in advance.

Remember that traffic will be travelling a lot faster than on ordinary roads. Be
particularly careful at dusk, during darkness, and in poor weather conditions
when it is more difficult to judge speed, distance and stopping distance. Signal
and return to your original lane as soon as possible.

Gantries

Gantries are structures used to display traffic signs above traffic lanes on
motorways and dual-carriageways. They are common, so make sure you pay attention to them as well as to other signs along the side of the road.

Leaving the motorway

The signs below show the distance to the next exit on a motorway. Plan well ahead and use these signs to position yourself in good time so you can get into lane early.

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When you leave the motorway, you will first enter a deceleration lane. If possible, keep up your speed until you enter this lane, but then slow down and check for signs showing a lower speed limit. Use your speedometer to make sure you are obeying the reduced limit. Remember that the slip roads and link roads between motorways may include sharp bends.

If you miss your exit, drive on to the next exit. You must not attempt to cross
the ghost island or reverse back up the hard shoulder.

Obstructions

If you become aware of something blocking the flow of traffic ahead, use the roadside telephone or a mobile phone to tell the Gardai. Do not attempt to remove it yourself.
      
Tunnels

The general rules of the road and the Road Traffic Acts apply, but specific road
safety issues apply when you are approaching, driving through or leaving a tunnel.

Approaching the tunnel

  • The maximum permissible height will be sign-posted. You must check this before you enter the tunnel.
  • Wide loads may not be permitted. If you are carrying a wide load you must contact the tunnel operators well in advance to see if the load is allowed.
  • Vehicle size - there may be a ban on the use of the right-hand lane in a tunnel by large goods vehicles or other non-passenger vehicles if the number of axles on the vehicle equals or is more than the figure shown on a regulatory sign provided on the approach road to a tunnel.
For detailed information contact the tunnel operator.

In the tunnel

  • a standard speed limit sign applies where there is a fixed speed limit. You must obey the speed limit and remember this is the maximum permitted speed, not therequired speed.
  • where the speed limit can vary you will see variable message signs, which are black squares with red circles and figures in white or yellow throughout the tunnel. The speed limit is shown by the figures and will vary according to traffic conditionsand road safety considerations. You must obey the speed limit and remember this is the maximum permitted speed, not the required speed. ?Always remember the two second rule.

Stopping


Breakdown or a crash


Fire in your vehicle


Fire in another vehicle

If there is smoke or fire in another vehicle, you should :

Leaving the tunnel