Crossroad ahead

What it means

This sign warns that a road crosses yours within sight distance, which means vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians may enter your path from both sides. The crossing traffic might be controlled by signs you cannot see from your approach, so the warning asks you to prepare for conflict points rather than assume priority. It is placed where the junction is concealed by geometry, where speeds are high, or where the side road carries enough traffic that an unexpected crossing vehicle is a realistic event rather than a rare one.

How it gets misread

Drivers sometimes read it as marking an intersection exactly at the sign, when the junction may be some distance beyond. Others assume the crossing road must stop and yield, which is not information this sign carries.

What to do

Lift off the accelerator as you approach, scan the side roads in both directions, and cover the brake so your reaction time shrinks to nothing if a vehicle pulls out. Check your mirror before any braking so the driver behind is not surprised, and be ready to give way even where you technically hold the right of way.

More warning signs

• T intersection ahead →
• Roundabout ahead →

Browse all road signs