To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether his Department conducts regular research on public awareness and understanding of traffic signs and symbols. (294710)

Familiarity and understanding of traffic signs are an integral part of the theory and practical driving test.

The Department for Transport last conducted research on wider understanding of traffic signs in 2003. An earlier study was carried out in 1985. The results of the most recent study were published in a report entitled “Increasing Understanding of Traffic Signs” in March 2004. A further research project has been agreed to inform the ongoing traffic signs policy review. We plan to commission this work later this year.