Motorists could be wrongly fined for speeding with plague of hidden road signs

Motorists will continue to drive in any weather, rain or shine, and rely on the road network to be up to scratch to protect themselves and other road users.

However, there have been complaints in recent months of road and traffic signs being obscured by various impediments like tree branches.

Road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist say that obscured road signs are “at best a nuisance, and at worst can be misleading and dangerous”, and could potentially lead to fines.

According to the Highways Act 1980, it is the responsibility of the landowner or highway authority to remove any obstructions which could impact drivers.

This ruling applies to signs and lamps and names hedges, trees, shrubs and other vegetation as potentially blocking visibility.

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GEM also highlights how it is bird nesting and rearing season, which usually prohibits the trimming of trees until after August.

Landowners and anyone else responsible should ensure that any hedgerow or tree overhanging and obstructing views should be cut back.

Neil Worth, chief executive of GEM Motoring Assist, pointed out the importance of road signs, with important information like speed limits and what actions to take or avoid.

He added: “If they can’t see the signs, then their ability to make safe decisions is compromised, especially if they’re on unfamiliar roads.

“Dealing with trees, branches and plants that hide traffic signs is a vital task, ensuring that speed limit and other signs are made as clear as possible to everyone using their roads.

“We therefore ask any farmer and landowners to do their bit for road safety and ensure any signs are clearly visible for road users, and that drivers have a clear and unobstructed view ahead, particularly at junctions and on the inside of bends.”

Drivers are now being encouraged to report any hidden or covered road signs to the appropriate local authority.

The most dangerous outcome could see motorists fall foul of speed limits and drive over the guidance for a particular road.

More local authorities have been implementing 20mph speed limits in rural areas over the past year.

If this sign is covered, a driver could be exceeding the limit massively and potentially cause a very serious accident.

A limit of 30mph usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting, unless signs say otherwise.