The AA has drawn attention to a one-mile stretch of road in Nottinghamshire that is populated by no fewer than eight speed-limit signs.
Describing the area as ‘confusing’ to motorists, the AA’s Paul Watters suggested that drivers travelling through Zouch village, which lies on the border between Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, tend to look at the signs more than the road. Considering that poor observation is one of the major causes of road accidents in rural areas, the presence of so many speed-limit signs in one area could do more harm than good.
Nottinghamshire County Council explained that the speed restrictions had been introduced in stages over the past eight years. Chris Charnley, who works in the council’s highways division, noted that a 60mph limit was imposed on much of the road (A606) until 2005, when a 50mph restriction was introduced just outside Zouch, to reduce accidents.
Charnley added: “At the same time, a 40mph limit was imposed through the village. The aim of the scheme was to manage speed, which had been identified as a contributory factor in incidents.”
30mph and 40mph restrictions were introduced last year. Between the signs, drivers pass through two national-speed-limit zones.
Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we recognise road signs should be kept simple: confusing motorists cannot improve road safety.