asked the Minister for Local Government if there is any road traffic regulation requiring owners of motor vehicles with a left-hand drive to place a warning notice on the rear of their vehicles; and whether, if no such regulation exists, he will consider making one for this purpose, in view of the number of these vehicles now in use.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Vehicles—Left-Hand Drive.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The driver of a vehicle with a left-hand drive is under the same obligation as other drivers to give the prescribed signals either by hand or by a direction indicator of his intention to other traffic or to members of the Garda Síochána on traffic control duty and it is not considered necessary at the present time to add to the regulations on the subject of signals contained in the General By-Laws for the Control of Traffic, 1937.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a lot of these vehicles have been in use in Northern Ireland or England—they are usually United States Army disposal vehicles—and a number of them have a warning notice printed or painted at the rear of the vehicle pointing out to any road user coming behind that the customary signal cannot be given by that vehicle? I had it brought to my notice that there are a number of these vehicles around Dublin at the moment and certainly no signal of turning to the right can be given by them.
The interpretation of the traffic regulations lies entirely with the courts. Drivers of vehicles are bound to show some signal when turning to the right or in any other direction.
Many of these vehicles have not got a warning device.
Is it mandatory on a motorist to give a signal? Does a motorist really break the law who has not that signal fitted on his car?
Motorists can be convicted in court for not indicating their intention to turn to the right or to the left. Arising from this question, if the driver with a left-hand drive is unable to signal his intention, he should provide some mechanical means of signalling. The matter lies entirely with the courts as to the interpretation of regulations, to which the Minister for Local Government gives consent only.