TRAFFIC SIGNS, ROAD MARKINGS AND ROAD SAFETY

This report gives an overview of knowledge about the relationship between traffic signs, carriageway markings and road safety. Traffic signs and carriageway markings are intended to convey their messages as effectively as possible. The road environment has a major influence on whether or not road users are able to quickly register traffic signs. The following measures can be applied to improve the contribution of traffic signs to road safety: (1) making a distinction between important and less important traffic signs; (2) improving the design of these signs to make them more noticeable, recognisable and understandable; (3) placing speed limit signs everywhere at the entrance to a carriageway or to an area, and repeating them where necessary; (4) reinforcing the message on the sign by means of other, more natural indicators; and (5) replacing some of the road signs by road markings whose message is intended to be read at different times of the day or night. Road markings can also contribute to road safety, provided that they are restricted to special situations and are integrated into a package of various local measures. 'Special situations' can include warnings of special restrictions in residential areas, entry into a lower speed limit area, the approach to sharp bends on a road with an 80 km/h speed limit, or temporary road works.