Warning: Don’t look at this sign – it’s dangerous
Last updated 11:19, Monday, 07 April 2008
SCIENTISTS say too many signs designed to make roads safer are a danger.
Research done at the University of Hull suggested exposing drivers to less information would improve road safety. More than 50 volunteers were tested in a driving simulator. The test found the distraction of road signs increased the time drivers took to react.
Researcher Oliver Clark said: “One aspect of safe driving is the ability to react swiftly to dangers as they emerge on the road.
“This experiment shows that too much visual information in the form of advertising and signage has an effect on reaction times – the more distractions there are the slower the reaction times of the driver.
“We should be aware that the plethora of advertising at road sides and signage may be contributing to road accidents.”
He and colleague Simon Davies presented their findings at the British Psychological Society.
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