Red-bordered triangles. They tell you what is coming, not what to do.
Meaning. Horse riders are likely to be on the road ahead.
What you must do. Slow to no more than 10 mph, pass at least 2 metres wide, and keep the engine quiet. Be ready to stop.
Remember it
Horse and rider: quiet, slow, wide.
On the road. Many riders are children. A revving engine or a horn can unseat them into the road.
Often confused with
Meaning. A sharp bend to the right is ahead.
What you must do. Slow down before the bend, not in it. Brake in a straight line, then steer smoothly.
Remember it
The arrow points the way the road goes first.
On the road. In wet weather this sign matters more: grip is lower exactly where you need it most.
Often confused with
Meaning. Children may be crossing, often near a school or playground.
What you must do. Slow right down, cover the brake, and look between and under parked vehicles for movement.
Remember it
Two small figures: expect someone who will not look.
On the road. School turning-out time doubles the risk. A ball rolling into the road is a child arriving a second later.
Often confused with
Meaning. A crossroads is ahead where roads meet at the same point.
What you must do. Slow down and look both ways. Be ready for vehicles emerging from either side, and for traffic ahead waiting to turn.
Remember it
Symmetrical cross means both side roads meet you at once.
On the road. You see this before a rural crossroads with high hedges. Ease off early — you may have priority, but a driver who cannot see you has no way of giving it.
Often confused with
Meaning. A cycle route crosses or joins the road ahead.
What you must do. Expect cyclists to join or cross. Check mirrors and nearside before turning or changing position.
Remember it
Bicycle in a triangle: they are about to be in your road.
On the road. A cycle route emerging from a park may bring riders onto the carriageway at speed and at an angle you cannot see round.
Often confused with
Meaning. A series of bends is ahead — first one way, then the other.
What you must do. Reduce speed before the first bend and stay settled through the sequence rather than accelerating between them.
Remember it
First curve at the top tells you which way it goes first.
On the road. Motorcyclists often make progress through bend sequences; give them room and do not follow closely.
Often confused with
Meaning. A level crossing with a barrier or gate is ahead.
What you must do. Slow down and be prepared to stop. Never stop on the crossing, and never zigzag round half-barriers.
Remember it
Gate symbol: barriers here. No gate symbol: open crossing.
On the road. If the red lights keep flashing after a train has passed, a second train is coming. Wait.
Meaning. The surface has loose stone chippings.
What you must do. Slow down, leave a much larger gap, and avoid harsh braking or steering.
Remember it
Stones flying from the wheels: keep well back.
On the road. The vehicle in front is effectively throwing gravel at your windscreen. Distance is the only protection.
Often confused with
Meaning. A hazard ahead that has no specific symbol. A plate below usually says what it is.
What you must do. Slow down and read the plate. Treat it as a genuine warning even if the plate is missing.
Remember it
Exclamation mark means: read the sign underneath.
On the road. Often used for flooding, ice, fallen rocks or events. The plate is the actual message.
Meaning. Pedestrians are likely to be walking in the road ahead.
What you must do. Reduce speed and be ready to stop. Expect people on your side of the road, walking towards you.
Remember it
One adult figure: people walking, not crossing at a set point.
On the road. On an unlit country lane at dusk, someone walking towards you in dark clothing is visible far later than you expect.
Often confused with
Meaning. The carriageway narrows from both sides ahead.
What you must do. Slow down and be ready to give way or take turns. Do not overtake through the narrowing.
Remember it
Two lines leaning in: both sides close up.
On the road. Cyclists are squeezed at pinch points. Hold back rather than passing through alongside one.
Often confused with
Meaning. A roundabout is ahead.
What you must do. Slow down, choose your lane early, and prepare to give way to traffic on your immediate right.
Remember it
Three curved arrows in a triangle: warning. In a blue circle: you are at it.
On the road. On a 60 mph road this sign is your cue to start losing speed and read the lane markings, not to arrive and decide.
Often confused with
Meaning. The road ahead may be slippery.
What you must do. Reduce speed before you reach it and make all your steering and braking inputs gentle.
Remember it
Wavy tail behind the car: it slides.
On the road. Diesel spillage at a roundabout exit is invisible until you are on it. This sign is often the only warning.
Often confused with
Meaning. Side roads join from left and right at slightly different points.
What you must do. Approach at a speed that lets you deal with either side road. Do not check one gap and assume the other is clear.
Remember it
Offset arms, offset junctions.
On the road. A car waits at the first arm while another emerges from the second. Two decisions, a second apart.
Often confused with
Meaning. A steep descent is ahead, with the gradient shown as a percentage.
What you must do. Select a lower gear before the descent and use the brakes in short applications so they do not overheat.
Remember it
Slope going down to the right: you are going down.
On the road. Loaded cars and vehicles towing suffer brake fade fastest on long descents. Gear down before you start.
Often confused with
Meaning. Traffic lights are ahead, often where they would otherwise be hard to see.
What you must do. Slow down and prepare to stop. Check your mirrors so you know what is behind before you brake.
Remember it
Traffic light in a triangle: they are round the corner.
On the road. Placed where the signals are hidden. If you can see this sign but not the lights, assume they are about to change.
Meaning. Two-way traffic is ahead on a road you have been treating as one-way, such as at the end of a dual carriageway.
What you must do. Move to the left-hand side, reduce speed, and do not overtake until you have a clear view of the whole road.
Remember it
Two arrows nose to tail: traffic is coming the other way now.
On the road. Leaving a dual carriageway at speed, this is the moment drivers most often overtake into oncoming traffic.
Often confused with
Meaning. Wild animals such as deer may cross the road.
What you must do. Reduce speed, especially at dawn and dusk. If you see one, expect more. Brake rather than swerve.
Remember it
Leaping deer: it will not check for traffic.
On the road. Deer travel in groups. The one that crossed safely is usually followed by another you have not seen.
Often confused with