These green-edged speed limit signs are popping up on the roads and many drivers don't know what they mean
Some road signs are known to all drivers. This is the case for speed limit signs which are so important for road safety. We see them everywhere because they indicate on each road the speed not to exceed in order not to break the law and risk a fine of up to 1,500 euros. These round signs have a white background and are bordered in red. Inside, the number in black is the one that indicates to the driver the maximum speed at which he is allowed to drive: 50km/h, 80km/h, 110km/h, 130km/h…
According to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, adopted in 1968, speed limit signs must have red borders to be easily recognizable and uniform in different countries. So there are no nasty surprises if you are planning to drive in Spain, Germany or Italy during the holidays, even if the speed limits are specific to each country. It is therefore better to know them before taking to the road, otherwise it is important to trust these panels.
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However, for some time now, new speed limit signs have been appearing on the side of the roads. The only difference is that they are not the usual ones: the edges are green. So why are they no longer red? ? Daniel ShenSmith, a lawyer and YouTuber, explains on his channel, which has over 13,000 subscribers, that many British motorists recently asked him this question. The answer is that they are “advisory” signs, knowing that they indicate the recommended speed and not the authorized one. “I can't find anything in the law that says that a sign with a green border is enforceable,” the lawyer confides. You need a red and circular border for the speed limit to be enforceable.”
He adds that these new signs with a green border are often installed next to normal speed limit signs. So they are there to encourage the driver to not to press too hard on the accelerator pedal, which explains why they are most often installed near schools or in residential areas. Motorists take no risk in exceeding the indicated speed limit but they must bear in mind that they are driving in an area where many children may be having fun. A rather intelligent way of doing prevention that could one day cross the Channel.