A new investigation is to be launched into the overall effectiveness of vehicle stickers, and how they impact the behaviours of other drivers within close range of the vehicle sporting them.æ The Highways Agency has commissioned research firm TRL to try and obtain information that could help make Britain's roads safer. In addition to conducting the research, it is hoped that the Highways Agency will be able to use the opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers that occur when drivers follow the vehicle in front of them too closely.æ It's hoped that a number of organisations will be able to participate in the study by adhering the relevant stickers to their vehicles. The new decals _ which will measure approximately 19cm x 47cm _ will be made available for free to anyone willing to participate.æ They are suitable for either vans or lorries, so will suit a number of different motoring firms. The reason the stickers have been made to that specification is that the text printed on them will be only readable to those drivers that have left a gap of less than three seconds between their vehicle and the vehicle displaying them. If a driver is driving at 50mph, for example, and is able to read the '50' font, then this will indicate to them immediately that they are driving too fast.æ Those that are driving cautiously enough _ i.e. leaving the three second-gap _ will not be able to read the '50' whilst driving at 50.æ The same principle applies for the signs reading '30' and '70'. The Highways Agency is an executive agency for the Department for Transport, and they're responsible for operating, maintaining and improve the English strategic road network.
