In the 12 years since the Rules of the Road was last published Irish roads and Irish society have changed significantly, a factor reflected in yesterday's publication. The changes include:
The previous publication was available in Irish and English. The current one is to be available in Russian, Polish, Chinese, English and Irish.
The new publication includes metric speed limits and stopping distances in line with the changeover of road signposts and speedometers in new vehicles.
There is also a section on how to approach - and not to approach - Luas trams.
A section covers preparation for the National Car Test. The NCT was not a requirement 12 years ago.
The full range of transgressions for which penalty points are given are included.
There is a new section on child seatbelt laws. The chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Gay Byrne (right), commented that many parents carry children in a casual way in which they would not treat a dozen eggs.
Mandatory alcohol testing is included. While driving with excess alcohol was also banned 12 years ago, a garda had to form an opinion that the driver was intoxicated before asking for a breath sample. This is no longer the case. The new publication, at 228 pages, is a book, the older version was officially a "booklet". Attempts to ascertain the number of pages in the booklet were not successful.
The network of motorways and high grade dual carriageway are covered in an expanded section.
A further section deals with driving in tunnels an aspect of Irish driving not envisaged 12 years ago.
Copies are to be available from bookshops from next week, priced €4.