Almost half (44%) of UK driving license holders have forgotten common road signs meanings, according to new research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
The Uswitch survey shows that 17% of people think the sign for ‘end of minimum speed limit’ means ‘maximum speed limit.
When asked the meaning of a T-junction road sign with priority, 20% of participants think the other driver has priority, and 15% of participants admit they have no idea what the sign means.
When it comes to crossings, the sign warning drivers that they are approaching a zebra crossing is often mistaken for ‘pedestrians walking along the road’ (27%) and ‘traffic light patrolled pedestrian crossings'(21%).
The survey asks participants to identify what the sign for ‘follow emergency diversion route’ means, of which 11% of people think it is the sign for services and 46% of people admitted they did not know the answer.
Survey results further support GOV UK accident data, which reveals that accidents involving pedal cyclists and cars are around 16,884 per year. The results show that 20% of people think the sign for ‘cycle route ahead’ means ‘no cyclists allowed’.
Joel Kempson, car insurance expert at Uswitch.com comments: “Everyone can benefit from brushing up on their driving knowledge, both in and out of the car. As driving test regulations have changed since 1973, those aged 48+ could see a significant benefit in some catch-up work.
We would advise looking through the GOV UK highway code every once in a while to make sure you still know what you would have learned for your driving test. Road signs can vary across the country, so it is also important to check that your driving knowledge covers the whole of the UK.”
Also something for new drivers to think about too as old versions might be out of date.
You can read Uswitch’s full survey results here.
Uswitch’s guide to road signs can be viewed in full here.
Sources
- Of 2022 participants, 892 people answered the 10 UK road sign questions incorrectly.
- When asked what the sign for ‘end of minimum speed limit’ (see page for images) meant, participants could choose from: Maximum speed limit: 30pmh, Minimum speed limit: 30mph, Bicycle speed limit: 30mph, End of minimum speed limit, I don’t know.
- GOV UK data shows speed compliance stats 2021.
- When asked what the sign for ‘T junction ahead with priority over vehicles from the right’ (see page for images) meant, participants could choose from: T junction ahead with priority over vehicles from the right, Junction ahead with dual carriageway to the left, Small lane merging ahead, T junction ahead with vehicles from the right having priority, I don’t know.
- When asked what the sign for ‘Zebra crossing ahead’ (see page for images) meant, participants could choose from: Traffic light pedestrian crossing ahead, Danger: beware of pedestrians alongside the road, Footpath ahead, Zebra crossing ahead, I don’t know.
- When asked what the sign for ‘Emergency diversion route’ (see page for images) meant, participants could choose from: For services, follow this sign, Flooding ahead, follow this sign, Emergency diversion for motorway and main traffic roads, Road works ahead, I don’t know.
- When asked what the sign for ‘cycle route ahead’ (see page for images) meant, participants could choose from: No cars with mounted bike racks allowed, Cycle path only, No cyclists allowed on the road, Cycle route ahead, I don’t know.
