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HOW 15M DRIVERS ARE BAFFLED BY ROAD SIGNS

By Jo Macfarlane Have your say(0)
NEARLY half Britain’s drivers don’t understand basic road signs from the Highway Code.

Around 47 per cent of motorists, equivalent to 15.5million road users, admit they often do not have a clue what some signs mean.

While the confusion is at best frustrating, it could also mean that drivers are putting themselves and other road users at risk.

The most misunderstood sign – of which 67 per cent were unsure – warns drivers of a “no through road” which means millions are being caught out by dead ends.

But only a third of people recognised the sign warning of two-way traffic crossing a one-way road, which could potentially be very dangerous.

And a further third did not even recognise a “no motor vehicles” sign.

The poll of 2,500 drivers by Vauxhall found that 65 per cent believe road signs need to be updated for modern road users to make them easier to understand.

A spokesman for the Association of British Drivers said: “We need a sensible, structured approach which gets back to informing drivers and making them responsible for their actions instead of legislating our way through road safety with a proliferation of often confusing and misleading signs.

“There are far too many signs on the roads which, at worst, leads to people simply ignoring them. That’s a huge problem.

“Signs should be simple and used where necessary and where essential. I’m all for road signs that give useful information but some are just too much and we have become almost immune to them.

“Signs have gone from informing drivers to bullying them and that’s absolutely wrong.

“There are too many road signs, they’re too confusing and some are just spurious.”

Signs indicating nearby cashpoints, wi-fi hotspots and drive-thru takeaways would all be useful additions to the Highway Code, the survey found.

And a host of new warning signs pointing out the risk of urban foxes and skateboarders would also help drivers.

Some other signs – like the “children crossing” sign – should be updated to represent fashion by picturing a boy wearing a “hoodie,” drivers said.

But, most surprisingly, modern motorists want to be reminded to be green, with new signs to advise them to turn off engines while stationary.

They also want to know where the nearest healthy-eating outlet is.

Vauxhall spokesman Simon Ewart said: “UK motorists love to drive, but our research shows that there is a need to contemporise the road landscape to mirror the needs of modern motorists. 

“We are all more aware of green issues – a simple reminder to turn the engine off when waiting has to be a good thing.

“We’ve all been on wild goosechases looking for cash machines – a new road sign could save endless hours of searching the streets.”

“We’ve all been on wild goosechases looking for cash machines – a new road sign could save endless hours of searching the streets.”

A better idea would be to put signs up saying "Get out and walk to the cash point, and don't stick two wheels on the pavement and hold up traffic because you are too lazy to walk 20 yards!" ......or is it just me that finds this annoying?

The most misunderstood sign – of which 67 per cent were unsure – warns drivers of a “no through road” which means millions are being caught out by dead ends.

They also want to know where the nearest healthy-eating outlet is.

A spokesman for the Association of British Drivers said: “We need a sensible, structured approach which gets back to informing drivers and making them responsible for their actions instead of legislating our way through road safety with a proliferation of often confusing and misleading signs.

Around 47 per cent of motorists, equivalent to 15.5million road users, admit they often do not have a clue what some signs mean.

And a host of new warning signs pointing out the risk of urban foxes

Some other signs – like the “children crossing” sign – should be updated to represent fashion by picturing a boy wearing a “hoodie,” drivers said.

road signs should only be to inform road users and/or to warn them or to command. also directions to places and parking. all other signs are superfluous. brown signs giving directions to attractions should be removed and left to the driver/rider to read a bloody map. then again, the police don't seem to give a rats if you're in a crash because some idiot disobeyed a sign, box junctions are a good example but should be policed much more rigorously. if they ignore the signs and still drive along the green tarmac (bus lane) what hope is there?

Bus lane colours vary from town to town.

“Signs should be simple and used where necessary and where essential. I’m all for road signs that give useful information but some are just too much and we have become almost immune to them.

Are drivers today so darned thick as not to know what a red circled 30 on a white background means?...Obviously so considering the amount that get caught out exceeding 30mph...

Alternatively...

Are drivers today so darned thick as not to know what a red circled 40/50/60 on a white background means?...Obviously so considering the amount that bimble along at exactly 30/40/50...

I have issues with the 'No smoking sign' too

If it's illegal then.....it's illegal!

Maybe you should put up a sign saying 'Don't do Illegal things'