Motorway signs and signals

Motorway signs

Leading to the motorway

Direction signs from ordinary roads to the motorway have white lettering and figures on a blue panel, often bordered in white.

These signs may stand alone or be included in other, larger signs of various colours.

On the motorway

You may find the following types of sign on the motorway

• advance direction signs
• countdown markers
• signs giving information about service areas
• signs with a brown background. These indicate tourist attractions that can be reached by leaving at the next exit.

All these signs are very much larger than those on ordinary roads because you need to be able to see them from a distance. This is a good reminder that you must leave more room for all manoeuvres on motorways.

Each junction has an identifying number that corresponds with current road maps. This is to help you plan your route and know where you need to leave the motorway.

Speed-limit signs

• Signs that display a speed limit within a red ring indicate mandatory speed limits. You MUST obey these signs. If you don’t, you risk prosecution.
• Black and white rectangular signs show recommended maximum speeds.

Motorway signals

Signals warn of dangers ahead, such as • incidents

• fog
• icy roads
• delays
• standing traffic.

Flashing amber lights

Look out for flashing amber lights and signs, either on the central reservation or overhead. These warn you of

• lane closures
• roadworks
• other hazards.

They might also show a temporary speed limit. You should

• slow down to the speed limit
• be ready to slow down even further to pass the obstacle or danger
• look out for signs giving further advice
• don’t speed up until you see the sign ending the temporary restriction (or there are no more flashing amber lights).

Red lights

Some signs have flashing red lights as well.

A red light (it may be a red ‘X’) warns you that you MUST NOT go beyond the red light in that lane. You should

• start to slow down in good time
• be ready to change lanes.

If the red light flashes on a slip road, you MUST NOT enter that slip road.

If a red light flashes on the central reservation or at the side of the road, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in any lane.