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Road Traffic Act, 1961 (No. 24)Introductory TextActs Referred toPart I Preliminary and general (ss. 1-10)1. Short title.2. Commencement.3. Interpretation.4. Application to persons and vehicles in the service of the State.5. General provisions with respect to regulations.6. Approval of bye-laws made by the Commissioner.7. Proof of certain bye-laws and rules.8. Finance.9. Disposal of fees and fines.10. Repeals.Part II General Provisions relating to Vehicles (ss. 11-20)11. Regulations in relation to use of vehicles in public places.12. Maximum weights.13. Special permits for particular vehicles.14. Weight unladen.15. Weighbridges.16. Requirements with respect to weighing.17. Expenses of extraordinary traffic.18. Tests of mechanically propelled vehicles.19. Production of test certificate on demand.20. Powers of occasional examination, inspection and test.Part III Driving Licences (ss. 21-43)21. Licensing authority.22. Application for Irish driving licence.22A. Disqualification for applying for Irish driving licence or learner permit if disqualified for holding such.22B. Prohibition on applying for another Irish driving licence or learner permit in respect of a licence or permit already held in respect of vehicle.23. Grant of Irish driving licence.23A. Recognition of foreign driving licences.23B. Recognition of foreign driving licences held by certain persons.23C. Automatic revocation of driving licence where holder is subject of deportation order23D. Endorsement of revocation of driving licence on license record relating to holder23E. Retention of revoked driving licence by member of Garda Síochána 24. Signing of driving licence by grantee thereof.25. Period during which driving licence has effect.26. Consequential disqualification orders.27. Ancillary disqualification orders.28. Special disqualification orders.29. Removal of disqualification under consequential or ancillary disqualification order.30. Operation of disqualification order.31. Disqualifications related to age.32. Disqualification on grounds of health.33. Certificates of competency.34. Certificates of fitness.35. Provisional licence.35A. Offences by owner of mechanically propelled vehicle driven by another person36. Order for endorsement in case of conviction, disqualification order or removal of disqualification.37. Transfer of endorsement to new licence.38. Prohibition on driving without driving licence.39. Prohibition on applying for Irish driving licence or learner permit where disqualified.40. Production of driving licence on demand by member of Garda Síochána.41. Writing of signature on demand by member of Garda Síochána.42. Regulations under Part III.43. Transitional provisions (Part III).Part IV Speed Limits (ss. 44-47)44. Ordinary speed limits.44A. General speed limit.44B. Motorway speed limit.45. Built-up area speed limits.46. Special speed limits.47. Offence of exceeding speed limit.Part V Driving Offences (ss. 48-55)48. Driving mechanically propelled vehicle when unfit.49. Driving mechanically propelled vehicle while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug.50. Being in charge of mechanically propelled vehicle while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug.51. Driving animal-drawn vehicle or pedal cycle while under influence of intoxicating liquor or drug.51A. Driving without reasonable consideration.52. Careless driving.53. Dangerous driving.54. Driving of dangerously defective vehicle or a combination of vehicles.55. Parking vehicle in dangerous position.Part VI Compulsory Insurance of Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (ss. 56-81A)56. Obligation to be insured or guaranteed.56A. Obligation to supply vehicle insurer or certain intermediaries with certain information56B. Transitional provision (section 56A)57. Fine in lieu of damages and imprisonment in addition to damages.58. Vehicle insurer.59. Vehicle guarantor.60. Exempted person.61. Deposits by exempted persons.62. Approved policy of insurance.63. Approved guarantee.64. Fraud in obtaining policy or guarantee.65. Excepted persons.66. Certificate of insurance and certificate of guarantee.67. Effect of certificate of insurance or guarantee.68. Certificate of exemption.69. Production of certificate on demand.69A. Insurance of certain vehicles entering the State.69B. Insurance of certain trailers towed by a vehicle69C. Dispatch of vehicles70. Obligation to deliver up certificate.71. Obligation of insured or principal debtor to give notice of accident.72. Obligation of user of vehicle to give notice of accident.72A. Notice of accident involving vehicle temporarily in the State.73. Obligation to give information as to insurance.74. Amendment of Assurance Companies Act, 1909.75. Regulations in relation to certificates, keeping of records and giving of information.76. Miscellaneous provisions in relation to insured or guaranteed moneys.77. Application and repayment of deposit.78. Provisions relating to Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland.78A. Vehicle insurers to provide details of motor insurance policies.78B. Recovery of sums paid by Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland.79. Exception of pedestrian-controlled vehicles.80. Special provisions for non-residents.81. Transitional provisions (Part VI).81A. Non-application of Part to motorsports events, etc.Part VII Control and Operation of Public Service Vehicles (ss. 82-87)82. Regulations in relation to control and operation of public service vehicles.83. Annual inspection and verification of taximeters.84. Bye-laws in relation to stands for street service vehicles.85. Stopping places and stands for omnibuses.86. Bye-laws with respect to stopping places and stands for omnibuses.87. Property left in public service vehicle.Part VIII Regulation of Traffic (ss. 88-101D)88. Bye-laws for the general control of traffic and pedestrians.89. Bye-laws for the control of traffic and pedestrians in specified area.90. Parking of vehicles on public roads.91. Control of traffic when there is event attracting large assembly, etc.92. Prevention of obstruction of traffic by fairs and markets.93. Protection of bridges from excessive burdens.94. Closing of particular roads to vehicles.95. Traffic signs.96. Patrol of places where school-children cross public roads.97. Removal of vehicles abandoned or unlawfully parked.98. Prohibition of obstruction of traffic.99. Prohibition of unauthorised holding or getting on to vehicles.100. Cyclists holding on to other vehicles.100A. Driver of powered personal transporter holding on to other vehicle101. Provision of car parks by local authorities.101A. Control of vehicles by bollards and ramps.101B. Immobilisation of unlawfully parked vehicles.101C. Control of access to and egress from construction sites by vehicles.101D. Roadworks.Part IX Miscellaneous (ss. 102-127)102. General penalty.103. Special provision applying where certain offences are alleged to have been committed.104. Notice of offence.105. Evidence of speed.106. Duties on occurrence of accident.107. Duty to give information on demand by member of Garda Síochána.108. Right to demand name and address of pedal cyclist.109. Obligation to stop.109A. Powers of Garda Síochána in relation to dangerous driving110. Disposition of vehicle on arrest of person in charge.111. Identification of member of Garda Síochána.112. Taking vehicle without authority.113. Unauthorised interference with mechanism of vehicle.114. Limitations on periods of continuous driving.115. Penalty for false declaration, etc.116. Liability of Minister for Finance for negligent use of mechanically propelled vehicle.117. Extension of personal liability for negligent use of mechanically propelled vehicle.118. Liability in respect of person using mechanically propelled vehicle with consent of owner.119. Reimbursement of hospitals.120. Promotion of road safety.121. Calculation of passenger accommodation of mechanically propelled vehicles.122. Keeping and use of petroleum.123. Extended power of making regulations in relation to application for licence under Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952.124. Restriction on section 23 of Criminal Justice Act, 1951.125. Saving for indictment for nuisance.126. Saving for general power of Commissioner.127. Modification of Motor Car (International Circulation) Act, 1909.First Schedule Enactments RepealedSecond Schedule Offences under the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2010 involving Consequential Disqualification Orders.
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Version status: In force | Document consolidation status: Updated to reflect all known changes
Version date: 1 October 1961 - onwards
Version 2 of 2

98. Prohibition of obstruction of traffic.

(1) A person shall not do any act (whether of commission or omission) which causes or is likely to cause traffic through any public place to be obstructed.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) Where a person is charged with an offence under this section, it shall be a good defence to the charge for him to show that there was lawful authority for the act complained of or that it was due to unavoidable accident.

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