'Clever' reason some UK motorway signs are green and it makes a lot of sense

Motorists are often reminded of the importance of cautious driving and keen observation on the roads, including attention to traffic signals and surrounding vehicles. On motorways, drivers benefit from clear signage, often in blue or green, guiding them along their journey.

The choice of colour for these signs is not arbitrary, as TikTok user @zachdfilms3 has highlighted in a recent video. Focusing on US motorway signage, he explains: "Have you noticed most highway signs are green. Well the reason for this is actually pretty important."

He continues: "You see signs like 'stop' and 'wrong way' are painted red to capture your attention quickly. But this would be too distracting on a highway where the signs are mostly for locations. So instead they made the signs green which is a calming colour that's not too distracting."

Interestingly, UK motorway signs can also appear in blue. The TikTok video discussing this topic has attracted considerable attention, with over 55,800 likes and 4,400 shares.

Users have been engaging with the content, sharing their observations about sign colours around the world, reports the Express. One user noted: "In Europe, it's mostly green or blue," while another mentioned: "In Dubai it's blue."

A third user added: "There's like a whole colour code thing with highway signs, blue is for information like rest stops and hotels. Brown denotes state or national parks etc."

A fourth comment from a social media user stated "Portugal is blue", adding to the international perspective on the subject. The Highway Code explains that green panels indicate the start of a primary route at the upcoming junction. Route numbers displayed on a blue background point towards a motorway.

Conversely, blue panels signify that a motorway begins at the junction ahead. Motorways enclosed in brackets can also be accessed via the indicated route. White panels depict local or non-primary routes leading from the junction ahead.

Brown panels guide the way to tourist attractions. The junction's name may also be displayed at the top of the sign. The aircraft symbol marks the route to an airport.

Additionally, a symbol might be included to alert drivers of potential hazards or restrictions along that route.