Motorists are being advised to always drive in the left lane on motorways as part of a new safety campaign.
The campaign, launched by the Road Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and An Garda Síochána, aims to remind road users of the rules of the road when driving on the country's motorway network.
For normal driving, road users should remain in the left lane and only use the other lanes for overtaking or accommodating traffic entering the motorway.
It is an offence to park on the hard shoulder apart from emergencies, such as a breakdown, and anyone who ends up driving against the flow of traffic should always pull over and contact the gardaí while they wait for help to arrive.
CEO of the Road Safety Authority Sam Waide said: "The higher speeds on motorways mean that things can happen very quickly - a moment’s lapse of concentration could have severe consequences."
He said anyone in doubt of the rules of motorway driving should "consider taking a practice lesson on motorway driving with an RSA registered Approved Driving Instructor".
Peter Walsh, Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland said: "Over recent years the length of motorways has more than doubled from 424km in 2008 to 995km in 2021. Motorways are the safest roads in Ireland. They are five times safer than rural two-lane roads. However, that does not mean they are risk free. Stopping on a motorway puts drivers, their passengers and other road users at great risk. The hard shoulder is an extremely dangerous place to be."
Superintendent Thomas Murphy of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau added that motorists should be aware that following the recent dry spell road surfaces can become greasier than normal when rain falls, "which requires greater braking distances in order to slow down or stop safely".
Anyone on a long motorway journey is also being advised to take rest breaks at the service stations along the network.
