Rarely Seen Road Signs

Any motorist who takes a drive in an urban area will see one road sign after another. Most of these signs relate to speed, junctions, crossings and parking. Every motorist is familiar with them.
Some road signs are far less common, though. They may appear unexpectedly on quiet, rural roads. They may be self-explanatory; or they may need a little thought. Either way, they’re interesting because of their rarity.
No Horse-Drawn Vehicles
Horse-drawn vehicles are few and far between on UK roads. To see a sign that forbids access to horse-drawn vehicles is even rarer. Such a sign exists, however.The sign is circular with a red border. In the middle on a white background is the image of a horse pulling a cart. On top of the cart is a driver holding the reins of the horse.
Beware of Wild Horses
Most motorists wouldn’t expect to contend with wild horses on a UK road. But there are moorlands and forests where wild horses roam. And through these areas, there are roads for vehicle access.The roadside warning about wild horses is in the form of a triangular sign with a red border. Inside the border is the image of a galloping horse.
This is distinct from the more common sign that alerts motorists to accompanied horses. In this instance, the image within the triangular red border is that of a person riding a horse that is calmly walking.
Try Your Brakes
“Try Your Brakes” is a request to motorists that appears in another warning triangle.Such a request may seem potentially dangerous if there are other cars on the road. It may be, however, that a steep descent with sharp corners lies ahead.
Motorists should follow the sign’s advice with care. First ensure that any car behind is some way off.
Grounding Risk
The image on this triangular warning sign is alarming. It shows a lorry with a trailer balanced like a see-saw on a large hump in the road.The sign warns motorists of obstructions. These are so big they may catch on a chassis and bring a vehicle to a halt.
The obstructions may be permanent features of a road and are likely to be dangerous. If the sign appears, proceed with caution.
Supplementary Plates
Supplementary plates are usually white with a black border and black lettering. They may accompany warning signs or stand on their own. Sometimes they are temporary.One of the more unusual supplementary plates is one that says “Dust cloud”. This plate is likely to be temporary. Dust clouds in the UK are rare. They may be the result of freak weather conditions. Dust clouds may also drift from quarries where there is blasting.
Another rare supplementary plate is “Play street”. Motorists need to read such plates carefully when they see them. Beneath the words “Play street”, the sign usually gives details of the hours during which the street is a designated play area. These hours could be 9 a.m. to sunset, for example. Further wording may confirm that motorists can use the street for access at any time.
Re: History of Cats Eyes and Their Function for the Road User
Cats eyes are an amazing invention. To change history like calling them road studs is…
Re: Driving When Approaching a School Crossing Patrol
If I am stopped by a patrol person (lollipop) is my child permitted to leave a vehicle when the car is…
Re: Road Markings that Indicate Parking Restrictions
Recently roads have been blocked off in my area where I live and only allows bikes down the bike lane…
Re: History of Road Markings and How they were First Designed
My great grandfather Andrew MYLES worked for R J Clare in Liverpool and is credited on their…
Re: Explain a Red Route
Am I right in thinking that I can park in a Loading Bay at any time outside the restricted hours?
Re: What are the Different Types of Loading Restrictions?
Am I right in assuming that I can park in a designated loading bay at any time outside of the…
Re: Using an Emergency Telephone on the Motorway
A non-working emergency telephone on the M4, travelling west towards JUnction 13. The number of the phone…
Re: Who Decides Where Road Signs Should Go?
I live in the village of Leasingham which is in Lincolnshire. We have the B1209 that connects the A15 to the…
Re: Painted Chevrons: What Do they Mean?
The chevrons painted on the motorways are insufficient to be useful to denote the safe stopping distances. As you say…
Re: What are the Different Types of Loading Restrictions?
I parked on single yellow line with single yellow kerb dashes markings at 10.30am to 11.00am on…