Concealed road signs pose a danger for drivers
If you are driving on the road this summer, overgrown junctions concealing signs could prove to be problematic, according to a new survey conducted by the AA.
Two fifths of 21,977 AA members surveyed up and down the country have found their view of oncoming vehicles, junctions and roundabouts blocked by long grass this summer, while more than a third stated that critical road signs were obscured by overgrown trees and bushes.
Further findings from the survey found that nine out of ten motorists believe obscured road signs pose a danger, with less than ten per cent feeling satnavs have made the issue less important.
Despite government cutbacks meaning less time and money can be spent on ensuring road signs aren’t obscured from wild foliage, there was still a strong belief by those AA members surveyed (70 per cent) that they should be kept clear at all times.
AA president Edmund King said of the findings: “A mixture of warm and wet spring weather has caused grass and trees to grow so quickly that it has put drivers at risk when making routine journeys. Due to budget cutbacks, councils are struggling with controlling the fast growth of trees and bushes and that is increasing the likelihood of collisions.
“The worst case scenario is a hidden Give Way sign on the approach to a junction where the road markings have been worn out. What warning does a driver get on an unfamiliar country road that traffic is about to cut across his path?”
Of those looking to escape for their summer holidays, King continued: “Drivers should take care and not assume that, if they don’t see a speed restriction sign for example, that there isn’t a speed limit. If there are street lamps along the road then it is likely to be a 30mph limit unless there are small ‘repeater’ signs saying otherwise.
“Also, be alert to the fact that foliage might be obscuring a warning sign, like a bridge height or narrowed road, and slow down,” King continued. “And also be prepared to stop at a roundabout where it’s clear that the grass could obscure your vision of oncoming traffic.”
What do you think? How should this problem be resolved, and how much of an issue have concealed road signs been for you this summer?
