The traffic sign portrayed in figure 1 of the article is described in
the highway code as a 'warning (of) frail elderly people (or blind or
disabled)' (1.) It specifically does not include all elderly people and is
not attempting to make the statement that all elderly people are 'impaired
or inevitably disabled' as the authors suggest. It is however symbolic -
as per the 1960s Worboys recommendation - and does give a clear visual
warning that there may be frail pedestrians crossing ahead. The fit
elderly person may not be represented by this sign, but surely that is
because there is no need.
Two of the authors (MD & DD) state that they do not find the sign in
the least bit offensive and themselves use it as a warning when driving.
Rapid Response:
Are we too politically correct?
Editor
The traffic sign portrayed in figure 1 of the article is described in
the highway code as a 'warning (of) frail elderly people (or blind or
disabled)' (1.) It specifically does not include all elderly people and is
not attempting to make the statement that all elderly people are 'impaired
or inevitably disabled' as the authors suggest. It is however symbolic -
as per the 1960s Worboys recommendation - and does give a clear visual
warning that there may be frail pedestrians crossing ahead. The fit
elderly person may not be represented by this sign, but surely that is
because there is no need.
Two of the authors (MD & DD) state that they do not find the sign in
the least bit offensive and themselves use it as a warning when driving.
1. www.highwaycode.gov.uk
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests