Motorway road signs play a crucial role in ensuring safe and efficient travel on the UK's motorway network. These signs provide essential information to drivers, guiding them and alerting them to specific conditions and regulations. Here are some features and characteristics of motorway road signs in the UK:
- Blue Background: Motorway signs typically feature a blue background with white text and symbols. This color scheme helps distinguish them from other types of road signs.
- Directional Information: Motorway signs often indicate directions to various destinations, such as cities, towns, junctions, or services. They help drivers plan their routes and make informed decisions.
- Exit Numbers: Motorway signs display exit numbers, which correspond to the junction numbers. These numbers assist drivers in identifying their current location and determining their desired exit or junction.
- Distance Information: Motorway signs frequently include distance information, indicating the distance to upcoming exits, junctions, or destinations. This allows drivers to anticipate their upcoming maneuvers and make timely lane changes.
- Lane Use: Signs on motorways indicate which lanes to use for specific destinations or types of vehicles. For example, signs may direct drivers to use the left lane for slower vehicles or indicate dedicated lanes for certain types of traffic, such as buses or high-occupancy vehicles.
- Speed Limits: Motorway signs display speed limit information, including the national speed limit for motorways (70 mph unless otherwise indicated) and any temporary speed restrictions due to roadworks or other conditions.
- Variable Message Signs: Motorway signs can also be equipped with variable message signs (VMS). These electronic signs provide real-time information about traffic conditions, accidents, road closures, and other important updates. VMS help drivers adjust their driving behavior and make informed choices.
- Emergency Information: Motorway signs include emergency information, such as SOS phones and emergency refuge areas (ERA). These signs guide drivers to safety in case of breakdowns or emergencies, ensuring they know where to seek assistance or wait for help.
Direction to a motorway at the junction shown, indicating route number
Direction to a motorway at the junction shown, indicating route number and destination reached along the motorway
Number of route reached from a motorway exit road
Number of route reached from a motorway exit road
100 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route
200 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route
300 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route
Motorway junction ahead, displaying the route number and destination reached by taking this route
Motorway junction, displaying route number and destination reached as well as destination reached by remaining on the motorway
300 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route
200 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route
100 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route
Junction ahead with another motorway
Additional traffic lane joining from the left ahead in 200 yards. Traffic on the main carriageway has priority over joining traffic
Additional traffic lanes joining from the right ahead. Traffic on the main carriageway has priority over joining traffic
Additional traffic lane joining from the left ahead
Additional traffic lane joining from the right ahead
Appropriate traffic lanes for different manoeuvres at a junction ahead
Motorway junction ahead leading to a town or geographical area containing several tourist attractions and a Tourist Information Point or Centre
Roundabout ahead leading from a motorway exit slip road to the tourist attractions shown
Junction ahead from a motorway exit slip road to the tourist attractions shown
Junction ahead from a motorway exit slip road to the tourist attractions shown
Exit from a motorway at a junction ahead that should be used for a tourist attraction
Direction to a named service area and showing the name of the operator
10 miles to the next motorway service area
Availability of motorway service areas ahead with distances
Availability of motorway service areas ahead with distances and names of operators
Services are not available on motorway ahead
Entrance to a motorway service area
Entrance to a motorway service area at a junction ahead on a motorway slip road
Direction to the nearest emergency telephone on the same side of the road
Route to be followed at a junction ahead on a motorway for destinations that are not otherwise shown on signs for that junction
County boundary sign
Route number of the motorway with destinations and distances to places along or reached from that route
No hard shoulder available for 400 yards
Entrance for works traffic only
Drivers should check their distance from the vehicle in front
Motorway junction ahead leading to a route advised for goods vehicles to the destination shown, which may differ from that for other traffic
Exit from a motorway junction ahead that should be used for a destination along the route advised for goods vehicles
Drivers should keep a distance of two chevron markings from the vehicle in front
Drivers should keep their distance from the vehicle in front
End of motorway regulations, including the national speed limit in 1 mile
End of motorway regulations, including the national speed limit
Entrance to motorway service area, or similar facility within the length of a motorway where motorway regulations cease to apply
Light signal conveying the prohibition that vehicular traffic may not use the lane below the sign (gantry-mounted)
Closure of one lane of a four lane carriageway ahead
Closure of one lane of a three lane carriageway ahead
Closure of right hand lane of a two lane carriageway ahead
Closure of two lanes of a three lane carriageway ahead
Temporary maximum speed of 50 miles per hour advised
Closure of all lanes of a four lane carriageway ahead
Closure of all lanes of a three lane carriageway ahead
Closure of both lanes of a two lane carriageway ahead
End of temporary restrictions indicated by previous signs
Risk of fog ahead
Risk of ice ahead
Vehicular traffic must leave at next junction
In 200 yards the number of lanes of traffic lanes ahead on a motorway reduces from three lanes to two. Traffic in the right hand lane must move into the lane on the immediate left
