The language which includes some of the world's longest words is threatening to cause problems because drivers might take too long to absorb new electronic warning signs. The potential danger on motorways in Wales has prompted the Welsh assembly to commission scientific tests on the likely impact of planned bilingual text. Academics at Leeds University's institute of transport studies are using driving simulators to see how quickly drivers take in a message like: "Slip roads at next five junctions closed because of fog and flooding" when screened in Welsh and English.
The fears follow government approval of new Variable Message Signs on British motorways, with up to four lines of illuminated electronic text. The screens are the direct result of the need for complex, lengthy and changing messages on motorways, with which conventional painted signs cannot cope.
"But when a message gets too long people slow down, and that can be dangerous," said Fergus Tate, who is running the project with Oliver Carsten.
Repeating an already long message in another language is exacerbated by the fact that Welsh and English share the Roman alphabet. Tests at Leeds with a tachistoscope - an instrument for measuring how much the eye can absorb in very small units of time - suggest drivers could delay potentially fatally while disting-uishing between the two.
The worst case scenario involves the first Anglesey exit of the A5 dual carriageway - to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
