Priority signsIreland
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Ireland
Priority signs
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Additional signsPriority signs
A priority sign is a traffic sign that indicates the order in which vehicles shall pass intersection points. Vehicles often come into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians because their intended courses of travel intersect, and thus interfere with each other's routes. The general principle that establishes who has the right to go first is called 'right of way' or 'priority'. It establishes who has the right to use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other does so. The vehicle that does not need to wait is said to 'have the right of way' or to 'have priority.'
What should I know about priority signs in Ireland?
STOP and YIELD are regulatory controls. STOP requires a complete stop; YIELD requires giving way before proceeding.
🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments
Must you always stop when giving way in Ireland?
No. A give-way control requires stopping when necessary to yield or obtain a safe view. A stop sign requires a complete stop even if the road appears empty.
🔗 rsa.ie • RSA Rules of the Road — guidance, law date 1 March 2025; read with later amendments
1. Stop and give way
This traffic sign means stop and give way. You must come to a complete stop before entering the intersection and give way to traffic that has priority. Proceed only when it is safe.
English • RUS 027 • Stop. You must stop before entering the major road and give way to traffic on it. Stop at the stop line where one is provided.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • RUS 027
🔗 Irishstatutebook.ie • Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 (EN)
SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2021-12-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Roadguidelines.ie • official published diagram RUS 027.
2. Give way
This traffic sign means give way. Slow down and give way to traffic that has priority. Stop if necessary and proceed only when it is safe.
English • W 041 • Yield ahead. A yield-controlled junction is ahead. The accompanying distance plate shows how far ahead it is; prepare to give way at the junction.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • W 041
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Source revision 2022-02-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.
3. Warning for a roundabout
This traffic sign indicates a warning for a roundabout. A roundabout lies ahead. Reduce speed and follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local roundabout rules when approaching and entering it.
English • W 043 • Roundabout ahead. A roundabout is ahead. Reduce speed and prepare to give way as required by its signs and markings.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • W 043
SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2021-10-28. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Roadguidelines.ie • official published diagram W 043.
4. Priority at the junction
This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. A side road joins from the left, and traffic entering from that side road must give way.
English • W 002L • Side road on the left. A side road joins from the left ahead.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • W 002L
SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2022-04-14. Wikimedia original unmodified.
5. Warning for merging traffic from the left
This traffic sign indicates a warning for merging traffic from the left. Traffic travelling in the same general direction may join your traffic stream from the left. Stay alert and adjust your speed or position when necessary to allow traffic to merge safely.
English • W 030 • Merging traffic from the left. Traffic merges from the left ahead. Watch for vehicles joining your route.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • W 030
SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2021-10-21. Wikimedia original unmodified.
6. Priority at the junction
This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. Side roads join from the left and right, and traffic entering from those side roads must give way.
English • W 001 • Crossroads. A crossroads is ahead. Approach cautiously and obey any priority controls at the junction.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • W 001
SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2022-04-14. Wikimedia original unmodified.
7. Mandatory roundabout direction
This traffic sign indicates the mandatory direction around a roundabout. Traffic must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows. The sign does not itself determine priority; follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local rules.
English • RUS 049 • Mini-roundabout. Follow the clockwise direction indicated by the arrows at the mini-roundabout and yield to traffic approaching from the right as required.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Roadguidelines.ie • Department of Transport • Traffic Signs Manual • RUS 049
🔗 Irishstatutebook.ie • Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Regulations 2025 (EN)
SVG source: Government of Ireland – Department of Transport • Public domain • Original revision 2023-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Roadguidelines.ie • official published diagram RUS 049.
