Shock sign encourages speeding drivers to slow down

The BBC recently reported that a sign has been put up on a rural road in Oxfordshire seemingly asking drivers to spare a thought for foxes when it comes to their speed. The sign, which reads “For Fox Sake Slow Down”, has been put up on a single carriageway between the villages of Wheatley and Waterperry.  Jo Abbot who is a member of the RAC Foundation spotted and photographed the sign, she said “It seems someone has got fed up with speeding cars and decided to try and do something about it.  Despite its rural setting, this is a busy and fast bit of road.  “To that extent the sign has worked – I certainly slowed down for a second glance.”  It is not known how long the sign has been in place. Mrs Abbot said although it looked as if it had been done professionally, the sign was not legal because it had not been authorised as outlined by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002.  Despite that, the RAC Foundation said it served a purpose to remind people to watch their speed on country roads.  According to the Highway Code, the speed limit for cars and motorbikes on a single carriageway is 60mph unless otherwise stated.

I live in a small village that has through routes to larger towns and we do suffer from speeding cars, but drivers still seem to feel that although there is a 30mph village this speed limit isn’t applicable to them and proceed to carry on with a similar speed to that of the national speed limit.  We have solar powered traffic signs, which flash at you if you’re going over 30mph, and these are successful in reiterating the speed limit but how effective are they in slowing the drivers down?  As a common user of country roads, I see for myself many drivers doing way over the speed limit, not only being a danger to other road users but also to pedestrians and residents.