Brits not up to speed with the Highway Code

Britain's cyclists need to be extra vigilant next time they take their bike on the streets; according to the latest findings from the AA Driving School which show that nearly two thirds of the population (64%) were unable to correctly identify the ‘Cycle Route Ahead' road sign. Of the people surveyed, an average of 23% - almost one in four of the population - were unable to correctly identify Britain's road signs.

It seems we're in for a bumpy ride too as four out of ten (42%) failed to recognise the correct meaning of ‘Uneven Road', with a fifth (22%) thinking it meant speed bumps and another fifth (19%) believing it signified a double hump back bridge.

Fortunately, the overwhelming majority (93%) understood the meaning of ‘National Speed Limit Applies', although one in twenty (5%) were convinced it indicated ‘No Stopping at Any Time'. This figure increases to one in twelve (8%) for female drivers, while dropping to just 2% of males.

Despite the Driving Theory Test being introduced in 1996 to aid and increase understanding of the Highway Code, it's the older generation of motorists (35 years and older) - those who did not have to take the Theory Test - who fared better. They scored better than the younger generation (18 to 34) 71% of the time.

Top five least known road signs

1. Cycle route ahead (64% wrong)

2. Uneven road (42% wrong)

3. Hump bridge (22% wrong)

4. Steep hill downwards (16% wrong)

5. National speed limit applies (7% wrong)

Simon Douglas, director of the AA Driving School, comments: "The road signs we selected for this test are all common on British roads, so it's worrying that so many motorists don't fully understand their meaning. While strong intuition and an awareness of your surroundings are valuable skills to have when driving, there is no substitute for a sound knowledge of the Highway Code and drivers who don't know what these important signs mean may be putting lives at risk, including their own.

"AA Driving School offers a refresher course tailored to a driver's specific needs helping any motorist become more confident behind the wheel as well as refreshing knowledge of the Highway Code."

To find out more about AA Driving School, visit theAA.com