Page:Report of the Traffic Signs Committee (1963).pdf/20

 Traffic signals and zebra crossing beacons should be mounted, as at present, on black and white banded posts.

48. The particular colours which we recommend should be used for signs generally are given in Appendix IV.

49. In paragraph 141 we make recommendations about the appropriate size of lettering required on directional signs according to the speed of traffic on the road on which the sign is erected and according to the different distances between the driver's path and the sign. In just the same way a range of sizes is required for other types of sign. We therefore recommend that warning, mandatory and prohibitory signs should be of the sizes set out in the table at Appendix VI. On narrow-verged country roads carrying slow traffic or at urban sites where space is restricted smaller signs will no doubt have to suffice and could be specially authorised but the standards set should be adhered to as closely as possible.

The size of informatory (other than directional) signs will usually depend upon the nature of the symbol and/or legend which they carry and the category of the road on which the sign is erected. In general we think that if these signs are roughly the same in area as the warning signs we have recommended they will be adequately seen and read at the vehicle speeds of the roads on which they are placed.

In the interests of amenity we have tried to keep signs as small as possible consistent with effectiveness.

50. In this section of the report we review individual signs, dealing with them in their various groups-mandatory, prohibitory, warning, directional and other informatory, and in each group we discuss existing signs and make our recommendations for new signs. Throughout this report, Regs. numbers refer to illustrations in the Schedules to the Traffic Signs Regulations 1957, as amended. In the main the signs are considered in the order in which they appear in these Regulations. Illustrations of our recommended signs will be found in Appendix II. Where the word 'Protocol' is used it means signs agreed at the United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport 1949 and subsequent amendments. In paragraph 37 we have recommended the general adoption of the Protocol system.

51. In general the mandatory signs recommended have a white symbol on a blue circular background. But there are two deliberate exceptions; the Stop and Give way signs have distinct shapes and colours and capital letters in order to produce a more immediate impact.