Driving In Clare...



• Some of the road signs in County Clare and rural Ireland are quite small and difficult to read. Many are also bilingual with the placename in both English and Irish. Road signs changed to kilometres in 2005 and the speed limits are marked as km - there is still an odd rouge mile sign. Brown coloured signs indicate facilities and amenities of particular interest to tourists.

• The direction signs are coloured differently for road types;
1. Freeways/Motorways = Blue
2. National Primary & Secondary Routes = Green
3. Regional and Local Routes = White


• During summer months there is a lot of farm activity on rural roads, so watch out for trackers and pulling large machinery, these farmers often only travel short distances on the roads so don't be overly eager to try and overtake them. You may also meet farmers out herding, County Clare has many dairy farmers early in the morning and evening are milking times so be on alert. If you meet a heard coming towards you pull in and let them pass - do not try to drive through them!

 

 

• If you are a visitor to Ireland it is important that you are aware of the national speed limits. Driving in excess of the speed limit may result in an on-the-spot fine.

• It is illegal to drive and use a handheld mobile phone while driving in Ireland. If you receive a call find a safe place to stop before answering or get a passenger to take the call.

• Passengers in the front and back seats are required to wear seat belts at all times and children under twelve are not allowed to travel in the front seat.

• In Ireland you can not turn left on a red light.