Windscreens
Type of windscreen: Laminated glass must be used for the windscreens of motor vehicles registered since January 1986. It must also be used when replacing damaged windscreens of older vehicles.
Windscreen wipers: Keep your windscreen wipers and wiper blades in good working condition and keep your windscreen washer liquid topped up.
Clear vision: Keep your windscreen and windows clean and free of clutter to make sure you can see the road and other road users clearly.
Mirrors
Your vehicle must have mirrors or approved MirrorCam – side-mounted digital rear-view mirrors – so that you always know what is behind (rear-view) and to each side (door or wing mirrors/cameras).
On large vehicles the fitment of a front mirror, known as a Cyclops mirror, has the potential to reduce fatalities and serious injuries from collisions between HGVs and cyclists or pedestrians.
All HGVs must have Cyclops, close proximity and wide-angle mirrors to eliminate ‘blind spots’ and protect pedestrians and cyclists to the front and sides of the vehicles. This requirement also applies to buses where they have been fitted by the original manufacturer as part of the vehicles type approval process.
Note:
HGVs registered after 2007 are obliged to have these safety-enhancing mirrors.
From 1 October 2012, the HGV annual roadworthiness test includes a check to see that you comply with the regulations.
Further details are available at www.rsa.ie.
Additional information is also available from vehiclestandards@rsa.ie or alternately at 096-25014.
When to use mirrors: You must use your vehicle’s mirrors before signalling, before moving off, changing lanes, overtaking, slowing down, stopping, turning, or opening doors.
In addition, you should check your mirrors regularly while driving to see what is going on behind your vehicle.
Clear vision: As with lights and reflectors, you must keep your mirrors clean, in good condition and correctly positioned to make sure they are effective.