The Department for Transport is considering reducing the number of road signs in order to simplify and de-clutter the driving experience. Many towns in Europe have experimented with reducing or virtually eliminating road signs and they have seen a decrease in the accident and injury rate.
Road signs in the UK have ballooned from two million in 1993 to more than 4.6 million today, which has meant a large amount of work (and expense) in producing and maintaining them.
The consultation is open until 12 June 2014 and all parties are invited to contribute ideas and opinions.
One of the main objectives of the consultation is to help local authorities and councils maintain consistent signage while allowing them to cut the number of signs. There are also proposed new signs for cyclists at a lower level, and clearer markings for all road users.
The proposal will mean greater flexibility and will reduce the number of signs that require DfT authorisation, reducing red tape.
You can have your say here.
Darren has owned several companies in the automotive, advertising and education industries. He has run driving theory educational websites since 2010.