Road markings 'could pose driving safety risk'

Date: 15/3/2011

Some of the most dangerous roads in the UK could be putting drivers at additional risk due their fading markings, according to a new report.

The Road Safety Marking Association has discovered that on some surfaces, lines have disappeared altogether - which may make them confusing for motorists to use.

Some 1,500 miles of motorways and A-roads were investigated as part of the study, as the group revealed that two-thirds of fatalities or serious injuries involving vehicles occur on A-roads in the countryside.

However, of the carriageways that fit this description studied by the association, 14 per cent had markings that had completely worn off the surface, while 15 per cent were also in need of being refreshed.

Commenting on the study's findings, Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "Our safety advice to drivers is that they should be aware that lines are wearing out and be ready to use the other visual clues to hazards, such as road signs."

Posted by Sarah Bailey