Level crossing countdown markers: what they mean
Countdown markers with red bars may be placed before a level crossing. They divide the distance from the warning sign to the stop line into three equal parts.
What do level crossing countdown markers mean?
Know your traffic signs says the markers divide the distance between the advance warning sign and the stop line into 3 equal parts, and each sloping bar does not necessarily stand for 100 yards.
That is different from motorway countdown markers, where each bar is about 100 yards.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Markers counting down to a level crossing.
- Bars that count down to a motorway exit.
- A railway crossing with gates or barriers is ahead.
Show answer
A. Markers counting down to a level crossing. They count down to a level crossing in three equal parts (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: level crossing signs and signals, GOV.UK; The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On the approach to some level crossings, especially where the crossing is hard to see.
What should you do?
Slow down as the bars count down and be ready to stop at the crossing.
What do people get wrong?
Assuming each bar means 100 yards, as on a motorway. At a level crossing the bars are equal thirds of the distance.
Common questions
Does each bar mean 100 yards?
Not here. Know your traffic signs says each bar does not necessarily represent 100 yards.
Why are the bars red?
The Highway Code says white-backed markers with red bars may be used on the approaches to concealed level crossings.
Compare with
Countdown markersBars that count down to a motorway exit.
Level crossing with barrier signA railway crossing with gates or barriers is ahead.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (level crossing signs and signals) and The Highway Code (traffic signs).
- Know your traffic signs: level crossing signs and signals, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code: traffic signs, 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.