Why are these signs green? A new habit that motorists should adopt

Green-edged speed limit signs appear on roads and many motorists do not know what they mean.

Some road signs are known to all motorists. This is the case of speed limit signs which are very important for road safety. We see them everywhere because they indicate on every road the speed that must not be exceeded in order not to break the law and risk a fine of up to 1,500 euros. These round panels have a white background and are bordered in red. Inside the black number is the number that indicates to the driver the maximum speed at which he is allowed to drive: 50 km/h, 80 km/h, 110 km/h, 130 km/h…

According to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs, adopted in 1968, speed limit signs must have red edges to be easily recognizable and uniform across countries. So there are no nasty surprises if you plan to drive in Spain, Germany or Italy during your holidays, even if the speed limits are specific to each country. It is therefore best to know them before you hit the road, otherwise it is important to trust these signs.

However, for some time now, new speed limit signs have been appearing on the sides of the roads. There is only one difference from the ones we are used to seeing: the edges are green. Why are they no longer red? Daniel Shane Smith, a lawyer and YouTuber, explains on his channel with more than 13,000 subscribers that many British motorists have asked him this question recently. The answer is that they are “indicative” signs, meaning they indicate the recommended speed, not the permitted one. “I can’t find anything in the law that says a sign with a green edge is enforceable,” says the lawyer. “You need a red circular edge to enforce the speed limit.”

These new green-edged signs are often installed next to regular speed limit signs, he adds. They are there to encourage drivers not to press the accelerator too hard, which is why they are often installed near schools or in residential areas. Motorists don’t run the risk of exceeding the posted speed limit, but they should be mindful that they are driving in an area where lots of children might be enjoying themselves. A rather clever way to do something about the risk of crossing the Channel one day.