One in two drivers confused by signs
Road safety survey finds motorists are failing to keep up with new laws – but are convinced they would pass test again
A NEW road safety study has found that one driver in two does not understand common road signs – but most drivers are still convinced they would pass the driving test today.
The survey by road safety group Prévention Routière found that drivers had not kept up with changing signage and that nine out of 10 had not done anything to keep up to date, even although the Code de la Route is updated regularly.
Thomas Le Quellec, of Prévention Routière, told Le Parisien that since the last major update of the Code in 2006 new urban driving rules had led to the introduction of at least seven new signs: for disc parking, pedestrian precincts with vehicle access, advisory speed limits, etc.
But it was not these newer signs that drivers were getting wrong when Prévention Routière launched its survey in conjunction with Carglass and Allianz: they were also wrong on road speeds, where overtaking was allowed, visibility and road junctions.
Despite this, 71% of the drivers tested were convinced they would pass a new test today.
Prévention Routière said that once drivers had passed their tests and knew the Code de la Route they felt they had nothing more to learn – yet the Code changed constantly and the roads changed, too.
There are now 700 different road signs in use on French roads and Mr Le Quellec told France Info radio that drivers were never tested on whether they knew the new signs.
Pierre Chasseray of drivers group 40 Millions d'Automobilistes suggested to Le Parisien that drivers be given tests on driving simulators every 15 years, with the tests funded by insurance companies or a tax credit for the driver.
We will have a test on the Code de la Route in the July issue of Connexion. Subscribe today and be sure to get the July issue
Road signs graphic - Prevention Routiere leaflet Connaître les principaux panneaux
