Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

668. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of current road safety laws that provide for the passing of cyclists by motorists on roads; and if there is statutory requirement for motorists to leave a safe passing distance when passing cyclists. [16773/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​The legislation in this area is contained in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 182 of 1997) as amended.

Regulation 10 (as amended) of these Regulations sets out the rules for overtaking.  Under Regulation 10(1) it is illegal to overtake, or attempt to overtake, if to do so would cause danger or inconvenience to another person.  As Regulation 10 and its amendments are long and are in the public domain, I shall not list every detail but the Deputy may wish to consult it.

The rules on overtaking in Regulation 10 apply to all overtaking.  There are no specific rules relating to overtaking of cyclists by motorists and there is no statutory passing distance.  The issue of such a distance has been proposed a number of times but An Garda Síochána have stated consistently that specifying a distance in law would be unenforceable.

There is also an offence of careless driving under section 52 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and an offence of dangerous driving under section 53.  A person guilty of dangerous or careless overtaking may be charged under these provisions as well as under Regulation 10.