MOST drivers in Britain are unable to identify more than half of common road signs, a new survey has found.

The poll asked more than 500 drivers to identify 12 road signs which included no stopping, road works and uneven roads.

A total of 77% could not identify more than six of the signs correctly and none of the drivers recognised all of them.

The only sign every driver recognised was the symbol for speed cameras although most could identify the one for roadworks, the survey carried out by www.motorinsurance.co.uk found.

Signs that caused most confusion were ones that alert drivers to hazardous conditions such as cautions for slippery roads surfaces, correctly identified by 42% of drivers, uneven road surfaces (23%) and side winds (8%). The site’s marketing director, Andrew Dunkerley, said: ‘It’s worrying that so many of Britain’s drivers are unable to name quite a large percentage of common road signs because safe motoring relies on accurately identifying road signs and driving appropriately.

‘The lesson we learn from the survey is that all drivers, even ones who’ve been driving for years, could benefit from refreshing their memories by spending some time reading the Highway Code.

‘Failure to identify road signs increases the risk of road accidents, which pushes up motor insurance premiums for all drivers.’

The survey found that motorists aged over 55 identified 55% of the signs correctly while those aged between 18 and 24 identified 45% correctly.