Are Britain's Traffic Signs leading millions of motorists into a `dead end'?

It seems that almost half of motorists having no idea about basic Traffic Signs. More than a quarter do not understand the Traffic Sign warning of schoolchidren crossing the road. And 20 per cent are baffled by bus lane signs - even though using them illegally carries an £80 fine.

The confusion follows a spate of new signs introduced in recent years, including stretches of road painted red or green, ofter without explanation, according to a new survey by petrol firm `Jet'.

Jet spokesman Roy Roley said: `The results of this survey are extremely worrying. Even if drivers generally have a good understanding of traffic signs and their meanings when they pass their tests, the findings indicate that the information is quickly forgotten.'

The survey found that nearly half of all drivers had no idea of the significance of the different shapes of road signs. Circular signs are designed to give ORDERS to drivers, triangular signs to WARN and rectangles to INFORM.

Executive Director of the RAC, Edmund King said suggested that millions of pounds are being wasted on traffic management and safety measures because motorists do not have a clue what the signs mean.

Mr King said if people do not understand warnings given to them through signs they are more likely to be involved in accidents.

The Highway Code is one of Britain's best-selling paperbacks. But the evidence suggests many motorists tend to read it before their driving test - and then not to look at it again.

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