North Yorkshire Council is expected to maintain its ban on smiley and sad face speed indicator devices despite pressure from local parishes seeking cheaper, more engaging alternatives.
Road signs which display a driver’s speed alongside a smiley or sad face could continue to be banned from North Yorkshire’s roads despite pleas from communities to allow their use.
North Yorkshire Council looks set to reject calls to allow the use of speed indicator devices (SIDs) in favour of continuing to authorise speed limit reminder (SLR) signs, which display the speed limit and a “slow down” message.
A report due before the council’s executive member for highways on Wednesday next week recommends that the authority continues with its current policy of only permitting SLR signs.
Although the signs are used elsewhere in the country, the report states that officers remain concerned about the legality and effectiveness of SID signs, particularly those using smiley or frowning faces.
The Department for Transport has advised that such devices are not officially approved traffic signs and that the use of a smiley face or sad face was not approved.
Officials also warned that some motorists may actually accelerate in an attempt to see a higher speed displayed on the signs.
Councillor Malcolm Taylor, executive member for highways, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he had been lobbied by several parish councils on the issue.
He added:
“We will listen to the views of the representatives of the parish councils that have contacted us and we will consider those views before making a decision.”
Several communities have asked the council to reconsider its stance over the last year, arguing that SIDs are cheaper and more engaging than the current approved signs.
The report says there has been “significant” correspondence from parish councils and road safety groups calling for a change in policy, largely because SIDs can cost around half the price of a solar-powered SLR sign.
The council has also faced pressure after some communities installed unauthorised SID signs on private land or even on the highway despite advice against doing so.
Officers say two communities are currently continuing to deploy SIDs outside the highway boundary.
However, the recommendation is still for no change, with officers pointing out that 174 communities have already bought approved SLR signs under the current rules and that there is “no evidence” SIDs reduce speeds more effectively.
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