What Is The Importance Of Coloured Surfacing?
Coloured surfacing is absolutely vital in order to make clear and impactful visual markings on our roads, playgrounds and public spaces as this can avert accidents whilst also delivering a pleasing visual aesthetic. Guaranteeing this has never been more important as issues like congestion have made our roads busier than ever. Also contending with the rising levels of personal vehicle traffic is the promotion of public transport and low carbon travel alternatives like bikes. The increasing popularity of the latter has seen many of our roads transform into complex multi-instructional operations hence the need for vibrant and durable coloured markings.
A surprising amount of road accidents in the UK can be attributed to poorly marked or worn out road markings. A 2012 study by the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) claimed that barely 50% of the UK’s road markings are adequately visible with 23% requiring emergency repair. When we talk about road markings, we are essentially referencing the following:
- Give way lines
- Crossings
- Roundabout directional signs
- Bus/cycle lanes
- Single/double yellow lines
- Speed limit signs
- Lanes separation lines
- Upcoming hazards
Things like worn hazard warnings, lane separators and speed limit signs can be absolutely fatal to any motorist who encounters them. All the more importantly, if a traffic accident occurs as a result of poorly maintained road markings then the party responsible for maintaining them can be held liable under UK law. With an abundance of UK solicitors firms offering to take on road marking cases, it has never been more important for local authorities to ensure that the roads under their jurisdictions are marked clearly and robustly.
