News

Nine out of 10 motorists say they are confused by road signs, according to an alarming new survey.

The research, which was commissioned by car finance expert, Zuto, also reveals that a third of UK drivers are unable to recognise the national speed limit and more than 40% confused by the ‘no vehicles’ sign.

It’s 60 years since the introduction of standardised road signs, but the survey shows that confusion at the wheel is rife.

Almost half of drivers believe that there are too many signs on the road, with one in 20 admitting they’ve made driving mistakes due to confusing road signs.

As a result a new taskforce is being setup by the Government to review the current state or road signs, and decide on a potential roadside cull.

Almost one in 10 said they found the ‘men’ at work road sign sexist and due for a makeover, while over four million drivers don’t understand the ‘level crossing without a barrier’ sign, and a further 31% failed to recognise the national speed limit sign.

The research also revealed that one in four don’t recognise the ‘Cars & Motorbikes Prohibited’ sign, with 13% incorrectly believing the exact opposite of the sign’s meaning – that cars and motorbikes are allowed.

But Britain’s most confusing sign is one only half of all motorists recognise, the admittedly bizarre sign for ‘no vehicles carrying explosives’, while almost a quarter don’t understand the archaic ‘no horse drawn vehicles’ sign.

“As the research has shown, I’m sure every motorist can relate to being baffled by road signs at some point and, after 60 years serving the UK roads, perhaps it’s time for some signs to enter retirement,” said James Wilkinson, CEO of Zuto.