Soon after the first gasoline-powered horseless carriages appeared on English roadways, the secretary of the national Motor Union of Great Britain and Ireland suggested that all those who owned property along the kingdom’s roadways trim their hedges to make it easier for drivers to see. In response, a retired army colonel named Willoughby Verner fired off a letter to the editor of the Times of London, which printed it on July 13, 1908. “Before any of your readers may be induced to cut their hedges as suggested by the secretary of the Motor Union they may like to know my experience of having done so,” Verner wrote. “Four years ago I cut down the hedges and shrubs to a height of 4ft for 30 yards back from the dangerous crossing in this hamlet. The results were twofold: the following summer my garden was smothered with dust caused by fast-driven cars, and the average pace of the passing cars was considerably increased. This was bad enough, but when the culprits secured by the police pleaded that ‘it was perfectly safe to go fast’ because ‘they could see well at the corner,’ I realised that I had made a mistake.” He added that he had since let his hedges and shrubs grow back.

I know of one case, which was New Zealand’s worst accident hotspot until the introduction of shade cloth eliminated all fatal accidents. Follow-up research found that most drivers didn’t even notice that it was there (even those who had previously used the junction). Those that did notice did not find it to be unacceptable.

One might indeed design a road to have less visibility (including blind turns as mentioned) or narrower carriageway, etc. depending on one’s objectives. Again, this could be done well or badly and is location specific.

The thing to remember is that some roads should be designed for rapid motor vehicle transit and others for less rapid multi-mode use (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.). And the road environment itself should communicate its purpose and form of use (not signs). I would say that reduced visibility is often accepted whereas speed bumps, speed cameras, unnaturally low speed limits (where the road seems to afford safe travel at a faster speed) and so on can cause significant stress and resentment. One feels pretty unhappy driving at 30mph on the motorway, but it can feel enjoyable to do 20mph in a narrow rural lane with hedgerows.

Follow-up search: self-explaining roads.

Near where I live there is dangerous country T -junction (already caused a serious accident)

One of the problems is that the landowner has put up a greene fence which causes im paired visibilty.
The county council have tried to take it down but say the landowner is insisting it stays.
Surely safety must rule in these situations.
THis fence has to be in violation of some kind of planning ?
THis is an urgent appeal for any advice.
Thanks

I did notice that at least one of these has had its plants razed to a height of about one foot. Whether the city did this (perhaps under the influence of the local neighborhood association?) or an annoyed vigilante with a lawnmower is anyone’s guess. I’m just glad they did it, and I hope to see more of the same.