Smiley signs to improve road safety

The mobile signs are now operational across the North, Washington and Coalfield areas of the city.

All the signs have motion activated smiley or sad faces to represent whether a car is travelling at a safe or unsafe speed.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller, said: "Road safety is a high priority for our residents and therefore it is also a priority for the council.

"Although the majority of residents drive safely, there are still some dangerous drivers on our city's roads who present a danger to the public and to themselves.

"Research indicates that vehicle activated signs do influence motorists and have a positive impact on speeding, which in turn reduces the number of accidents and injuries."

The full list of locations for the new signs are:

Washington - Fulmar Drive, Emerson Road, Rickleton Way, Parkway, Fatfield Road, Biddick Lane, Pattinson Road, Heworth Road, Stone Cellar Road and Moorway.

North - Ferryboat Lane, Redcar Road, Hylton Lane, Elmwood Avenue, Newcastle Road, Roker Avenue, Park Parade, Station Road and Dovedale Road.

Coalfield - B1286 at Herrington, A183 Chester Road, A182 Station Road, B1285 Colliery Lane, South Hetton Road, Market Place, Sedgeletch Road and Coaley Lane.

The two signs located on Ferryboat Lane will be permanent, while the rest will be rotated within each area.

Cllr Miller added: "Working closely with council highways staff, we can re-locate the signs quite easily and I hope that these simple messages will deter speeding drivers throughout the community and make our city safer for everyone."

Funding for the signs was provided by the Area Committees.