WHEREAS by subsection (1) of Section 147 of the Road Traffic Act, 1933 (No. 11 of 1933), it is enacted that the Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána may, with the consent of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, make bye-laws for the general regulation and control of traffic, including all or any of the purposes specified in that sub-section :

NOW I, EAMON BROY, Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sub-section (1) of Section 147 of the Road Traffic Act, 1933 (No. 11 of 1933), and of every and any other power me in this behalf enabling, hereby, with the consent of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health testified by his official seal affixed to these bye-laws, make the following bye-laws, that is to say :—

PART I.

PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL.

1 Short title

1. These bye-laws may be cited as the General Bye-laws for the Control of Traffic, 1937.

2 Interpretation

2. The Interpretation Act, 1923 (No. 46 of 1923), applies to the interpretation of these bye-laws in like manner as it applies to the interpretation of an Act of the Oireachtas.

3 Definitions

3.—(1) In these bye-laws—

the expression " the Act " means the Road Traffic Act, 1933 (No. 11 of 1933),

the word " driving " when used in relation to a vehicle includes managing and controlling, and the word " driver " and other cognate words shall be construed accordingly,

the word " tramcar " means a vehicle as defined in the Act which is constructed or adapted for use on permanent rails laid wholly or mainly on roads,

the word " vehicle " has the same meaning as it has in the Act, save that it does not include a tramcar,

the expression " slow vehicle " means a vehicle which is, by virtue of the next following paragraph of this bye-law, a slow vehicle for the purposes of these bye-laws,

the word " animal " does not include a dog or a cat,the word " traffic " includes vehicles, animals, and tramcars, but does not include pedestrians,

the expression " private property " includes all land adjoining a road and not forming part of such road,

the expression " one-way roadway " means a roadway the traffic on which is for the time being required by order, regulation, rule, or bye-law having the force of law to proceed in one direction only,

the expression " controlled road junction " means a road junction at which the traffic is for the time being controlled by a member of the Gárda Síochána or by signals given mechanically by apparatus erected under the authority of the Act and these bye-laws,

the expression " uncontrolled road junction " means a road junction which is not a controlled road junction,

the expression " pedestrian crossing " means any portion of a roadway at a road junction which is indicated by authorised signs on the surface of such roadway as the portion of such roadway available for use by pedestrians crossing such roadway,

the expression " authorised sign " means any notice, mark, or other sign for the guidance of traffic or pedestrians which is lawfully placed at the side or on the surface of a roadway by the council charged with the maintenance of such roadway,

references to the right side, the left side, the right, the left, or the rear of any person or any vehicle, tramcar, or other traffic or to the right side or the left side of a road in relation to any person or traffic shall be construed with reference to the direction in which such person or traffic is moving or, if such person or traffic is stationary, the direction in which such person or traffic is facing.

(2) For the purposes of these bye-laws each of the following things, and no other thing, shall be a slow vehicle, that is to say :—

(a) on any road, a vehicle propelled or drawn otherwise than by mechanical means, and

(b) on a road in respect of which a special speed limit applicable to all mechanically propelled vehicles is in force, a mechanically propelled vehicle to which an ordinary speed limit less by five or more miles per hour than such special speed limit applies, and

(c) on a road in respect of which no special speed limit applicable to all mechanically propelled vehicles is in force, a mechanically propelled vehicle to which a speed limit (whether a special speed limit in force in respect of such road or an ordinary speed limit) not greater than twenty-five miles an hour applies.

(3) Every expression and word used in these bye-laws to which a particular meaning is given by section 3 of the act shall, save as isotherwise provided by the foregoing paragraphs of this bye-law, have in these bye-laws the meaning given to it by the said Section 3.

PART II.

CONDUCT OF TRAFFIC ON ROADS.

4 General rules for driving vehicles on roadways

4.—(1) Every person driving a slow vehicle on a roadway shall drive such vehicle as near as may be practicable to the left edge of such roadway, save that—

(a) where a slow vehicle on a road on which there are less than four lanes of traffic is passing other traffic either moving in the same direction as such slow vehicle or stationary on the left side of such roadway, such slow vehicle may be driven so much on the rightside of such roadway as may be necessary to pass such traffic, and

(b) a slow vehicle turning out of a roadway into another roadway or into private property or being turned round so as to reverse the direction in which it is facing may be driven on the right side of such roadway to such extent and for such distance as may be necessary for such turning.

(2) Every person driving a vehicle on a roadway shall, when approaching a curve, a road junction, or the summit of a hill or meeting other traffic proceeding in the opposite direction—

(a) where there is an authorised sign consisting of a line along the centre of such roadway, so drive such vehicle that the whole of it is on the left side of such line, and

(b) where there is no such authorised sign and there are four or more lanes of traffic, so drive such vehicle that the whole of it is to the left of the centre of such roadway, and

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing paragraphs of this bye-law—

(a) in a one-way roadway, a vehicle may be driven on any part of such roadway but slow vehicles shall, so far as may be practicable, be driven on the left side only of such roadway ;

(b) when the left side of the roadway is temporarily obstructed (otherwise than by traffic), a vehicle may be driven on the right side of such roadway to such extent and for such distance (if any) as may be necessary for passing such obstruction ;

(c) where the course indicated by an authorised sign conflicts with this bye-law, the course so indicated shall be followed notwithstanding such conflict.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing paragraphs of this bye-law, a vehicle shall not be so driven on a roadway that any part of such vehicle or of the load thereon projects over a footway adjacent to such roadway.

5 Vehicle overtaking another vehicle

5.—(1) Whenever a vehicle (in this paragraph referred to as the overtaking vehicle) is passing on a roadway another vehicle (in this paragraph referred to as the overtaken vehicle) proceeding in the same direction as the overtaking vehicle, the following provisions shall apply and have effect, viz.:—

(a) the driver of the overtaking vehicle shall not pass or attempt to pass the overtaken vehicle in such manner or circumstances as to cause inconvenience to the overtaken vehicle or to any other traffic ;

(b) the driver of the overtaking vehicle shall not, for the purpose of passing the overtaken vehicle, drive the overtaking vehicle on the right side of the centre of such roadway or on the right side of the traffic lane appropriate to the overtaking vehicle unless there is clearly visible to such driver a portion on such roadway which—

(i) is available for the overtaking vehicle, and

(ii) is free from approaching traffic and any obstruction, and

(iii) is sufficient in length and width for the safe completion of such passing, due allowance being made for the possibility of approaching traffic suddenly appearing ;

(c) the driver of the overtaking vehicle shall pass the overtaken vehicle on the right side of the overtaken vehicle and shall not close in towards the left until the passing has been completed and such closing in will not cause inconvenience to the driver of the overtaken vehicle ;

(d) the driver of the overtaking vehicle shall not pass or attempt to pass the overtaken vehicle when approaching a road junction in such circumstances that such passing will not be completed before the overtaking vehicle is within thirty feet of such road junction unless either—

(i) the driver of the overtaking vehicle has a clear view of the traffic at such road junction and the traffic approaching it from every direction and there is no such traffic which would be inconvenienced by such passing, or

(ii) the driver of the overtaking vehicle has been authorised to proceed by a signal lawfully given by a member of the Gárda Síochána or a mechanical traffic control signal ;

(e)the driver of the overtaken vehicle shall give way to the overtaking vehicle and shall for that purpose either (as may be appropriate in the circumstances) drive as closely as is practicable to the left edge of the roadway or keep within the proper traffic lane of the overtaken vehicle ;

(f) the driver of the overtaken vehicle shall not increase the speed of such vehicle until such passing has been completed.

(2) The foregoing paragraph of this bye-law shall apply whenever a vehicle (in this paragraph referred to as the overtaking vehicle) is passing on a roadway a tramcar which is proceeding (whether actually moving or temporarily stationary) in the same direction as the overtaking vehicle, but the said paragraph shall so apply with such modifications as may be rendered necessary by the circumstances peculiar to tramcars or by the subsequent provisions of this paragraph, and in particular with the following modifications, viz.:—

(a) the expression " the overtaken vehicle " shall be construed as meaning the tramcar ;

(b) the driver of the overtaking vehicle may pass the tramcar while it is in motion on whichever side is most convenient in the circumstances ;

(c) the driver of the overtaking vehicle may pass the tramcar on its left side when it is stationary or about to stop if, but only if, either there are no persons entering or leaving or waiting to enter or leave the tramcar or the overtaking vehicle can and does so pass the tramcar that there is a clear space of at least six feet between the right side of the overtaking vehicle and the left side of the tramcar ;

(d) if the tramcar is stationary or about to stop and the overtaking vehicle cannot pass such tramcar on its right and is not entitled under this bye-law to pass such tramcar on its left, the driver of the overtaking vehicle shall keep the overtaking vehicle stationary to the rear of the tramcar until he can pass the tramcar in accordance with this bye-law or the tramcar resumes its forward motion.

6 Turning and crossing at road junctions

6.—(1) The driver of every vehicle turning at or crossing a road junction from a roadway in which there are four lanes of traffic (whether all or any such lanes are or are not indicated by authorised signs on the surface of such roadway) into another roadway or a continuation of the same roadway shall—

(a) if turning to the left at such road junction, approach such road junction in the traffic lane nearest to the left edge of such roadway and while turning keep as close as practicable to the left edge of the roadway ;

(b) if crossing such road junction to proceed straight ahead, approach such road junction in the traffic lane nearest to, but on the left of, the centre of such roadway and pass close to, but on the left of, the centre point of such road junction ;

(c) if turning to the right at such road junction, approach such road junction in the traffic lane nearest to, but on the left of, the centre of such roadway and turn round the centre point of such road junction close to, but on the left of, such centre point ;

(d) if there are authorised signs on the roadway at such road junction or the approach thereto, follow the course indicated by such authorised signs even though such course conflicts with any of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph ;

(e) if there is a member of the Gárda Síochána on traffic control duty at such road junction, comply with the signals given by such member even though such compliance involves a contravention of any of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph.

(2) The driver of every vehicle turning at or crossing a road junction from a roadway in which there are less than four lanes of traffic (whether, in the case of two or three such lanes, all or any such lanes are or are not indicated by authorised signs on the surface of such roadway) into another roadway or a continuation of the same roadway shall—

(a) if turning to the left at such road junction, keep as close as practicable to the left edge of the roadway when approaching and while turning at such road junction ;

(b) if crossing such road junction to proceed straight ahead, approach such road junction so far as practicable on that portion of such roadway adjacent to, but on the left of the centre of such roadway and pass close to, but on the left of, the centre point of such road junction ;

(c) if turning to the right at such road junction, approach such road junction so far as practicable on that portion of such roadway adjacent to, but on the left of, the centre of such roadway and turn round the centre point of such road junction close to, but on the left of, such centre point ;

Diagrams illustrating the courses to be taken by Vehicles at road junctions in conformity with this Bye-law.

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(3) The driver of every vehicle turning from or crossing a roadway into private property shall observe such of the foregoing provisions of this bye-law as are applicable as if the entrance to such private property were a road junction, and such provisions shall apply accordingly with such (if any) modification as may be rendered necessary by the circumstances of the case.

(4) The diagrams annexed hereto are intended only to illustrate the procedure directed by this bye-law and shall not operate to control or affect the construction of any of the provisions of this bye-law.

7 Stopping of vehicles

7.—(1) In this bye-law the word " stop " means to bring to a stand-still and does not mean or include to keep stationary and the words " stopped " and " stopping " shall be construed accordingly.

(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to the stopping of vehicles on a roadway, that is to say :—

(a) during lighting-up hours, the driver of a vehicle shall only stop such vehicle on the left side of such roadway ;

(b) the driver of a vehicle shall only stop such vehicle in a position parallel to and not more than eighteen inches from the edge of such roadway, unless such vehicle is an omnibus and is stopping to take up or set down persons or such vehicle is designed for loading and unloading at the rear thereof and is stopped for the purpose of so loading or unloading ;

(c) the driver of an omnibus, when stopping to take up or set down persons, shall, where practicable, stop such omnibus in a position parallel to and not more than two feet from the left edge of such roadway ;

(d) the driver of a vehicle shall not voluntarily stop such vehicle within thirty feet from a road junction ;

(e) save at the entrance to a building and for good and sufficient reason, the driver of a vehicle shall not keep or leave such vehicle stationary at any point less than one hundred feet from a curve or gradient at which such vehicle would be concealed by such curve or gradient from the driver of any other vehicle approaching such point from any direction ;

(f) the driver of a vehicle shall not keep or leave such vehicle stationary in a position in which it obstructs the entrance from such roadway into private property without the consent of the occupier of such property ;

(g) whenever the driver of a vehicle stops such vehicle at a road junction, either in compliance with a traffic control signal given by a member of the Gárda Síochána or by mechanical means or for the purpose of yielding, in compliance with these bye-laws, the right of way to other traffic, such driver shall not so stop such vehicle as to obstruct a pedestrian crossing.

(3) The foregoing provisions of this bye-law shall not apply to the stopping of a vehicle—

(a) because of an obstruction in such roadway, including an obstruction consisting of a block in the traffic, or

(b) because of a mechanical break-down, accident, or other misadventure occurring in or to such vehicle, or

(d) at the request of a person riding or leading an animal, or

(e) in a place by the margin of the roadway which is not actually used for the passage of vehicles.

(4) Where, because of a mechanical breakdown, accident, or other misadventure, a vehicle is stopped in a position which would, but for such misadventure, be a contravention of this bye-law or which causes an obstruction to traffic, the driver of such vehicle shall take all practicable steps to warn other traffic of the position of such vehicle and shall as soon as possible remove such vehicle from such roadway or to a position in such roadway which would not be a contravention of this bye-law or cause an obstruction to traffic.

8 Turning a vehicle in roadway

8. The driver of a vehicle shall not, in a roadway, turn such vehicle so as to reverse the direction in which it is facing—

(a) in any such place, circumstances, or manner as to obstruct or interfere with other traffic, or

(b) in any such place, circumstances, or manner as to contravene any of these bye-laws, or

(c) without previously indicating (by means of the appropriate signals prescribed by these bye-laws) his intention so to turn such vehicle.

9 The right of way

9.—(1) At a road junction, the driver of any vehicle shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian who is crossing the roadway at a pedestrian crossing.

(2) A pedestrian who is crossing or proceeding along a roadway at any place other than a pedestrian crossing shall yield the right of way to a vehicle proceeding along or across such roadway.

(3) Whenever a vehicle is stationary for the purpose of yielding the right of way to a pedestrian in compliance with this bye-law, the driver of a vehicle approaching such first-mentioned vehicle from the rear thereof shall not pass such first-mentioned vehicle while it is stationary for the said purpose.

(4) Whenever one of the roads forming part of an uncontrolled road junction is a principal or major road, the driver of a vehicle approaching such road junction by any other road forming part thereof which is not a principal or major road shall yield the right of way to all vehicles proceeding in either direction along such principal or major road.

(5) The driver of a vehicle approaching an uncontrolled road junction by a road which is a principal or major road shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching such road junction from a direction on the right of such driver by a road which is also a principal or major road.

(6) The driver of a vehicle approaching an uncontrolled road junction by a road which is not a principal or major road shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching such road junction from a direction on the right of such driver by a road which is also not a principal or major road.

(7) The driver of a vehicle approaching a road junction shall yield the right of way to any vehicle actually turning or crossing at such road junction.

(8) The driver of a vehicle entering a roadway from private property shall yield the right of way to all vehicles proceeding in either direction along such roadway.

(9) The driver of a vehicle approaching an uncontrolled road junction and intending to turn such vehicle to the right shall yield the right of way to a vehicle approaching such road junction from the opposite direction.

(10) Whenever, at an uncontrolled road junction, it is indicated by authorised signs that one or more of the roads forming such road junction is or are a principal or major road or roads, the road or every of the roads so indicated shall be deemed to be a principal or major road for the purposes of this bye-law, and every other road forming part of such road junction shall be deemed for the purposes of this bye-law not to be a principal or major road.

PART III. SIGNALS IN RELATION TO TRAFFIC ON ROADS.

10 Signals by drivers and other persons in charge of traffic

10.—(1) Every person driving a vehicle on a road—

(a) shall, before reducing the speed of or stopping such vehicle or turning such vehicle to the left, give the signal stated at reference number 1 in the Table of Signals at the end of this bye-law, and

(b) shall, before turning such vehicle to the right, give the signal stated at reference number 2 in the said Table of Signals, and

(c) may, for the purpose of inviting other traffic to overtake or pass such vehicle from the rear, give the signal stated at reference number 3 in the said Table of Signals.

(2) Every person driving a vehicle at or approaching a controlled road junction at which there is a member of the Gárda Síochána on traffic control duty—

(a) shall, if intending to proceed straight ahead across such road junction, give the signal stated at reference number 4 in the Table of Signals at the end of this bye-law and

(b) shall, if intending to turn to the left at such road junction, give the signal stated at reference number 5 in the said Table of Signals, and

(c) shall, if intending to turn to the right at such road junction, give the signal stated at reference number 6 in the said Table of Signals.

(3) Whenever the driver of a vehicle is required by this bye-law to give any signal, he may where practicable give, instead of such signal, an equivalent signal by means of a suitable mechanical device fitted to such vehicle, but subject to the restrictions that—

(a) he shall not simultaneously give contradictory or inconsistent signals by the means stated in the Table of Signals at the end of this bye-law and by means of such mechanical device, and

(b) he shall not keep the signal given by such mechanical device in operation after the need for it has ceased.

(4) Whenever a signal is required by this bye-law to be given by the driver of a vehicle, such signal shall be given in such manner as to be clearly visible to the persons for whose benefit it is given and shall be given in such sufficient time before the commencement of the action indicated by such signal, and shall be continued for such duration of time, and shall be of such definite character as to give clear and adequate warning and information to the said persons.

(5) This bye-law shall apply to every person having charge of any traffic (other than a vehicle or a tramcar) on a road as if such traffic were a vehicle and such person were the driver of such vehicle, and every such person shall in all respects comply with this bye-law accordingly.

TABLE OF SIGNALS.

TO BE GIVEN BY DRIVERS OF VEHICLES AND PERSONS IN CHARGE OF OTHER TRAFFIC.

PART I.

SIGNALS TO BE GIVEN TO OTHER ROAD USERS.

Ref. No.	Information or intended action to be indicated.	Signal to be given.
1.	I am going to slow down, or stop, or turn to my left.	Extend the right arm with the palm of hand turned downwards and move the arm slowly upwards and downwards.
2.	I am going to turn to my right.	Extend the right arm and hand fully to the right with the palm to the front and hold them rigid in a horizontal position straight out from the right side of the vehicle.
3.	I am ready to be overtaken.	Extend the right arm and hand fully below the level of the shoulder and move them backwards and forwards.

PART II.

SIGNALS TO BE GIVEN TO MEMBERS OF THE GÁRDA SÍOCHÁNA ON TRAFFIC CONTROL DUTY.

4.	I want to proceed straight ahead.	Extend the forearm and hand towards the front of the vehicle with the fingers pointing directly ahead.
5.	I want to turn to my left.	Point the forearm and hand (with the fingers extended) to the left.
6.	I want to turn to my right.	Extend the right arm and hand fully to the right with the palm to the front and hold them rigid in a horizontal position straight out from the right side of the vehicle.

11 Traffic control signals by Gárdaí

11.—(1) Every person driving a vehicle or having charge of any other traffic on a road shall comply with all signals given to him by members of the Gárda Síochána on traffic control duty on such road or at any road junction on or at either end of such road.

(2) A member of the Gárda Síochána engaged on traffic control duty shall control such traffic by means of the signals stated in the following Table of Signals and shall not give, for any purpose mentioned in the second column of the said Table of Signals, any signal other than the signal stated in the third column of the said Table of Signals opposite the mention of such purpose in the said second column.

TABLE OF SIGNALS.

TO BE GIVEN BY MEMBERS OF THE GÁRDA SÍOCHÁNA ENGAGED ON TRAFFIC CONTROL DUTY.

Ref. No.	Purpose of Signal.	Nature of Signal.
1.	To halt traffic approaching the Gárda from in front of him or from either side.	The Gárda shall face towards the traffic to be halted, and shall extend the right arm and hand at full length above the shoulder with the palm of the hand towards the traffic for which the signal is intended.
2.	To halt traffic approaching the Gárda from behind him.	The Gárda shall extend his left arm and hand horizontally from the shoulder with the back of the hand towards the traffic to be halted.
3.	To halt simultaneously traffic approaching the Gárda from in front of him and traffic approaching him from behind.	The Gárda shall combine the signals set out at reference numbers one and two, that is, he shall extend his right arm and hand at full length above the shoulder with the palm of the hand towards the traffic to be halted in front of him and at the same time extend his left arm and hand horizontally from the shoulder with the back of the hand towards the traffic to be halted behind him.
4.	To bring on traffic which is approaching the Gárda from in front of him or has stopped or been halted by the Gárda in front of him.	The Gárda shall beckon on the traffic with his right hand and forearm which should be raised well above the shoulder.
5.	To bring on traffic which is approaching the Gárda from his right (or left) or has stopped or been halted by the Gárda on his right (or left).	The Gárda shall look towards the traffic for which the signal is intended and beckon it on with the right (or left) hand and forearm, which should be raised well above the shoulder.

12 Traffic control signals given mechanically

12.—(1) The control of traffic at any road junction or any angle or curve in or obstruction on a roadway may be effected by means of mechanical signals consisting of white or coloured lights automatically flashing and occulting at regular intervals in a fixed sequence, and whenever such control of traffic is so effected every person driving a vehicle or having charge of any other traffic shall, while within the scope of such control, comply with all such signals.

(2) The illumination of the several lights constituting a mechanical signal erected under this bye-law for the control of traffic shall operate and have effect as signals having the following significance, viz. :—

(a) the illumination of a red light shall be a signal prohibiting the stream of traffic controlled by such signal from proceeding beyond the stop line on the roadway in front of such signal ;

(b) the illumination of an amber light simultaneously with a red light shall indicate an impending occultation of the red light but shall not alter the prohibitory effect of the illumination of the red light ;

(c) the illumination of a green light shall be a signal that the stream of traffic controlled by such signal may proceed past such signal ;

(d) the illumination of an amber light alone shall be a signal permitting any portion of the stream of traffic controlled by such signal which is, at the beginning of the illumination of such amber light, so close to the stop line on the roadway in front of such signal that it cannot safely stop before crossing that line to proceed past such signal, but prohibiting all other portions of the said stream of traffic from proceeding beyond the said stop line ;

(e) whenever such signal includes a green light in the form of an arrow, the illumination of such green light shall be a signal permitting any portion of the stream of traffic controlled by such signal to proceed past the stop line on the roadway in front of such signal for the purpose of turning to the left immediately in front of or immediately beyond (as the case may be) such signal but for no other purpose.

PART IV.

MISCELLANEOUS.

13 Application of these by-laws to animals

13.—(1) These bye-laws shall apply in relation to every animal (not engaged in the traction of a vehicle) which is being ridden or led along a roadway as if such animal were a vehicle and the person riding or leading such animal were the driver of a vehicle, and every such person shall, relation to such animal, comply with these bye-laws accordingly.

(2) Where an animal or a herd, flock, or other group of animals (not engaged in the traction of a vehicle) is or are being conducted by a person along a roadway without any rein, lead, or other physical connection between such person and such animal or animals, such person shall—

(a) so conduct such animal or animals as to conform so far as may be practicable with the provisions of these bye-laws in relation to the driving of a vehicle on a roadway, and

(b) if there is a footway adjoining such roadway, take all such steps as may be necessary to keep such animal or animals off such footway save when crossing such footway to go from such roadway into private property or from private property on to such roadway, and

(c) take all such precautions as may be practicable to ensure that such animal or animals does not or do not obstruct the passage of other traffic or of pedestrians along such roadway, and

(d) whenever meeting or being overtaken by a vehicle, so conduct such animal or animals as to provide a sufficient passage for such vehicle past such animal or animals.

14 Mechanically propelled vehicles meeting or overtaking animals

14.—(1) The driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle overtaking or meeting an animal (attached or not attached to a vehicle) on a roadway shall reduce the speed of or stop such vehicle if either—

(a) he is requested (by uplifted hand or otherwise) so to do by the person in charge of such animal, or

(b) if such reduction of speed or stopping is reasonably necessary to enable such person to conduct such animal safely while being passed by or passing such vehicle.

(2) A driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle who has reduced the speed of or stopped such vehicle in compliance with this bye-law shall maintain such reduction of speed or keep such vehicle stationary (as the case may be) for so long as may be necessary for safely passing or being passed by such animal.

15 Mechanically propelled vehicles overtaking or meeting horses

15.—(1) The driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle overtaking a horse, or two or more horses, not attached to any vehicle shall overtake and pass such horse or horses on the right and shall, while so passing, leave, if practicable, a clear space of not less than six feet between such vehicle and such horse or the nearest of such horses.

(2) The driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle meeting a horse, or two or more horses, not attached to any vehicle shall, while passing such horse or horses, leave, if practicable, a clear space of not less than six feet between such vehicle and such horse or the nearest of such horses.

16 Crossing of roadway by pedestrians

16. At a controlled road junction a pedestrian—

(a) shall not cross any roadway over which there is a pedestrian crossing except—

(i) by way of such pedestrian crossing, and

(ii) while traffic is prevented from proceeding along such roadway through such road junction, and

(b) shall not cross any roadway over which there is no pedestrian crossing except while traffic is prevented from proceeding through such road junction along the roadway to be crossed by such pedestrian, and

(c) shall not, when crossing a roadway, remain on such roadway for longer than is necessary for passing with reasonable dispatch across such roadway.

17 Use of foot ways by vehicles and animals

17.—(1) Save as is otherwise provided by this bye-law, no person shall drive a vehicle (other than a vehicle propelled by a human being and used solely for the conveyance of one or more children or an invalid) or ride or lead an animal wholly or partly along, across, or otherwise on a footway.

(2) An animal not engaged in the traction of a vehicle may be ridden or led along a footway if the surface of the roadway is of such nature or in such condition as to be dangerous for use by such animal and the following conditions are complied with, viz. :—

(a) such animal is ridden or led on such footway at a walking pace only, and

(b) the person riding or leading such animal has an uninterrupted view of the footway ahead for a distance of not less than one hundred feet, and

(3) A vehicle may be driven or an animal may be ridden or led across a footway from a roadway into private property or from private property on to a roadway for the purpose of bringing such vehicle or animal into or out of such private property.

18 Driving vehicles and riding horses abreast

18.—(1) No person shall drive a vehicle (other than a pedal bicycle) abreast of another vehicle on a roadway save in one of the following circumstances, viz. :—

(a) when meeting such other vehicle, or

(b) when overtaking or being overtaken by such other vehicle, or

(d) on a one-way road of sufficient width to permit of two vehicles proceeding abreast with safety.

(2) No person shall, without reasonable cause, ride a pedal bicycle on a roadway in such manner as to cause more than two pedal bicycles to proceed abreast.

(3) No person shall, without reasonable cause, so ride a horse on a roadway as to cause more than two horses, each of which is being ridden, to proceed abreast.

(4) Where three or more persons ride pedal bicycles or horses abreast in contravention of this bye-law, every of such persons shall be guilty of a contravention of this bye-law.

(5) Whenever two persons are riding pedal bicycles or horses abreast on a roadway, the rider of the right bicycle or horse shall, where practicable, ride such bicycle or horse not more than eight feet from the left edge of such roadway, and shall also, when overtaking, meeting, or being overtaken by a vehicle, ride his bicycle or horse to the rear of the other bicycle or horse unless there would, if he continued to ride abreast of the other bicycle or horse, be a clear space of not less than fifteen feet available for the passage of such vehicle between such rider and the right edge of such roadway.

19 Riding of bicycles in groups

19.—(1) The following provisions shall apply to the riding of pedal bicycles by persons so riding in groups of not less than six bicycles in company on a road on which there are less than four lanes of traffic and which is not situate in a county borough, borough, or urban district (whether the persons constituting such group have come together by mutual arrangement or as a result of the independent action of each of such persons or partly in one way and partly in the other) that is to say :—

(a) the persons constituting any such group shall proceed in processional formation in close order, with not more than two bicycles abreast at any place or time ;

(b) no such group shall contain more than twenty bicycles ;

(c) no such group shall be less than fifty yards from any other such group proceeding in the same direction, such distance being measured from the member of each such group who is nearest to the other such group.

(2) Whenever any provision of the foregoing paragraph of this bye-law is infringed, every member of the group, or of either of the groups concerned shall be deemed to have contravened this bye-law.

20 Persons waiting for public transport

20. Subject to the provisions of any bye-law for the time being in force in relation to the conduct of persons waiting on roads for transport in public service vehicles, no person waiting on a road for transport in public service vehicles shall so wait on the roadway at any place at which a footway adjoining such roadway is available to such person for such waiting.

21 Obligation to comply with authorised signs

21.—(1) Every driver of a vehicle or person in charge of other traffic on a road and every pedestrian on such road shall comply with all authorised signs at the side or on the surface of such road requiring a particular course to be followed or prohibiting the doing of a particular thing, whether such course is required or such thing is prohibited for the general purposes of the Act or for the purposes of any Section or sub-section of the Act or any bye-law made under the Act.

(2) Where the directions given by an authorised sign are inconsistent with these bye-laws, such directions shall be complied with notwithstanding such inconsistency, and such compliance shall not be a contravention of these bye-laws.

22 Saving for general obligation to exercise care

22.—(1) Nothing in these bye-laws shall operate to relieve the driver of any vehicle or the person in charge of any other traffic from the obligation to exercise due care in the management of such vehicle or traffic and to take all such precautions as shall be reasonably necessary or proper for securing the safety of all other traffic and of pedestrians.

(2) Nothing in these bye-laws shall operate to relieve any pedestrian from the obligation to exercise due care and to take all such precautions as shall be reasonably necessary or proper for securing his own safety and the safety of traffic and of other persons using the road.

23 Saving for special by-laws

23. Wherever there is any inconsistency between any of these bye-laws and a bye-law (hereinafter referred to as a special bye-law) made under Section 148, or Section 149, or section 150 of the act, the provisions of such special bye-law, whether made before or after these bye-laws, shall, in relation to the subject matter of such special bye-law and within the area of application thereof, prevail against and over-ride these bye-laws.

Given under my hand this 31st day of July, 1937.

(Signed) Eamon Ó'Bróithe,

Commissioner of the Gárda Síochána.

WHEREAS in pursuance of Section 8 of the Road Traffic Act, 1933 , the Commissioner has submitted the foregoing bye-laws to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health; AND WHEREAS the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 8 have been complied with in relation to the said bye-laws ; NOW THEREFORE the Minister for Local Government and Public Health in exercise of the power conferred on him by Section 147 of the said Act hereby consents to the making of the said bye-laws.

Given under the Official Seal of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health this 26th day of August, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty Seven.

(Signed) Seán T. Ó'Ceallaigh,

Minister for Local Government and Public Health.