Top 20 Baffling British Road Signs
Apparently, the British government are finally going to have some road signs over here totally axed or redesigned. Some are good, but others are misleading, baffling and confusing to many motorists. The next 20 signs show what some people may think they mean (with a bit of humour). This is especially true if they view them for the first time from overseas…
1. X-Box Red Ring of Death
What is really means → All vehicles prohibited except pedal cycles being pushed by pedestrians
2. When you’re Jivin’ on your horse & cart in England, be careful
What is really means → Horse drawn vehicles likely to be in road ahead
3 …but Jivin’ is prohibited on the return trip
What is really means → Horse drawn vehicles prohibited
4. “I Pity the Fool!”
What is really means → No through road for vehicular traffic
5. Visit the mother-in-law
What is really means → Tourist symbol for Wales only: Tourist attraction recognised by the Welsh Tourist Board
6. All bikes and vehicles stay in one corner
What is really means → With-flow bus lane which pedal cycles and taxis may also use ahead
7. Punch the bag and see what’s inside
What is really means → Lane control signal indicating that vehicles may not proceed along the lane directly beneath the signal
8. Giant moles may pop up under your vehicle at any time
What is really means → Risk of grounding at a railway or tramway level crossing or hump backed bridge
9. Drive over the tunnel ahead, yes, all three lanes
What is really means → Sharp bends ahead where traffic is diverted onto a temporary road for a short distance
10. No level or horizontal parking, or else
What is really means → Vehicles may be parked partially on the verge or footway in marked bays
11. Danger of giant umbrellas ahead
What is really means → Road works or temporary obstruction of the carriageway ahead
12. Giant yellow house in field
What is really means → Direction along a footpath indicated by waymarks
13. Attention! Sign makers stating the obvious
What is really means → Vehicles carrying explosives
14. Giant numbered-boxes floating in nearby lake
What is really means → The number of a route for pedal cycles forming part of a national cycle route network
15. Hazardous for Focus, Fiesta and Mondeo drivers
What is really means → Ford warning sign
16. No clever stunts please
What is really means → Motor vehicles prohibited
17. Divert to quirky-named premises before rejoining desired route
What is really means → Junction ahead of a primary route with non-primary route through a town or village that has been by-passed
18. No, your car won’t float so don’t even try it
What is really means → Water course alongside road ahead
19. Danger. There’s a frying pan and camping stove on the road ahead
What is really means → Slow moving military vehicles likely to be crossing or in the road
20. Yes, now feel free to drive loudly again, regardless of horses on the road
What is really means → End of designated quiet lane in England
All these signs, plus many more can be viewed over at the UK Department of Transport.
Do you have any weird road signs in your country? How do they differ from the ones used here in the UK? Please leave comments below…
I love all these road signs! I think my favorite has to be the ones with the horse and buggy, as I’m sure that’s still a common thing! Love the funny comments below each one and its explanation.
Can certainly understand why some of these would be redesigned or axed altogether Andrew, some crazy ones here!
Thanks for sharing as ever.
Explain the “quiet lane” to me? We don’t have those in Aus.
Looks like it means no vehicles, cyclists, horse riding or pedestrians.
Which leaves……who to use the lane?
Some of those are still mystifying, but the editorial comments are hilarious. I think my favorite is the red circle. Looks like “sign coming soon.”
Sarah and Rebecca → I’m no comedian, but I do try 😉 Thanks for commenting.
Gareth → Of course, you and I are British, so we know what all the main one’s mean, but I don’t envy the tourist from abroad. Yes, I think crazy is the right word to use!
Andrew → I’ve never come across this sign, but they must be out there somewhere I guess…
we always remember ‘ man having trouble with umbrella’ and another personal favourite ‘ >>> <<< ' natives are hostile!
Shelagh → Natives: Which part of the UK? Theres a mixed bag of people over here in England 😉
Thanks for the laugh and information! 😉 I’m moving from USA to England in a few weeks, can’t wait! Do you have any other posts like this one? Thanks again for all your inspirations and help!