The four signs, which cost thousands of pounds, are being placed on the busy East Kilbride Expressway.

They will automatically flash in wet weather and will also be triggered when motorists exceed a 60mph speed limit.

They are the first to be used in Scotland and more are expected to be installed in other areas where wet road surfaces are believed to be a major factor in accidents.

Highway chiefs are installing the signs at four junctions which take traffic off the A725 dual carriageway to Blantyre, South Lanarkshire.

The expressway links East Kilbride with the Raith Interchange and is used by around 40,000 vehicles every day.

Two signs will be placed on each side of the road.

A new weather monitoring station, which will be linked to the signs, is also to be installed.

The combined bill for the station and illuminated signs will be £80,000, while another £135,000 is being spent on road resurfacing and re-texturing work, as well as the installation of 60mph signs and others warning of road bends ahead.

The hi-tech signs will constantly flash when the road is wet or when sensors detect motorists driving too fast.

They will also flash repeatedly during the morning and evening rush hours.

Highway chiefs at Amey are carrying out the £215,000 safety programme on behalf of Transport Scotland. Work is expected to be completed by the weekend.

Amey official, Colin Mackenzie, said: "The improved road texture along with the illuminated signage flashing to all speeding drivers and in the wet are designed to reduce these accidents, improving safety for drivers."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk