What does the sign below the sign indicate?

Explanation

The distance from the sign to the point where the restriction begins.

The round sign with a red border, two inward-facing arrows and the figure 2.7 m prohibits the passage of vehicles wider than 2.7 metres. The supplementary plate beneath it carries only a figure, 300 m, with no arrow at all; and a supplementary plate with a figure alone means the distance from where the sign stands to where the restriction begins.

The presence or absence of arrows changes the whole answer and is asked in various forms throughout the exam. A figure alone means "in 300 metres you will reach the restriction"; but if that same figure were written between two arrows, it would mean "this zone is 300 metres long". Before choosing an option, look at the arrows first.

The safety reason for this advance warning is clear: the driver of a lorry or wide vehicle must decide before reaching the constriction. The width of his load cannot be judged by eye, and if he only realises a few metres from the obstacle he has no option but hard braking, reversing on an open road or a dangerous turnaround; all three are hazardous in traffic. Three hundred metres of warning means enough time to choose an alternative route before the road closes.

• The length of the restricted section is announced when the figure appears between two arrows; here the figure stands alone. Besides, the main sign speaks of permitted width, not of the road narrowing. • An alternative route is indicated by direction signs; a supplementary plate beneath a prohibitory sign states the distance to the prohibition itself.

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