Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
101. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine the rules surrounding the erection of a rider safety sign; if the rules can be amended in order that signs can be provided for and funded for by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34409/21]
View answer107. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if new rider safety signs can be created and erected to show that a distance of two metres is needed between a driver and a horse to pass at a safe distance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34422/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 107 together.
Traffic signage on Irish roads is designed and installed in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual (TSM), which is a Ministerial directive published by the Department of Transport and is the standard for signing and road marking in this country. All traffic signs must be in conformance with the Traffic Signs Manual.
The existing edition of the Traffic Signs Manual, which was updated in 2019, provides guidance to road authorities on the design and implementation of signage and includes provision for warning signs indicating the possibility of animals on the road, including Accompanied Horses. There are no plans at present for the creation of signage to show that a distance of two metres is needed between a driver and a horse to pass at a safe distance.
The Rules of the Road require that drivers should always take other users of the road into account and look out for pedestrians, cyclists and animals. While traffic signs play an important part in contributing to road safety, signs are only effective when deployed in a consistent and strategic manner. The provision of an excess of traffic signs would ultimately lead to clutter on roadsides and dilute the value and impact of traffic signs.
