Ministry of Transport: changing the design of road signs based on the examples of other states would lack a legal basis – MadeinVilnius.lt

While some of the Seimas conservatives are proposing to change Soviet-designed road signs, the Ministry of Transport says that the road signs currently established in the Road Traffic Rules (KET) comply with the provisions of the Convention on Road Signs and Signals. According to the Ministry, changing the design of signs based on the examples of other states “would lack a legal basis”.

“The Safe Traffic Working Group WP.1 of the Internal Transport Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based on the best practices of the countries that have joined the Convention on Road Signs and Signals, in 2024. completed updating the road sign images used in the Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The final document will be presented to the states for consideration in 2024. in September”, explained the Ministry of Transport in a comment sent to Elta.

“Taking this into account, the Ministry of Transport believes that changing the design of road signs not according to the amendments of the Convention, but according to the examples of other states, would lack a legal basis and would be unsustainable and short-term,” added the comment.

The Ministry also emphasized that the installation of one standard road sign costs 200 euros on average.

“After the Traffic Safety Working Group WP.1 of the UNECE Internal Transport Committee approves the proposed amendments to the Convention, the Ministry of Transport will start preparing relevant amendments to the KET and the rules for the installation of road signs and vertical marking, and the change in the design of road signs will have a legal basis and comply with the latest provisions of the Convention changes,” the comment states.

“The installation of one standard road sign costs 200 EUR on average. This price includes the road sign panel, supporting structure, installation of the road sign. It goes without saying that, depending on the dimensions of the road sign, the complexity of the supporting structure, and the installation costs, the price may be higher,” asserts the Ministry of Transport.

ELCA reminds that Seimas conservatives Andrius Vyšniauskas, Paulė Kuzmickienė and Mindaugas Skritulskas appealed to the Minister of Transport Mariės Skuodis, proposing to change Soviet-designed road signs.

According to the parliamentarians, the vast majority of road signs currently valid and used in Lithuania, taking into account their design, are identical or similar to the road signs approved during the occupation of the USSR.

In a letter initiated by parliamentarians to the Ministry of Transport, it is indicated that it is necessary to create road signs close to or similar to those used in European Union (EU) countries. According to members of the Seimas, these changes could be implemented within the next 10 years.

Members of the Seimas note that these proposals are not new, but, according to them, the Ministry of Transport has not taken the initiative.

Ignas Dobrovolskas (ELTA)