Overgrown foliage is obscuring road signs, putting drivers at risk of accidentally breaking speed limits or even potentially compromising their safety.

Three-quarters of drivers say speed limit signs are the most likely to be covered up by foliage

Three-quarters (74%) of drivers say speed limit signs are the most likely type of sign to be covered up by out-of-control trees and bushes, with 30mph signs the most commonly obscured, according to new analysis from the RAC.

More than four-in-10 (42%) motorists who noticed signage obscured by foliage said it led to them accidentally breaking the speed limit, and a quarter (26%) said they missed important information that compromised theirs or someone else’s safety. A total of 28% claimed to have missed a turn and nearly one-in-10 (8%) said they ended up driving in the wrong direction.

In second place after speed limits, two-thirds (66%) of drivers said signs that provide directions and information or indicate an upcoming motorway junction were the hardest to spot. A further 42% felt other ‘red triangle’ signs, which warn of changes in road layout and hazards such as junctions, dual carriageways ending and school crossings, were either partially or fully obscured, while 35% said ‘give way’ signs were difficult to detect.

The RAC’s research also revealed that most drivers (92%) only realised signs had been obscured when passing them, by which point it may be too late to react to upcoming hazards. Four in 10 (38%) said they had to rely on local knowledge, as they knew where the sign was but couldn’t see it.

Worryingly, nearly a fifth (18%) said they only realised a sign was obscured after noticing a speed limit repeater. These signs could be placed as far as 450 metres after the first ‘terminal’ sign on a single or dual carriageway that indicates the start of a restriction or requirement – suggesting drivers might be unknowingly speeding as a consequence of overgrown foliage.

Unkempt vegetation is also creating danger for motorists at junctions or roundabouts. Of those who notice road signs are obscured, four in five (81%) drivers said too much foliage makes it difficult to pull out of a junction or roundabout safely.

More than half (58%) of drivers questioned felt strongly that foliage shouldn’t be allowed to grow out of control as it compromises road safety. An additional third (28%) said they expect foliage to be cut back considering how much they pay in council tax. One in 10 (9%) understood that council budgets are tight and cutbacks must be made, while just 3% don’t think obscured signs cause any problems for road users.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 48% said signs were most overgrown on rural roads while only 9% said they were obscured on urban ones. A further 43% reported signs as equally difficult to spot on both road types.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Drivers shouldn’t be left to rely on their local knowledge and navigation apps to know if there’s a change in speed limit or if a junction is approaching. And new in-car systems that normally detect road signs and display them on the dashboard are redundant if a sign isn’t visible. Of course, it’s still the motorist’s responsibility to drive at an appropriate speed, whether a road sign is visible or not.

“While we realise local councils are under enormous pressure financially, we nonetheless ask them to inspect all the signs on their networks and do everything in their power to ensure they are clear and visible to drivers, as it’s these signs that can save lives.”

Motorists can also do their bit by reporting obscured signage via the RAC website using the FixMyStreet postcode search functionality. By entering their postcode, users will be directed to FixMyStreet’s online map where they can report overgrown vegetation.