Safe Speed Forums

Over the last few months I have noticed an increase in the number of road and direction signs that are obscured by overgrown trees and bushes. Surely local councils have a duty to keep signs clear?

Some direction signs are so poorly placed and misleading that they could easily contribute to an accident. I'm becoming convinced that some signs were originally placed in the days when someone with a red flag used to walk in front of a car and everyone else went around in horses and carts.

It is nigh on impossible to be able to read, understand and act on some direction signs if you are travelling at a reasonable (and safe) speed. Does anyone know if any research has been carried out regarding accidents caused by misleading signs?

Who decides where signs should be placed?

Are these people road safety experts or does some bloke from the council choose a "convenient spot"?

All the best,

Ric.

I know what you mean. What annoys me more, though, is when you are following signs to a place, and suddenly you get to a 4 way junction with no signs for the place you were going to. This happened recently on a trip to Alton Towers, although fortunately carrying straight on did the trick. But it's the last time I rely on anyone's "Oh you won't need a map, it's all signposted" advice.

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-mike[F]
Caught in the rush of the crowd, lost in a wall of sound..

Signs are placed according to the Traffic Signs Manual (all 8 chapters). Often, where the signs should be placed is the most inconvenient, meaning a huge amount of costly accommodation works.

Unfortunately, there are occassions when the signs become overgrown by shrubbery. The current hot/rainy/hot again weather really doesn't help - have you noticed the same rapid growth of plants in your garden?

Regular checks (every 7/14/28 days depending on the classificaiton of the road) are carried out by experienced and well-trained personnel. I know. I used to be one of them

However, the defects are passed to an overloaded and very much underfunded maintenance department who then have to prioritise overgrown signs with 12" deep potholes and collapsing manholes.

Underfunding of the road infrastructure is one of the greatest problems facing this country - the money is never hypothecated (ring fenced) and is usually diverted by local authorities into education and social services.