Risk of ice sign: what it means
The risk of ice sign warns that the road ahead may be icy. Some versions say Snowdrifts instead.
What does the risk of ice sign mean?
Know your traffic signs lists it as “risk of ice”; the word on the plate may be changed to “Snowdrifts”.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- The road surface ahead may be slippery.
- Strong side winds likely ahead.
- Ice may be on the road ahead.
Show answer
C. Ice may be on the road ahead. A risk of ice on the road ahead (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 126, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 231, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On high or exposed roads, bridges and shaded stretches that freeze first.
What should you do?
Drive slowly in as high a gear as possible, and accelerate and brake very gently. Slow down on the straight before bends (rule 231). Leave a much bigger gap: in icy weather stopping distances can be up to ten times longer than on dry roads (rule 126).
What do people get wrong?
Assuming the road is fine because it looks only wet. When you drive on ice, the tyres make almost no noise and the steering may feel light (rule 231).
Common questions
How do I know if I am driving on ice?
The steering can feel unresponsive and the tyres make virtually no noise (The Highway Code, rule 231).
How much longer is stopping distance on ice?
Stopping distances can be up to ten times greater on icy roads (The Highway Code, rule 126).
Compare with
Slippery road signThe road surface ahead may be slippery.
Side winds signStrong side winds likely ahead.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (warning signs) and The Highway Code rules 126 and 231.
- Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 126, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 231, 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.