Do speed indicator signs cause accidents?

If speed indicator signs are deliberately set to show false speeds just because most speedometers do, then they are a danger in themselves, and surely illegal? Police radar guns and installed speed cameras might as well record 27mph as 31mph, and drivers be fined for “speeding”. Who would be responsible for a crash if a driver braked suddenly, believing the incorrectly shown speed to be the true one?

Asked on 15 September 2012 by ECH, Bournemouth

Answered by Honest John

I can't tell you if there have ever been any such crashes. But I was amused to see an 'appeal for witnesses' notice for a crash chained to a speed camera post on the A40 some years ago. Someone braking hard for the camera and losing control, or getting rammed by the car behind, fits your scenario.

Tags: speed cameras driving techniques

Similar questions

Why don't drivers who complain about tailgaters just let other traffic pass them?

Reading the survey about top 10 motorists' complaints, the one that amazed me was that 70 per cent of people disliked having someone following too closely behind. I had always assumed these people never...

Are average speed cameras accurate?

I travel through both inner and outer London boroughs and several cameras are in 20mph zones. However the other week I noticed a camera (the older style GATSO yellow one) with no speed markings on the...