Traffic signs in Ireland

[koster]

I was in Dublin at the weekend and noticed that the 'give way' sign (red triangle on a white background) over there has the word "yield" written in it.

More confusing, though, was that sometimes, under the word "yield", "right of way" was written under "yield" in smaller letters.

What does this mean? You have right of way but you have to give way?

According to the traffic signs, when the president comes out of his house in Phoenix Park, he has to "yield". The US ambassador, who lives over the road, has to "stop".

[kempie]

The meaning of the sign "Yield right of way" is just that - traffic shall yield right of way to traffic on a major road ahead.

[koster]

So does the sign which says "yield right of way" have exactly the same meaning as the sign which just says "yield"?

[kempie]

Yes. Irish traffic sign regulations list the specification of signage thus:

Traffic sign number RUS 026 shall�

(a) indicate that traffic shall yield right of way to traffic on a major road ahead; and

(b) consist of a red inverted equilateral triangle with rounded corners, the space inside the triangle being coloured white an which shall be shown, in black letters, the words "Yield", "Yield Right of Way', or "G�ill SIP'.

[koster]

Thanks!

[spudqueen]

In the UK the difference between 'Give Way' and 'Stop' is that when it is a Stop sign you have to put your handbrake on.

[doirecormac]

BTW the President is a woman ! They are also looking at updating the road signs for precisely the reason you have asked - some people find the wording very old fashioned and not in tune with modern Ireland....