Know your signs

Nov 3 2009 Maurice Glover

Know your signs

AS MANY as two thirds of UK motorists are unable to recognise the 'no vehicles' road sign, according to a new study.

More than one third of drivers admitted they didn't know what the sign represented and 21 per cent said they saw it as an instruction to obey the next warning sign.

Only one in three drivers correctly identified the meaning of the sign - a red circle over a white background - according to the to a poll carried out by moneysupermarket.com.

For roads subject to a minimum speed limit of 30mph, researchers found that 43 per cent of the drivers they questioned believed it to mean a 30mph maximum speed while it was correctly identified by 38 per cent.

But most drivers correctly identified the sign that informs road users that oncoming traffic has the right of way.

"It is worrying to see so many British motorists 'crash and burn' when tested on standard Highway Code rules. We are required by law to be able to recognise and adhere to the rules of the Highway Code.

'Any motorist found to be flouting the rules could be fined, given penalty points on their licence - or worse still, disqualified from driving altogether and sent to prison,' said Steve Sweeney, the website's head of motor insurance.

The survey also revealed that 23 per cent of motorists were not aware that pedestrians should be their main priority when turning into a side road. And when asked about the key consideration when carrying out a u-turn, only a quarter of drivers knew that signalling so other drivers can slow down is the correct action to take.