A survey commissioned by the RAC found that nearly one in five drivers (19%) in the UK have accidentally driven over the speed limit because road signs were hidden by overgrown plants. The research, carried out by Online95 in August and involving 1,412 drivers, revealed that 94% of participants had seen road signs partially or fully covered by trees, branches, or hedges. Over half (51%) of those surveyed said they often encountered this problem, highlighting the frequency of the issue. The problem has serious implications for road safety. According to the survey, 80% of drivers said that overgrown vegetation made it hard to safely navigate junctions or roundabouts. The most commonly affected signs included speed limit indicators, stop signs, and give way signs. The survey also found that 21% of drivers had missed a turn because of obscured signs, 13% had to brake suddenly, and 5% had failed to notice a give way sign. The RAC has urged property owners to check if plants on their land are encroaching onto public roads or pavements. They emphasized that trimming back vegetation to keep signs visible and pathways clear can greatly improve road safety. Harriet Hernando, a spokeswoman for the RAC, expressed concern over drivers breaking speed limits due to obscured signs and warned that ignoring a give way sign could lead to dangerous situations. She also noted that local councils may require homeowners to remove unpruned plants that block public roads or footpaths, with non-compliance potentially leading to fines. The survey found that more than half (58%) of respondents were unaware that councils could take such action. If road signs are obscured, drivers are encouraged to report the issue to their local council or National Highways if the signs are on a motorway or major A-road. This helps ensure that visibility is maintained and that potential hazards are addressed promptly.