11 May 2012
Road Safety Authority Issue Guidelines on Placement of Referendum Posters
Specifically, the RSA has advised that referendum posters should not be placed in a way which obscures road signs, particularly those that relate to the Rules of the Road and road user safety. These would include speed limit, junction, warning and road works signs as well as those giving directions.
“The signage on our roads, whether put there by the National Roads Authority, Local Authorities, the Gardaí or construction and road repair teams, are there to ensure the safety of motorists and all road users,” explained Noel Brett, Chief Executive, RSA. “So it is vital that no action is taken that either obscures them or distracts road users from their content.”
It is an offence to erect any sign or notice that makes a traffic sign less visible to road users (Road Traffic Act 1961, Section 95, Subsection 14)
(14) A person shall not provide any such sign, device, notice or light as is not a traffic sign if, on provision thereof, it is visible from a public road and—
(a) it is capable of being confused with a traffic sign,
(b) it makes a traffic sign provided in accordance with this section less visible to road users, or
(c) it obstructs the view of public road users so as to render the road dangerous to them.
Local Authorities are also advised that under the ‘Traffic Signs Manual’ issued by the Department of Transport that action should be taken to deal with obstructions that impede the clear visibility of traffic signs.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Communications Office, Road Safety Authority: 096 25008