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Members are encouraged to remind customers and drivers to take extra care over speed limits after new RAC research found that one in five drivers has accidentally exceeded the limit because a road sign was obscured by foliage.
The survey of 1,412 UK drivers found 94% had encountered signs covered by overhanging branches, trees or hedges, with more than half saying they see the problem frequently. The consequences extend beyond speeding, with 13% of drivers reporting having to brake sharply and 5% accidentally ignoring a give way sign.
Many newer vehicles have technology that can recognise speed limit signs and display or warn of the detected limit. However, these systems should not be relied upon in place of the driver checking road signs and conditions, and may not always identify the correct limit, particularly where signage is obscured.
Responsibility for observing the speed limit remains with the person behind the wheel. Obscured road signs can be reported to the relevant local council, or to National Highways where they are on a motorway or major trunk road. The RAC also provides access to the FixMyStreet reporting service through its website.
Drivers accidentally break speed limit as overgrown foliage obscures road signs | RAC Drive
