What does the crossroad ahead sign mean?

This sign appears on a rural road where you cannot yet see any junction. What is it telling you?

A road crosses yours ahead, so watch for traffic entering or crossing

Warning signs like this describe the shape of what is coming so that you know where to look. At a rural crossroad the danger is a driver on the side road who has misjudged your speed, so cover the brake and check both sides as you arrive.

This sign appears on a road you are driving. What does it tell you to expect?

Another road crosses ahead, and vehicles may come from either side

The sign warns of an intersection where vehicles can appear from your left and your right. It does not tell you who has the right of way, so read the sign or signal at the intersection itself and keep your foot ready over the brake until you know.

This sign appears on a rural road with tall crops on both sides. What should you do?

Ease off, cover the brake and check each side road as it opens up

The sign warns that another road crosses yours, and a blocked view means you and the drivers on it see each other very late. Even where the right of way is yours, a driver who misjudges the gap makes it your emergency. Arriving slower is what turns their mistake into a near miss instead of a collision.

This sign appears on a rural road where hedges grow close to the roadside. What should you be doing as you approach?

Easing off and looking early down both arms of the crossing road, in case somebody pulls out

This is a warning that a road crosses yours, not a statement about who has the right of way. On a rural crossing with hedges, a driver on the side road may see nothing until the hood of their car is already out in your lane. Coming off the accelerator early gives you the extra second that decides whether that becomes a collision.

This sign warns of an intersection ahead. A car is waiting on the side road to your right, and the driver appears to be looking straight at you.

Ease off, cover the brakes and choose a lane position that leaves you an escape path

A driver can look directly at a motorcycle and still pull out, because they are scanning for the size and shape of a car and a single headlight at distance reads as far away. Eye contact is not proof that you have been seen, so it is worth nothing as a plan. Covering the brakes and keeping a way out means their mistake is still survivable.

This sign appears on a country road where you cannot yet see the side roads it warns about.

Another road crosses ahead, so cover your brakes and be ready for a driver who pulls out in front of you

The collision that hurts riders most often is a driver entering or turning across their path. Covering the brakes and easing your speed at a crossroad turns a surprise into a stop you can make. Picking a lane position that puts you against a clear background also helps a waiting driver notice you at all.