Driving on narrow Irish roads

romek95

Good evening everyone,
As first I would like to say that I am not sure what the right place for this post is, apologies if posted in wrong forum.

Due to a change in my daily car commute, I am driving trough some very narrow roads. The traffic is very bad, especially in the rush hours (7:30-9AM ; 4-6 PM).
There is many cars trying to get trough the narrow road, often requiring me to fold the exterior mirrors to pass the cars coming from the opposite directions.

However, I noticed that some of the drivers just don't care and keep to the middle of the road instead to the curb, being an extremely big hazard on the road. Even requires me stopping in my lane just to let them pass and then I can start driving again, otherwise there would be a collision.

And here comes my list question, that I don't have answer to:
- who is responsible in a case of the collision? Assuming that I was driving as close to the roadside as possible.
- how can I prove, that I was driving as close to the roadside as possible?
- driving the narrow distance of 1KM with folded mirrors would work in my favour in a case of decision?
- would installing a dash cam would be any help for myself in case of a collision?

Maybe some of you had a similar situation in the past, and I would like to know what is your view on that. Especially interested in how the insurance companies were dealing with this kind of situation, where both parties involved will be blaming each other.

My car's body is not that wide (VW Polo), but some cars passing the narrow distance are much wider, going much higher speeds. Especially company VANs.

Rubberchikken

Buy a dash cam.
It can be brutal driving narrow roads but you can only do the right thing and look after yourself.

romek95

Rubberchikken wrote: »

Buy a dash cam.
It can be brutal driving narrow roads but you can only do the right thing and look after yourself.

I was thinking that, currently use GoPRO camera as dash cam - being turned on only on this narrow distance. But there is another problem - in a case of collision, both parties (myself and the other driver) will be using the same arguments and blaming each other.

To add more to the initial post - what would be the best procedure when the collision happens? RIng Garda, take pictures straight away. Would you do something else?

Thanks,

hoodie6029

I wouldn't drive with my mirrors folded in at all. If there is a collision, that will go against you.

When it comes to a collision when it is your word against someone else, if the other side won't admit liability, you'll be left fixing the damage on your own car. This can be much worse if the other car has a passenger to back up whatever cock and bull story they concoct and you don't.

Get a dashcam and just take it handy going down these roads, keep to your side but don't ditch yourself, stay on the tarmac. I've driven roads like these for years and you get some right ignorant people who look like they won't move but they don't want an accident anymore than you do. They will move over.

LorelaiG

I find if you have to stop but don't have to move over then it is possible that there is room for you both to pass that you're just a bit too nervous of a collision.

I drive some very narrow roads sometimes and as an N plate driver I do think some of the cars hurtling towards me are going to hit me and I do slow down in anticipation but it never happens which leads me to believe I'm just a nervous nelly. Which I am to be fair.

wildwillow

Drive at a pace that suits you and give yourself enough time to slow or pull in when meeting someone. It's a short distance so should not be a time problem.

I drive a big car and use such a road sometimes. Have had wing mirror smashed off by a speeding car a few years ago. Before dash cam era and other driver was speeding and didn't stop. I had pulled in as far as possible to avoid her and it would have been a nasty smash if I hadn't been driving to suit the road conditions.

Get a dash cam but in these circumstances the blame is often decided on a 50/50 basis.

J_R

romek95 wrote: »

I was thinking that, currently use GoPRO camera as dash cam - being turned on only on this narrow distance. But there is another problem - in a case of collision, both parties (myself and the other driver) will be using the same arguments and blaming each other.

To add more to the initial post - what would be the best procedure when the collision happens? RIng Garda, take pictures straight away. Would you do something else?

Thanks,

Hi,

Procedure following an accident. , see :- Traffic matters

In your scenario with just you and another car/van involved, no injuries, if you ring the Garda, it is unlikely that they would attend. Unless one of you is injured, damage to third party property or you suspect that an offence has been committed, (such as speeding, dangerous driving ?)

If the Garda refuse to attend. My advice, first ascertain the point of impact. (Debris - dirt, various car parts) This is important as the person who was closest to their side of the road is in the better legal position. Measure from the impact point to your left verge, then to the right verge.

Next.distance from Impact point to your car. If you were actually stopped then the debris will be beside, under your car. If other vehicle was speeding it will be some distance away.

Take photos so that they can be used to show the relevant positions of the above.

Finally, as other poster said do not fold your mirrors. They are essential for safe driving. (For example, left one can be used to check your road position)

And give yourself an extra ten, fifteen minutes to allow for the times you must slow when meeting traffic.