Green replaces red on this new sign - what does it mean?

These green-edged speed limit signs are popping up all over the roads, and many drivers don't know what they mean.

Some road signs are familiar to all drivers. This is the case of speed limit signs, which are extremely important for road safety. We see them everywhere because they indicate on each road the speed not to exceed to avoid breaking the law and risking a fine of up to 1,500 euros. These round signs have a white background and are bordered in red. Inside, the black number is the one that tells the driver the maximum speed at which he is allowed to drive: 50 km/h, 80 km/h, 110 km/h, 130 km/h, etc.

According to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, adopted in 1968, speed limit signs must have red borders to be easily recognizable and consistent across different countries. So, there will be no nasty surprises if you're planning to drive in Spain, Germany, or Italy during your vacation, even though speed limits vary by country. It's best to know them before you hit the road, otherwise it's important to trust these signs.

However, for some time now, new speed limit signs have been popping up on the roadsides. There's only one difference compared to the usual ones: the edges are green. So why aren't they red anymore? Daniel ShenSmith, a lawyer and YouTuber, explains on his channel, which has over 13,000 subscribers, that many British motorists ask him this question. The answer is that these are "advisory" signs, meaning they indicate the recommended speed, not the authorized speed. "I can't find anything in the law that says a sign with a green border is enforceable," the lawyer says. "You need a red, circular border for the speed limit to be enforceable."

He adds that these new green-bordered signs are often installed next to normal speed limit signs. They are therefore there to encourage drivers not to press the accelerator too hard, which explains why they are most often installed near schools or in residential areas. Motorists take no risk in exceeding the indicated speed, but they should be aware that they are driving in an area where many children may be having fun. A rather clever way of preventing speeds that could one day cross the Channel.