Page:Report of the Traffic Signs Committee (1963).pdf/55

 drivers to use these devices. If this is done we recommend that the sign be in the form of a red reflectorised triangle so constructed that it would not cause damage to any vehicle colliding with it. But these devices should in no way diminish the responsibility of the appropriate authority to provide signs con forming with the Code as quickly as possible.

201. It is sometimes desirable, particularly on fast roads, to give warning to drivers of patches of ice or fog. We recommend that the signs at figures 69 and 69a (but reading 'Ice' or 'Fog') be used for this purpose and that they be kept readily available for erection at short notice.

202. Finally, highway authorities should be reminded that in the last resort it is their responsibility to ensure that obstructions upon their own roads are properly signed and to ensure both that the signs are efficiently used and that they are never left up after the obstruction has been removed.

203. The practice of motoring organisations putting up traffic signs may look at first sight anomalous. But the benefits which drivers derive from the signs is not confined to members of the organisations and there is great practical advantage to highway authorities in being able to rely on the large stock of temporary signs maintained by the motoring organisations and on the speed with which they can be erected when needed in an emergency. Examples are the signposting of alternative routes at peak holiday times and of the way to sports meetings and other special events, which is done in collaboration with the highway authorities concerned and the police. In many cases the signs provide a uniform, easily recognisable and reliable form of marking along a route which may pass through several highway authorities' areas. We therefore recommend that the motoring organisations be authorised to continue the practice of erecting temporary signs, and we see no objection to the continued use of their own badges and colour schemes for these signs.

We feel that the design of these signs could be improved, however, and we would urge the organisations to consider this in relation to the Committee's recommendations. We would emphasise that these signs should remain in position for limited periods only, normally for not more than six months, and that where they are erected pending the provision of permanent signs the highway authorities should ensure that the latter are available to replace them within this period. In some cases, however, it may be necessary for the signs to remain in position for longer periods, for example, in connection with experimental traffic schemes.

204. Signs indicating the whereabouts of the telephone boxes and patrol service centres of the motoring organisations are in a different category, and cannot be regarded as temporary. These have hitherto been treated as advertise ments but since they are permanent signs on the highway we recommend that they should be prescribed as traffic signs.

205. Under Section 54 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 the police may erect any signs for the control of traffic provided that these comply with Regulation 23 of the 1957 Regulations and are not erected for more than 7 days. Under