Check your distance sign

What it means

Check that you are leaving a safe gap to the vehicle in front.

Some motorways have chevron markings in the centre of the lanes, spaced 40 metres apart. Signs advise you to check your distance and keep two chevrons apart.

Keeping two chevrons between you and the vehicle in front gives a safe distance at 70 mph.

Where you'll see it

On motorways, often with chevrons painted on the road.

Rules to know

• Chevron markings are spaced 40 metres apart. Keeping two marks between your vehicle and the one in front provides a safe driving distance at 70 mph. Signs advise you to check your distance, keep two chevrons apart and keep your distance.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 103

• Allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on high-speed roads.

  The Highway Code, Rule 126

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Closing up in busy traffic.

  Instead: Keep at least two chevrons, or two seconds, between you and the vehicle in front.

Test yourself

Recalling the answer helps it stick. Pick an answer to see how you did.

Question 1 of 1

What does this sign mean?

• AThe entrance to a motorway service area
• BCheck your gap to the vehicle in front
• CMotorway regulations end here
• DThe motorway ends in 1 mile

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