Driver convinced '99%' of Brits don't understand one of most common road signs

A driver has argued that "99 per cent" of his fellow motorists aren't actually sure what one very important road sign actually means, despite coming across it on the road all the time.

The sign in question is the national speed limit sign, which is white, circular, and has a single black diagonal stripe - you'll likely come across it quite regularly if you drive every day.

You may well have had to brush up on this all-important symbol ahead of your theory and practical tests, however, this fed-up motorist is quite certain that "90 percent" of UK drivers would simply end up failing their tests if they had to resit them.

The sign is a fairly common one, but regularly leaves some motorists stumped (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Sharing a picture of the sign to Reddit, the unnamed driver wrote: "I'm convinced 99 percent of drivers don't know what this sign means."

Naturally, his post prompted plenty of jokey responses, with one person quipping: "National speed limit, but what that limit depends on what you're driving. For example, if you're driving a BMW it's 100mph and excuses you from using indicators."

However, many genuinely didn't seem to know what it actually meant, with another person commenting: "It means 'minimum speed - 80'", to which the original poster drily responded, "In my experience, it's 'max 40'."

Somewhat worryingly, a third person recalled: "One of the girls at my old hairdressers genuinely thought it meant 'go whatever speed you want'."

Admitting to the exact same error, a fourth wrote: "I literally just discovered that it doesn't in this very minute. (Thankfully I don't drive and never have, this post was just recommended to me)".

For those who are a bit unsure about this one, the RAC website gives the following explanation: "A white circular sign with a single black diagonal stripe through it tells you that the national speed limit applies on the upcoming stretch of road.

"It supersedes any previous speed limit signs you may have had to adhere to, such as passing through temporary roadworks."

For cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles, the national speed limit in the UK is 30 mph in a built-up area, 60 mph on a single carriageway, and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway.

Do you have a driving-related story to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com