It is hoped the signs will encourage drivers to stop breaking the law

The council employee will be waiting to flash up a message on the roadside board to be used in south Oxfordshire.

The battery-operated portable sign will display messages such as "slow down" "seatbelt" and "mobile phones".

The introduction of the machine comes after the use of Speed Indicator Displays (Sids) in the county.

'A big first'

That device, of which there are ten in the county, flashes up a happy face when drivers are within the speed limit.

The new machine, which could be introduced on a wider scale if the pilot scheme proves a success, can flash up eight different messages.

Steve Wood, the county council's safer roads officer, drew up the specification for the new machine and South Oxfordshire District Council's community safety group agreed to fund it.

Mr Wood said: "I don't know of any other similar sign currently in use in the UK so this will be a big "first" for Oxfordshire and a good example of close partnership working.

"Hopefully, road-users who cause the new sign to be activated will realise this is to keep them safe as well as everyone else either in, or passing through, communities in south Oxfordshire".