Road Traffic Act, 1961

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Number 24 of 1961.


ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961.


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Preliminary And General

Section

1.

Short title.

2.

Commencement.

3.

Interpretation.

4.

Application to persons and vehicles in the service of the State.

5.

General provisions with respect to regulations.

6.

Approval of bye-laws made by the Commissioner.

7.

Proof of certain bye-laws and rules.

8.

Finance.

9.

Disposal of fees and fines.

10.

Repeals.

PART II

General Provisions relating To Vehicles

11.

Regulations in relation to use of vehicles in public places.

12.

Maximum weights.

13.

Special permits for particular vehicles.

14.

Weight unladen.

15.

Weighbridges.

16.

Requirements with respect to weighing.

17.

Expenses of extraordinary traffic.

18.

Tests of mechanically propelled vehicles.

19.

Production of test certificate on demand.

20.

Powers of occasional examination, inspection and test.

PART III

Driving Licences

21.

Licensing authority.

22.

Application for driving licence.

23.

Grant of driving licence.

24.

Signing of driving licence by grantee thereof.

25.

Period during which driving licence has effect.

26.

Consequential disqualification orders.

27.

Ancillary disqualification orders.

28.

Special disqualification orders.

29.

Removal of disqualification under consequential or ancillary disqualification order.

30.

Operation of disqualification order.

31.

Disqualifications related to age.

32.

Disqualification on grounds of health.

33.

Certificates of competency.

34.

Certificates of fitness

35.

Provisional licence.

36.

Order for endorsement in case of conviction, disqualification order or removal of disqualification.

37.

Transfer of endorsement to new licence.

38.

Prohibition on driving without driving licence.

39.

Prohibition on applying for driving licence when disqualified.

40.

Production of driving licence on demand by member of Garda Síochána.

41.

Writing of signature on demand by member of Garda Síochána.

42.

Regulations under Part III.

43.

Transitional provisions (Part III).

PART IV

Speed Limits

44.

Ordinary speed limits.

45.

Built-up area speed limits.

46.

Special speed limits.

47.

Offence of exceeding speed limit.

PART V

Driving Offences

48.

Driving mechanically propelled vehicle when unfit.

49.

Driving mechanically propelled vehicle while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug.

50.

Being in charge of mechanically propelled vehicle while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug.

51.

Driving animal-drawn vehicle or pedal cycle while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug.

52.

Careless driving.

53.

Dangerous driving.

54.

Driving of dangerously defective vehicle.

55.

Parking vehicle in dangerous position.

PART VI

Compulsory Insurance Of Mechanically Propelled Vehicles

56.

Obligation to be insured or guaranteed.

57.

Fine in lieu of damages and imprisonment in addition to damages.

58.

Vehicle insurer.

59.

Vehicle guarantor.

60.

Exempted person.

61.

Deposits by vehicle guarantors and exempted persons.

62.

Approved policy of insurance.

63.

Approved guarantee.

64.

Fraud in obtaining policy or guarantee.

65.

Excepted persons

66.

Certificate of insurance and certificate of guarantee.

67.

Effect of certificate of insurance or guarantee.

68.

Certificate of exemption.

69.

Production of certificate on demand.

70.

Obligation to deliver up certificate.

71.

Obligation of insured or principal debtor to give notice of accident.

72.

Obligation of user of vehicle to give notice of accident.

73.

Obligation to give information as to insurance.

74.

Amendment of Assurance Companies Act, 1909.

75.

Regulations in relation to certificates, keeping of records and giving of information.

76.

Miscellaneous provisions in relation to insured or guaranteed moneys.

77.

Application and repayment of deposit.

78.

Provisions relating to Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland.

79.

Exception of pedestrian-controlled vehicles.

80.

Special provisions for non-residents.

81.

Transitional provisions (Part VI).

PART VII

Control And Operation Of Public Service Vehicles

82.

Regulations in relation to control and operation of public service vehicles.

83.

Annual inspection and verification of taximeters.

84.

Bye-laws in relation to stands for street service vehicles.

85.

Stopping places and stands for omnibuses.

86.

Bye-laws with respect to stopping places and stands for omnibuses.

87.

Property left in public service vehicle.

PART VIII

Regulation Of Traffic

88.

Bye-laws for the general control of traffic and pedestrians.

89.

Bye-laws for the control of traffic and pedestrians in specified areas.

90.

Parking of vehicles on public roads.

91.

Control of traffic when there is event attracting large assembly, etc.

92.

Prevention of obstruction of traffic by fairs and markets.

93.

Protection of bridges from excessive burdens.

94.

Closing of particular roads to vehicles.

95.

Traffic signs.

96.

Patrol of places where school-children cross public roads.

97.

Vehicle left or abandoned on public road.

98.

Prohibition of obstruction of traffic.

99.

Prohibition of unauthorised holding or getting on to vehicles.

100.

Cyclists holding on to other vehicles.

101.

Provision of car parks by local authorities.

PART IX

Miscellaneous

102.

General penalty.

103.

Special provision applying where certain offences are alleged to have been committed.

104.

Notice of offence.

105.

Evidence of speed.

106.

Duties on occurrence of accident.

107.

Duty to give information on demand by member of Garda Síochána.

108.

Right to demand name and address of pedal cyclist.

109.

Obligation to stop.

110.

Disposition of vehicle on arrest of person in charge.

111.

Identification of member of Garda Síochána.

112.

Taking vehicle without authority.

113.

Unauthorised interference with mechanism of vehicle.

114.

Limitations on periods of continuous driving.

115.

Penalty for false declaration, etc.

116.

Liability of Minister for Finance for negligent use of mechanically propelled vehicle.

117.

Extension of personal liability for negligent use of mechanically propelled vehicle.

118.

Liability in respect of person using mechanically propelled vehicle with consent of owner.

119.

Reimbursement of hospitals.

120.

Promotion of road safety

121.

Calculation of passenger accommodation of mechanically propelled vehicles.

122.

Keeping and use of petroleum.

123.

Extended power of making regulations in relation to application for licence under Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952.

124.

Restriction on section 23 of Criminal Justice Act, 1951.

125.

Saving for indictment for nuisance.

126.

Saving for general power of Commissioner.

127.

Modification of Motor Car (International Circulation) Act, 1909.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Enactments Repealed

SECOND SCHEDULE

Offences under this Act involving Consequential Disqualification Orders


Acts Referred to

Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1958

S.I. No. 13 of 1958

Road Traffic Act, 1933

1933, No. 11

Documentary Evidence Act, 1925

1925, No. 24

Roads Act, 1920

1920, c. 72

Road Transport Act, 1932

1932, No. 2

Road Transport Act, 1933

1933, No. 8

Probation of Offenders Act, 1907

1907, c. 17

Licensing Act, 1872

1872, c. 94

Offences Against the Person Act, 1861

1861, c. 100

Insurance Act, 1936

1936, No. 45

Assurance Companies Act, 1909

1909, c. 49

Weights and Measures Act, 1889

1889, c. 21

Weights and Measures Act, 1928

1928, No. 3

Weights and Measures Act, 1904

1904, c. 28

Interpretation Act, 1937

1937, No. 38

Statutory Instruments Act, 1947

1947, No. 44

Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878

1878, c. 52

Local Government Act, 1946

1946, No. 24

Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1896

1896, c. 54

Local Government Act, 1925

1925, No. 5

Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851

1851, c. 93

Fatal Injuries Act, 1956

1956, No. 3

Health Act, 1947

1947, No. 28

Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952

1952, No. 24

Criminal Justice Act, 1951

1951, No. 2

Motor Car (International Circulation) Act, 1909

1909, c. 37

Motor Car Act, 1903

1903, c. 36

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Number 24 of 1961.


ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1961.


AN ACT TO MAKE PROVISION IN RELATION TO MECHANICALLY PROPELLED AND OTHER VEHICLES, THE REGULATION AND CONTROL OF ROAD TRAFFIC AND THE USE OF MECHANICALLY PROPELLED VEHICLES FOR THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, TO MAKE PROVISION FOR COMPULSORY INSURANCE AGAINST LIABILITIES ARISING FROM THE USE OF MECHANICALLY PROPELLED VEHICLES, TO REPEAL THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, 1933 , AND CERTAIN OTHER ENACTMENTS, TO AUTHORISE CERTAIN CHARGES AND TO MAKE PROVISION FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE MATTERS AFORESAID. [29th July, 1961.]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:—