Warning road signs in Ireland

A dangerous right-hand bend ahead.

You should always read the road ahead and be prepared to react to changing traffic situations – in this case paying attention to the warning sign clearly indicating a right-hand bend ahead.

Accompanied horses and ponies ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that there may be horses on the road ahead. You should show due regard for horses and their riders.

Automatic level crossing ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of an automatic level crossing ahead. Drivers should approach with caution and be prepared to slow down or stop as necessary.

Because there is an increased danger of skidding.

Where there are fallen leaves on the road surface, your tyres might have reduced grip on the road surface and your braking distances might be greater.

Beware of children crossing.

These signs are usually displayed in residential areas, and they give advance warning that children might be crossing ahead. You should proceed cautiously and be prepared to stop suddenly.

Children may unexpectedly run out from between parked cars.

When driving in a residential area you need to take account of the danger you might pose to children playing. You should always observe warning signs relating to children and drive accordingly.

Crossroads ahead with roads of equal importance.

This sign gives advance warning of a crossroad junction ahead where the roads are of equal importance. At this type of junction you should yield to traffic approaching from the right and traffic already turning.

Crossroads with dual carriageway ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a crossroads junction at a dual carriageway ahead. Drivers need to be observant, taking extra care for traffic coming from each direction. Yield and/or stop as appropriate.

Crossroads with major road ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a crossroads junction with a major road ahead. Be prepared to stop.

Crosswinds ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that there may be crosswinds ahead. Crosswinds can affect the stability of your vehicle on the road. Be prepared to slow down if necessary.

Crosswinds may blow the rider into their path.

When driving in wet and windy conditions, a driver should be aware that these conditions can affect the stability of vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists or cyclists. These road users may be blown into the driver’s path particularly in open and exposed areas.

Danger of falling rocks ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that there is a danger of rocks and other debris falling onto the road. Drive with caution.

Dangerous bend ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a dangerous bend to the left. You may need to slow down and react to any changes in the traffic situation ahead.

Dangerous corner ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a dangerous corner to the left. You may need to slow down and react to any changes in the traffic situation ahead.

Deer or wild animals ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that there may be deer or other wild animals coming onto the roadway. Be prepared to slow down or stop suddenly if required.

Dual carriageway ends.

This sign gives advance warning of the end of a dual carriageway. You will soon be entering a 2-way road.

Junction ahead with roads of lesser importance.

This sign gives advance warning of a junction ahead with minor roads on either side. Be aware that vehicles may be emerging from the minor roads.

Level crossing ahead guarded by gates or barriers.

This sign gives advance warning of a railway crossing ahead that is protected by gates or lifting barriers. You should be prepared to stop and follow the required procedure.

Level crossing ahead protected by lights and barriers.

This sign gives advance warning of a railway level crossing ahead protected by lights and barriers. The crossing may also have an audible warning alarm. You should be prepared to stop.

Level crossing ahead unguarded by gates or barriers.

This sign gives advanced warning of an unguarded level crossing ahead. This is a crossing without gates or barriers and you should cross it with extreme caution.

Low bridge up ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that you are approaching a low bridge, with restricted headroom as shown on the sign.

Mini-roundabout ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a mini-roundabout ahead. You must be prepared to yield to other road users already on the roundabout or coming from the right.

Offside lane closed ahead.

This roadworks warning sign tells you that the offside (right-hand) lane of three is closed ahead. Drivers in the nearside or centre lanes should be aware that traffic may merge from the right.

Possibility of cattle or farm animals ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that there may be cattle or other farm animals on the road ahead. Slow down if required and be prepared to stop.

Possibility of low flying aircraft.

This sign gives advance warning that there may be low-flying aircraft in the area. Low-flying aircraft can cause distraction due to a sudden loud noise.

Possibility of sheep ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that there may be sheep on the road ahead. Slow down if required and be prepared to stop.

Reduce speed and be prepared to stop as other children could follow.

Drivers should always be aware of other road users especially children, who can be unpredictable and show no road sense. Drivers should slow down and take extra care in areas where there are children about – for example, near schools, playgrounds and in residential areas.

Reduce speed as possible hazards ahead.

On the approach to the brow of a hill you should be extra careful and be prepared to react to a change in the traffic situation.

Road divides ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that the road divides ahead. You should prepare to move to the left.

Road narrows from left.

This warning sign tells you that there are roadworks up ahead where the road narrows from the left creating a potential hazard.

Road narrows from right.

Where there are roadworks up ahead, this warning sign tells you that the road narrows from the right creating a potential hazard.

Road narrows on both sides.

This roadworks warning sign tells you that the road narrows on both sides creating a potential hazard. Be prepared to slow down and drive with extra care.

Road narrows on both sides.

This sign gives advance warning that the road is narrowing on both sides ahead. You should show caution and prepare to slow down.

Road narrows on the left.

This sign gives advance warning that the road narrows on the left ahead. You should show caution and prepare to adjust your road position.

Roundabout ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a roundabout ahead. You must be prepared to yield to other road users already on the roundabout or coming from the right.

School ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a school ahead. You should adjust your speed and react accordingly as there may be children in the area.

School children crossing ahead.

This sign gives advance warning that there may be school children crossing the road ahead, slow down if required and be prepared to stop.

Series of bumps or hollows ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a series of bumps or hollows ahead. Be prepared to reduce your speed as necessary.

Series of dangerous bends ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a series of dangerous bends ahead. You should slow down and react to any changes in the traffic situation.

Series of dangerous corners ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a series of dangerous corners ahead. You should slow down and react to any changes in the traffic situation.

Sharp depression or dip ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a dip or depression in the road ahead which may be hidden and could obscure your view of oncoming traffic. You should reduce your speed accordingly and be aware that overtaking is dangerous in these areas.

Sharp rise in the road ahead - for example, a humpback bridge.

This sign gives advance warning of a hump in the road. You should adjust your speed accordingly.

Slippery road ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of the potential danger of slippery road surfaces ahead.

Staggered crossroads ahead with roads of equal importance.

This sign gives advance warning of a staggered junction ahead with roads to the left and right. Be aware that vehicles may be emerging from these roads.

Steep ascent ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a steep ascent/upward hill ahead. You should react by selecting the appropriate gear.

Steep descent ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a steep descent/downward slope ahead. You should react accordingly by adjusting speed and selecting the appropriate gear.

T-junction ahead with a road of major importance.

This sign gives advance warning of a T-junction ahead with a major road. Be prepared to yield or stop as necessary.

T-junction ahead with roads of equal importance.

This sign gives advance warning of a T-junction ahead with a road of equal importance. You must give way to traffic already on the road you are joining.

T-junction with dual carriageway ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a T-junction at a dual carriageway ahead. Drivers need to be observant, taking extra care for traffic coming from each direction. Yield and/or stop as appropriate.

The driver may continue ahead with caution.

On approaching a crossroads you should check the road sign to see which traffic has priority and be prepared for emerging traffic from either side. Vehicles do not have an automatic right of way on the road. The overriding rule is to proceed with caution in all circumstances.

The road surface is uneven and road grip varies.

Different road surfaces can affect your vehicle’s grip on the road and its stopping distances. You should be aware of this when driving on different surfaces.

Traffic merging from the left.

This sign gives advance warning of traffic merging from the left. You should expect vehicles to join from the left. You may need to slow down, allowing them to merge safely.

Traffic merging/diverging ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of roads both merging (entering onto the main road) and diverging (exiting the main road). Drivers should be prepared for traffic changing speed and direction as vehicles enter or exit at the junctions on the left ahead.

Traffic queues likely ahead.

This roadworks warning sign tells you that there may be traffic queues ahead, possibly due to temporary traffic lights at the works. Proceed with caution.

Traffic should cross back to the left-hand lane ahead.

This roadworks warning sign tells you that the course of the road will return to the left ahead. This usually appears after a stretch where traffic was diverted to a right-hand lane.

Traffic should cross out to the right-hand lane ahead.

This roadworks warning sign tells you that the course of the road will divert to the right ahead.

Traffic signals ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a traffic light controlled junction ahead. This sign is generally found in areas where the lights may not be visible to drivers in good time – for example, following a bend in the road.

Tramway crossing ahead.

This sign gives advance warning sign of a tram crossing ahead. You should be prepared to stop and yield to the tram, if required.

Tunnel ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of a tunnel ahead. You should be aware of the procedures to follow when entering a tunnel – which include keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead or removing sunglasses.

Turn left ahead.

This sign tells you that you must turn left ahead. It is usually displayed on the approach to a one-way system.

Two-way traffic ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of two-way traffic ahead, with oncoming traffic in the opposite lane.

Two-way traffic.

This warning sign tells you that during roadworks there will be two-way traffic in operation ahead. Continue to drive with extra care.

Uneven surface.

This roadworks warning sign tells you that the road surface may be uneven, possibly due to the resurfacing of part of a lane. Proceed with caution.

Unprotected quay, canal or river ahead.

This sign gives advance warning of an unprotected area of water ahead. You should be cautious due to the extreme danger.

Y-junction ahead with roads of equal importance.

This sign gives advance warning of a Y-junction ahead with roads of equal importance. Approach such a junction with caution and be prepared to react to any changes in the traffic situation.

Y-junction ahead with roads of equal importance.

This sign gives advance warning of a Y-junction hazard ahead with a road of equal importance. Be prepared to yield to other road users.

Y-junction where main road bears to the left.

This sign gives advance warning of a Y-junction with a minor road ahead. The wider arm of the Y indicates the course of the main road.

Zebra crossing.

A zebra crossing is a designated area for pedestrians to cross the road. As a driver you must always yield to pedestrians on a zebra crossing.