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UK Road Signs

Warning sign

Traffic signals ahead sign

Traffic signals ahead warning sign: a red-bordered triangle with red, amber and green traffic lights
Sign image: Department for Transport, © Crown copyright

What does the Traffic signals ahead sign mean?

Warns that traffic lights are coming up, often where you could not otherwise see them in time. Be ready to stop.

Also known as: Traffic lights ahead

What it means

Traffic lights are ahead, so be ready to stop.

The sign shows a set of traffic lights. It tells you to expect signals ahead, often where they would be hard to see in good time, such as after a bend or the brow of a hill.

Slow down and look for the signals. A plate may show the distance to the stop line, and a version of the sign is used where the signals only work at certain times.

Where you'll see it

On the approach to traffic lights, especially where you could not otherwise see them early.

Rules to know

  • The sign warns of traffic signals ahead. A version is used for signals that operate only at certain times.

    Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 10

  • You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing.

    The Highway Code, Rule 176

Read more

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Ignoring the sign because the lights are not yet in view.

    Instead: Ease off and be ready to stop. The lights may change before you reach them.

Test yourself

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Question 1 of 1

What does this sign mean?

Red-bordered white triangle with a black traffic light showing red, amber and green lamps

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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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Sources

Sign image: Department for Transport, Traffic sign images (diagram 543). © 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