Junction and road-shape warnings

Junction and road-shape warnings: how to read them

This chapter teaches 9 signs from the official manual: Priority crossroad, Secondary crossroad, Sharp junction, Sharp junctions, Y-junction, Two-way traffic crossroad, Concealed driveway, T-junction chevron, Dead-end.

Read the wording and symbol on each sign carefully. They tell you who the sign applies to, where it applies and what you must do, and two signs that look alike can apply to different road users.

Key idea: Check who a sign applies to before deciding what it means for you.

Priority crossroad — W102

How to read it. This warns of a priority crossroad. The official text says the thicker leg of the cross shows which road has priority, and you have right of way here.

Where you meet it. On any road.

What to do. Approach cautiously and look carefully. Be able to stop if cross-traffic does not yield, even though you have right of way.

In practice. You travel on the priority road and see this sign. You slow down, look both ways and are ready to stop if another driver fails to yield.

Easily confused. A secondary crossroad sign warns that you must yield, while this one warns that you have right of way.

Key idea: Right of way, but be ready to stop.

Secondary crossroad — W103

How to read it. This warns of a secondary crossroad. The thicker leg of the cross shows which road has priority, and here you must yield to cross-traffic.

Where you meet it. On any road.

What to do. Approach cautiously and yield to traffic approaching from the left or from the right. You do not have priority at this intersection.

In practice. You are on a minor road and see this sign. You slow down and give way to vehicles coming from both sides before you cross.

Easily confused. A priority crossroad sign warns that you have right of way, while this one warns that you must yield.

Key idea: Secondary crossroad: yield to both sides.

Sharp junction — W112

How to read it. This warns of a sharp junction. The W112 and TW112 signs warn of traffic merging from the left, and W114 and TW114 warn of traffic merging from the right, at sharp angles.

Where you meet it. On any road.

What to do. Pass the intersection at a safe speed. Look out for merging traffic that might not yield.

In practice. You travel past a junction with this sign. You keep a safe speed and watch the side road for a vehicle that joins without giving way.

Key idea: Sharp junction: watch for merging traffic.

Sharp junctions — W111

How to read it. This warns that your road will soon split in two. You will have to choose which road to take.

Where you meet it. On any road.

What to do. Decide well in time which road to take. Look out for approaching traffic whose path you cross when taking the right-hand side road.

In practice. You approach a place where the road splits. You decide early, and for the right-hand road you check for approaching traffic first.

Key idea: Road splits: choose early, check traffic.

Y-junction — W115

How to read it. This is the Y-junction warning. It tells you the road forks into two roads.

Where you meet it. On any road, before you reach the place where your road splits in two.

What to do. Decide well in time which road to take. Look out for approaching traffic whose path you will cross when taking the right-hand road.

In practice. You see this sign before a fork. You choose your road early and check for oncoming vehicles before taking the right-hand road.

Key idea: Y-junction: pick your road early.

Two-way traffic crossroad — W213

How to read it. This warns that a street with two-way traffic will soon cross the one-way street you are driving on.

Where you meet it. In urban areas.

What to do. If you are in the left lane and want to turn right at the first intersection, change to the right lane in good time. If you are in the right lane and want to turn left, change to the left lane in good time.

In practice. You drive on a one-way street and see this sign. You want to turn right at the first intersection, so you move into the right lane early.

Key idea: Two-way street ahead: choose your lane early.

Concealed driveway — W216

How to read it. This warns that one or more concealed driveways join the road from the left or right, so you cannot easily see the road or the traffic on it.

Where you meet it. On any public road.

What to do. Slow down so you can stop or yield if cross-traffic does not yield. Remember a driver joining from the concealed driveway may also find it hard to see you.

In practice. You pass a place with this sign on a road with hedges. You slow down because a vehicle could pull out without seeing you.

Key idea: Hidden driveways: slow down, they cannot see you either.

T-junction chevron — W409

How to read it. This sign warns that the road ahead does not continue straight but merges with another road.

Where you meet it. It can be used on any road.

What to do. Slow down so that you can turn left or right, or stop. It applies to all drivers on the road that ends at the junction.

In practice. On a road that meets another one ahead, you see this sign and slow down. You choose your turn calmly instead of carrying straight on.

Key idea: Road does not go straight: slow down to turn or stop.

Dead-end — W410

How to read it. This sign warns that the road does not continue beyond the sign and that you must turn left or right.

Where you meet it. It is used on any road where the carriageway ends.

What to do. Decide which direction you want to go and slow down. It applies to all drivers on that road.

In practice. You approach the end of a road and see this sign. You slow down, decide your direction, and turn at the end.

Easily confused. It is a warning that the carriageway ends, so not a sign for a road that ends further along a side road.

Key idea: Carriageway ends: slow down and choose left or right.

Quick recap

• Priority crossroad (W102): Right of way, but be ready to stop.
• Secondary crossroad (W103): Secondary crossroad: yield to both sides.
• Sharp junction (W112): Sharp junction: watch for merging traffic.
• Sharp junctions (W111): Road splits: choose early, check traffic.
• Y-junction (W115): Y-junction: pick your road early.
• Two-way traffic crossroad (W213): Two-way street ahead: choose your lane early.
• Concealed driveway (W216): Hidden driveways: slow down, they cannot see you either.
• T-junction chevron (W409): Road does not go straight: slow down to turn or stop.
• Dead-end (W410): Carriageway ends: slow down and choose left or right.