Distance to hazard plate: what it means
The plate shows the distance and direction to a hazard. This example indicates 250 yards in the direction of the left arrow.
What does the distance to hazard plate mean?
The plate shows how far away a hazard is and which direction it lies in. This example gives 250 yards and points left. Know your traffic signs identifies this type as showing both distance and direction.
Read the distance and arrow with the warning sign. Rule 109 says to understand and act on traffic signs.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- A STOP sign and line are this far ahead.
- A give way line is this far ahead.
- Shows the distance and direction to a hazard.
Show answer
C. Shows the distance and direction to a hazard. The number and arrow show the distance and direction to the hazard (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK; Know your traffic signs: the signing system, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 109, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
With a warning sign where the distance and direction to the hazard are shown.
What should you do?
Read the warning sign, distance and arrow together. Prepare for the indicated hazard if you travel in that direction.
What do people get wrong?
Do not read 250 yards as the length of the hazard. On this plate, it is the distance to the hazard in the arrow’s direction.
Common questions
What does 250 yds with a left arrow below a warning sign mean?
The hazard is 250 yards in the direction of the left arrow. Know your traffic signs identifies this as a distance and direction plate.
Does a distance to hazard plate show how long the hazard lasts?
No. Know your traffic signs distinguishes distance to a hazard from distance over which a hazard extends.
Compare with
Distance to STOP line signA STOP sign and line are this far ahead.
Distance to GIVE WAY line signA give way line is this far ahead.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (warning signs; the signing system) and The Highway Code rule 109.
- Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK
- Know your traffic signs: the signing system, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 109, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.