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We are in the very early stages of investigating the implementation of permanent roadside signs aimed at motorcyclists/drivers. The signs would either be placed along our higher risk routes or specific safety messages for motorcyclists/drivers. We understand that it can be tricky to get these signs approved if they are not in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions book, so would be particularly interested to hear how authorities got the signs approved.
Hi Vanessa,
I’m not involved in setting out signs, however I’ve investigated way too many m/cycle incidents. One of their greatest risks, when they leave the road, is hitting roadside furniture – road signs.
Obviously same applies to other vehicles but the impact on riders is far more injurious.That would be my reservation if we were to add even more furniture at the roadside.
Cheers. AndyThere is nothing tricky about applying for unauthorised traffic signs. Local authorities simply have to apply to the Department of Transport. See:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/traffic-signs-signals-and-road-markings
However, I have to say that I entirely agree with Andy Garden. In my area, a motor cyclist was decapitated when he came into contact with the pole bearing an arguably unnecessary, but nonetheless prescribed sign. And much damage has been done to vehicles if not road users by the advertisements on roundabouts which councillors seem to be so keen on. Every sign is an obstruction, and “messages” are often of dubious value. Is it not possible to convey your message (whatever it is) using prescribed signs?
Hi Vanessa
It would be useful to know what signs you think would be appropriate. What would the message be and why do you feel they are necessary. There have been many studies regarding clutter and DfT have produced documentation on this. There have also been court cases which cite clutter as a cause of accident.
Could I also simply say, that the “book” you refer to is actually the legislation for the UK and should not be treated as anything less! It is written following not only engineering principles but also safety and road use. All those involved in the industry work hard to ensure that the law is followed as best as possible and local authorities are obliged to follow legislation. I would suggest that your first port of call would be to speak to your local authority highways team who should be able to advise you fully on what they will permit on their roads in the area. Hope that helps.
Well, obviously I need to give a mention to the Shiny Side Up Partnership here in case people aren’t aware of their range of motorbike/driver road safety posters for highway use – https://shinysideup.co.uk/. However, as you already know about them, permanent signs intending to warn inform or direct traffic are generally going to come under the TSRGD. I have a lot of experience in getting signs Special Authorisation from the DfT and they generally won’t consider new signs when there are existing signs in the TSRGD which would cover the same ground, particular poster design style signs. However, I spoke to them years ago about the status of permanent ‘Thank you for driving carefully’ signs which don’t warn, inform or direct traffic and weren’t in the TSRGD and they said they weren’t traffic signs, but actually needed planning permission. I then went through planning authorities in my area and got them to agree that they were ‘Adverts Benefitting From Deemed Consent’, i.e. adverts the highway authority are allowed to erect for highway purposes providing they aren’t illuminated and are below a certain size. I think I then went down the path with the same planning authorities of having non-permanent posters (e.g. things like the SSUP posters) also deemed as this. Permanent signs on roundabouts inviting sponsors to fund highway maintenance of said roundabouts probably also fall in this category too. Hope this helps.
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