A warning sign
Traffic queues likely ahead
A red triangle showing a queue of cars warns that stationary or slow-moving traffic is likely ahead.
01
What it means
It's most important at speed: on a fast A-road or a motorway approach, a queue over a crest or round a bend can appear with little warning, and rear-end collisions happen when drivers arrive too fast. Ease off early, increase your following distance, and use your mirrors before you brake so the driver behind gets your warning too.
02
Where you'll see it
Motorway and dual-carriageway approaches, busy junctions, and roadworks - often with a matrix sign showing a temporary lower limit.
03
On your driving test
Anticipation and mirror use: slow in good time, keep a safe gap, and brake progressively. Late, hard braking because you read the road too slowly is a fault.
Often confused with
Quick answers
How should I react to a 'queues likely' sign?
Ease off early, check your mirrors, and open up your following distance - so if the queue is over the next crest, you can stop smoothly and the driver behind has time too.
Sign artwork is Crown copyright, reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0; meanings from the Highway Code (gov.uk).
Last updated:
Start with a first lesson.