etiquette for driving in Dublin

Fuinseog

I may be moving to Dublin and am told you have to drive differently-in all big cities people have a reputation for having less patience with out of townies.

is there anything you need to watch out for in Dublin? I have heard the cars approach from all directions and you drive with the car doors locked.

chin_grin

Fuinseog wrote: »

I may be moving to Dublin and am told you have to drive differently-in all big cities people have a reputation for having less patience with out of townies.

Nope. That's anywhere you go to be honest (Also depends completely on the driver)! And.....

Fuinseog wrote: »

is there anything you need to watch out for in Dublin? I have heard the cars approach from all directions and you drive with the car doors locked.

Do you not drive with them locked anyway? And what's this "approach from all directions" bit you mean? There are two junctions that I can think of that aren't marked clearly and traffic kind of has to "filter" in to the right lane. Going up Leeson St being one............can't remember the other. Once you're a decent enough driver and have good reaction times to hazards (and to other traffic especially cyclists) you'll be fine.

Fuinseog

chin_grin wrote: »

Nope. That's anywhere you go to be honest (Also depends completely on the driver)! And.....



Do you not drive with them locked anyway? And what's this "approach from all directions" bit you mean? There are two junctions that I can think of that aren't marked clearly and traffic kind of has to "filter" in to the right lane. Going up Leeson St being one............can't remember the other. Once you're a decent enough driver and have good reaction times to hazards (and to other traffic especially cyclists) you'll be fine.

I am only learning to drive, but only in Dublin and only in certain areas do I suddenly hear a click as the driver locks the doors. apparently there is a fear that someone will jump in.

on the subject of hazards how do you deal with all the pedestrians just walking out in front of you?


can you drive on the Luas lines? never or only at at some points?

chin_grin

Fuinseog wrote: »

I am only learning to drive, but only in Dublin and only in certain areas do I suddenly hear a click as the driver locks the doors. apparently there is a fear that someone will jump in.

I've never heard anyone hopping in to unlocked cars. But if you don't feel right about it just lock the doors.

Fuinseog wrote: »

on the subject of hazards how do you deal with all the pedestrians just walking out in front of you?

You brake. But seriously don't go too fast (well you can't really around town) and you'll be fine and be able to react.

Fuinseog wrote: »

can you drive on the Luas lines? never or only at at some points?

Not unless marked. I'm pretty sure I've only seen delivery trucks and garda cars going along them so I'd stay clear to be on the safe side. You can cross over them but they'll be signalled so you won't have to worry about an oncoming tram.

MascotDec85

Fuinseog wrote: »

I may be moving to Dublin and am told you have to drive differently-in all big cities people have a reputation for having less patience with out of townies.

is there anything you need to watch out for in Dublin? I have heard the cars approach from all directions and you drive with the car doors locked.

Fuinseog wrote: »

I am only learning to drive, but only in Dublin and only in certain areas do I suddenly hear a click as the driver locks the doors. apparently there is a fear that someone will jump in.

on the subject of hazards how do you deal with all the pedestrians just walking out in front of you?


can you drive on the Luas lines? never or only at at some points?

In a city or town environment you generally have large volumes of traffic (cars, buses, motorbikes, lorries etc) and large volumes of pedestrians. Observations are crucial. By observing properly you'll begin to anticipate things happening before they do. Expect the unexpected. Eg. Driving by parked cars expect doors to open, pedestrians steeping out. Be on the look for signals going on, front wheels being turned before a car pulls out.

When driving behind buses look for passengers standing up, they might be getting off. i.e. the bus will be stopping.

Yes, there are areas where cars and Trams share the roadway. You should read up on the Rules of the Road www.rotr.ie and make yourself aware of the signs concerning the LUAS.


That said, my advice is: Find a good ADI in the area you are moving to and ask them to take you lessons in the city and learn from someone trained to give you the correct info. I'd offer but I don't cover Dublin

Good luck

Del2005

chin_grin wrote: »

I've never heard anyone hopping in to unlocked cars. But if you don't feel right about it just lock the doors.

You've lived a sheltered life. There used to be parts of Dublin where they'd smash your window and throw a rat into the car to get you out.

Also if stopped at the lights, in the bad places, and you've anything left on the seat the door will be opened and the item taken. At some junctions they use the pedestrian lights up the road to make sure you stop.

There are bad places all over Dublin.

Fuinseog

Del2005 wrote: »

You've lived a sheltered life. There used to be parts of Dublin where they'd smash your window and throw a rat into the car to get you out.

Also if stopped at the lights, in the bad places, and you've anything left on the seat the door will be opened and the item taken. At some junctions they use the pedestrian lights up the road to make sure you stop.

There are bad places all over Dublin.

are there parts of Dublin where you should really not park your car?

sheriff street is supposed to be bad but buses park there and nothing seems to happen to them.

I heard there used to be people who would help you park your car for a fee even if you did not ask for their help.

Reloc8

Are you for real OP ?

Fuinseog wrote: »

I may be moving to Dublin and am told you have to drive differently-in all big cities people have a reputation for having less patience with out of townies.

is there anything you need to watch out for in Dublin? I have heard the cars approach from all directions and you drive with the car doors locked.

Hmmm.


Your post from thread on Dublin City.

Fuinseog wrote: »

unfortunately, what you say is true. The first thing I saw when I moved into the city centre was gurriers setting a car alight.

there are secure car parks but addicts will still get in.

there are parks everywhere in Dublin, but some look dodgey.

And :

Fuinseog wrote: »

if you go for a dip off Bull wall its not unusual to swim into a bit of it coming down from the Tolka.

Another thread you started yourself. Funny someone called you out in it as being a troublemaker.

Fuinseog wrote: »

I was in a place there in Nassau Street with two American friends and they were charging 18 euro for fish and chips and 14 euro for seafood chowder. you expect tourist prices in some places but this is going too far.

some say the number of tourists to Dublin is falling and the best way to attract them is to fleece them.

Thread you started regarding your extensive experience of the Northside :

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056298038

So have you basically run out of places to troll about Dublin and decided to land here ?

Fuinseog

Reloc8 wrote: »

Are you for real OP ?



Hmmm.


Your post from thread on Dublin City.




And :




Another thread you started yourself. Funny someone called you out in it as being a troublemaker.




Thread you started regarding your extensive experience of the Northside :

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056298038

So have you basically run out of places to troll about Dublin and decided to land here ?

my thread is 100% genuine and I do not troll at all. I have posted in a learning to drive thread and I am indeed learning to drive. check my other posts on the matter.

This is not a Dublin bashing thread but as previously stated I am looking for tips on driving in the capital. I know people who have been driving for decades but will not take their car to Dublin as they are unsure how to drive there.
Others fear their car will be vandalised or burnt out. If you are a Dubliner you are wise to these things and driving around the capital is as easy as falling off a log.

There are different hazards in Dublin such as the Luas, which has been explained to me. I have had only had one lesson in Dublin and was told to lock the door, then put on the seat belt, which I found strange. The notion that someone would jump in the backseat if the door were unlocked was hitherto unknown to me.

I also got the impression taxi drivers are more aggressive road users than in smaller towns.

-Chris-

Thread closed due to likelihood of the OP trolling