Temporary sign
Police slow sign
What does the Police slow sign mean?
A temporary sign put out by the police to warn of danger ahead. Slow down and proceed with caution.
Also known as: Police: slow
What it means
The police are warning you to slow down for a hazard ahead.
Temporary police signs warn of potential danger or an accident ahead, and the need to proceed with caution.
Slow down, watch for the police and follow their directions.
Where you'll see it
At incidents and hazards on the road ahead.
Rules to know
These temporary signs are put out by the police to warn of potential danger or an accident ahead and the need to proceed with caution.
Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 138
Common mistakes
Mistake: Treating the sign as optional.
Instead: Slow down and follow any police instructions.
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© Crown copyright. Free to reuse under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as long as the sign is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context.
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- Know Your Traffic Signs (Department for Transport, Sixth edition, 2023), Information signs, p. 138
Sign image: Department for Transport, Traffic sign images (diagram 829.1). © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Last reviewed 11 October 2026. This page explains the sign in our own words; for the full rules, see The Highway Code. How we source and check content