Comments on: Irish Drivers and Indicators

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:45:01 +0000

Listen guys, the main reason why irish driver are shite is because they’re all learners (almost 20% anyway). They never have to turn up for a test and they all jump straight into a car unaccompanied. Why did I ever bother passing my test when I’m forced to share the road with these people? It would be funny but for the fact that so many people are killed by “young” drivers each year. I wonder how many are learners?

By: Sensible Civic Driver

Sensible Civic Driver — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:48:54 +0000

Many people seem to think that using emergency indicators allows them to double park

By: Marius

Marius — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:36:53 +0000

I drove through the whole europe few times and I’m not Irish so I can tell everyone that Ireland becomes more and more mixed country. I’m on Irish roads for 5years now and can’t get used to the drivers who still drive like they where riding a horse yesterday. no offense lads, but no one in europe is indicating the same like in junction. you only indicate on the exit. it have to be easy for everyone. so all the drivers not only Irish could understand. who’s fault that Irish roundabouts are so small that you can only tell by the sign.
another thing is 2 lanes with straight arrows before the junction and only one lane after the junction.
and more: motorway… 2 lanes both ways… does anyone knows which is the overtaking lane? I thought it’s the one on the right… no it’s the one on the left… cause everyone is driving on the right… and try to flash (trying to wake up the driver in front) you’ll get a sign to **** yourself. well attitude on the road is more important.
Would be easier for everyone on the long road if they would drive on lane no1 if it’s clear there.
I have license for 10years now and my advice is to get your full as soon as you can. the longer you drive on provisional the more bad habits you have and harder to get rid of them.

By: John Smith

John Smith — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 01:19:44 +0000

It all goes back to the English occupation where secrecy was paramount in order to confuse the enemy.
For the same reason 95% of all houses don’t have their number displayed, streets don’t have signs that would give their name away and if you ever drive to a rural village, the signposts pointing you there will be completely absent when you come to the next 3 way junction.

By: Disco Chav

Disco Chav — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 15:37:04 +0000

Learner drivers indicating at roundabouts? What? don’t make me laugh. This country’s roundabouts are littered with remnants of torn L-Plates and wrecked dual-control toyota yaris’, abandoned by their once optimistic pilots, now reduced to tears at the prospect of all dat roundness and exiting… learners? hah! A plague on your house JJ! No seriously, roundabouts – it’s the law of fucking jungle I tell thee. Indicators? they’re only for fuckin decoration. Bones (I used to have a teacher called Bones – it’s not you, is it? I’m sorry for all the unpleasantness…), yes it is very complicated but there is hope, there is a way to fight the curse of the round devil… listen up. One. Always look your nemises squarely in the eye (i.e. the person(s) in control of the roundabout). Two. If you going straight through the round devil, DO NOT indicate as you approach (it’s true, just ask Bones) but stay to the LEFT. Three. As you go past your first exit, INDICATE left and piss off there. Four. If you’re goin in but want to get out of the third exit (thats the one far far away), stick to the right as you approach and INDICATE RIGHT ALL THE TIME. When you see your exit, check your mirror, indicate left and be gone. Five. If you’re only going left in the first place (i.e. first exit), INDICATE LEFT ALL THE TIME and stay left as you approach, take you exit and piss off. Simple (yea, right – even if you bothered to read all this shite). But I tell you, its the trooth. I really think though if you’re taking your time, looking around, looking at people and in control of your car, fuck the indicators! who cares! just don’t crash. But do indicate if you can, they are a signal of intent.

By: jj

jj — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:05:04 +0000

the only people you see indicating at round abouts is learner drivers!

By: FJ

FJ — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:24:58 +0000

It’s not just the Irish, the English are just as bad. Don’t bother indicating (leaving the rest of us to guess) and the driving itself is just as shite.

By: Clem Bailey

Clem Bailey — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:46:27 +0000

Niall has a point but remember we Irish have a natural ability to put the brake lights and indicator on at the exact time and we do this without any training what-so-ever ……. X-Factor talent here!!!

By: Bones

Bones — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:19:11 +0000

Actually I have a major issue with Roundabouts that needs addressing. Primarily its the rules of the road vs the “12′oclock Rule”.
I have read the rules of the road [including the new version] only to be frustrated by further mixed signals.

Let me explain:
The pictorials and rules of the road are based on the assumption that all roundabouts are based on a simply cross formation [i.e. exit to left, exit straight ahead, exit to the right]. This is all dandy until you come across a roundabout where there is multiple exits, all after 12′oclock and the third is the main road continuation. [They exist - trust me] The confusion from all drivers is aboe and beyond reason.

Now I have no time for listening to other peoples ‘opinions’ on the matter as I want to know what the facts are regarding this “12′oclock rule” vs the Actual rules of the road. Therefore I contacted the [office of] Minister of Transport who directed me to the [office of] Minster of the environment who finally directed me to the Road Safety Authority. The question was posed and the reponse was as follows:

Q) Which is more correct the 12′oclock rule or the rules as stated in the rules of the road book when dealing with a roundabout where the exists are past 12′oclock.

Ans A) Oh the rules of the road to be sure.

Q) Therefore the 12′oclock rule is nonsense and shouldn’t be followed?

Ans B) Oh.. em… The 12′oclock rule is correct..yes!

Q) But thats a contradiction! Is it not?

Ans C) I would have to redirect to my manager who will contact you by email.

Email arrives: You will get penalty points if you turn right when entering a Roundabout.

GAAAAAhhhhhh!!!

So there you have it. The government don’t know how to use them, The rules of the road have contradictory statements in it, and the local councils refuse to correctly mark out the lanes to people on which they should use.

Having experience of driving on 4 continents over 15 years without incident I doubt that I could be considered a bad driver. My advice therfore is simple:

1) DO NOT OVERTAKE ON ROUNDABOUTS [Primary cause of accidents on roundabouts]

2) Follow the rules of the road and not the “12′oclock rule”. Why? In a court of law the written word is holy! The “12′oclock” rule is not mentioned by name in any official document.

3) Take it easy out there folks. We all like to believe we can give oodles of abuse to the person in the car in front or behind, but remember the next red light may be sooner then you think….

By: maria

maria — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:05:12 +0000

I’ve had so many near crashes on roundabouts due to bad indicating, wrong lanes etc. This isn’t rocket science… Do not go in the lh lane if turning right. Do not go in the rh lane if turning left. Do not indicate left if turning right and do not indicate right if turning left. if going straight ahead do not indicate until just after the last exit before your turnoff. Why is it so difficult. I’ve seen all ages of drivers, taxi drivers and people of both sexes completely cock this up and almost cause accidents. Probably some do. I was following someone a few months ago across 3 roundabouts at each one they indicated left was in the left hand lane and turned right every time… Is this not part of the driving test in Ireland? I now stay behind drivers no matter what, because they could literally go anywhere on the roundabout. it would be a miracle if they actually were in the correct lane and indicating correctly.