Knowing the signs

A recent survey of 2,003 UK drivers has raised serious concerns about the nation’s road safety.

The survey by Tempcover Insurance revealed that many motorists fail to recognise key traffic signs.

Many drivers are unaware of basic road rules, putting themselves and others at risk.

Blinkered drivers

Drivers were asked to identify the meaning of several common road signs using multiple-choice options.

The results were troubling: A large proportion of participants were unable to match the signs with their meanings correctly.

Key Findings:

• 83% of drivers failed to identify the “No Vehicle” sign, which prohibits vehicles from entering certain areas.
• 73% could not recognize the “No Waiting” sign, which restricts parking and stopping in certain areas.
• 63% misinterpreted the “No Stopping” sign, which prohibits any stopping, loading, or unloading in designated areas.
• 34% were unaware of the “No Overtaking” sign, crucial for maintaining safety on busy roads and reducing the risk of collisions.
• 31% couldn’t identify the “Priority Must be Given to Vehicles From The Opposite Direction” sign, important for drivers on narrow roads or single-lane carriageways.
• 60% failed to recognize the “End of Dual Carriageway” sign, which indicates the end of a dual-lane road and the need for careful speed adjustment.

Better training

These statistics underscore a worrying driver education and awareness gap, highlighting the potential dangers of misinterpreting vital traffic signs.

Claire Wills-Mckissick, a temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, commented on the findings:
“Many drivers are not fully aware of the traffic signs they encounter every day, which can lead to accidents, fines, and dangerous driving conditions. For example, ignoring ‘No Stopping’ or ‘No Waiting’ signs can cause traffic disruptions, block emergency vehicles, and create hazardous situations for other road users.”

The survey’s results suggest that these knowledge gaps are not just an inconvenience but could also lead to significant legal and financial consequences for drivers.

Misinterpreting key road signs can result in hefty fines, penalty points, and even vehicle towing.

Legal consequences

• Fines: Drivers could face fines of up to £130 for parking or stopping in areas marked with a “No Stopping” or “No Waiting” sign, varying amounts depending on location.
• Penalty Points: Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous or prohibited spot may also lead to penalty points, which can accumulate and lead to a driving ban.
• Towing and Additional Fees: Vehicles causing obstructions may be towed, and drivers could face additional fees for recovery if their car is not moved within the specified time frame.

Wills-Mckissick emphasized that staying informed about road signs is critical:
“For drivers looking to avoid fines and penalties, it’s essential to refresh their knowledge regularly. Reviewing the Highway Code or using official driving theory apps can help ensure drivers are up-to-date with the latest rules and regulations.”

Worrying ignorance

The survey results highlight a dangerous level of ignorance amongst drivers on our roads today.

This implies there is a need to enhance driver education, both for new and existing drivers.

Last year, the AA found that more than two-fifths of drivers are ignoring a landmark Highway Code provision implemented by the Department of Transport two years earlier.

These changes were intended to increase road safety but led to complaints that it was confusing and went against common sense.

Nearly 10,000 drivers in the UK were surveyed for the AA survey, and 42% of them either didn’t know the changes had been made or had heard about them but believed them to be false.

The changes to the Highway Code introduced a hierarchy of road users, with priority given to the most vulnerable.

According to the AA, drivers should now be reminded of this restriction annually—for example, when they receive notices about renewing their vehicle taxes.

Regulating road safety

The Highway Code underwent a seismic overhaul consisting of several new regulations on January 29, 2022.

The new ‘hierarchy of road users’, a pyramid-style system in which the driver of a vehicle capable of causing injury is most responsible for the safety of others, was the talk of the town.

Basically, you have a greater obligation to lower danger when driving a larger, heavier car.

This means that drivers of HGVs, trucks, and buses are the most responsible, followed by van and minibus drivers, car and taxi drivers, and motorcycle riders.

The statement, “The hierarchy does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly,” is part of the updated Highway Code.

A series of guidelines about priority is contained in the hierarchy rules.

These guidelines apply when a car turns at a pedestrian crossing and a pedestrian is crossing or waiting to cross the road.

It states that pedestrians, including cyclists, always have the right of way over moving vehicles and that motorists should yield and give them space to cross.

Alarmingly, the AA discovered that, out of 9,839 members who held valid licenses, 30% of drivers claimed they were unaware of the law’s existence, and 12% thought it was false.

Failing regulations

According to official statistics, the regulation modifications have not improved safety for pedestrians, the most vulnerable road users.

According to official figures, pedestrian deaths on Britain’s roads increased by 6% last year.

In 2023, 405 pedestrians were killed in Great Britain, whilst 6,067 were reported to be seriously injured and 12,791 slightly injured.

This was up from 385 pedestrian deaths during the previous 12 months, according to Department for Transport (DfT) data.

Understanding road signs is fundamental to ensuring the safety of all road users, and this latest research raises more concerns.

With so many drivers unable to correctly identify basic traffic signs, road safety experts are calling for more proactive measures to improve road sign recognition and increase awareness of the rules of the road.