Road signs / Warning signs

Warning road signs in Ireland

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with a black picture, and Ireland is unusual in using that shape and colour. They flag a hazard ahead rather than a rule you must obey.

A warning sign does not set a speed limit. It tells you to slow to whatever speed makes the hazard safe, which on a wet bend can be far below the posted limit.

All 57 warning signs

Automatic level crossing
This sign gives advance warning of an automatic level crossing ahead. Drivers should approach with caution and be prepared to slow down or stop as necessary.
Beware of children crossing
These signs are usually displayed in residential areas, and they give advance warning that children might be crossing ahead. You should proceed cautiously and be prepared to stop suddenly.
Cattle or farm animals
Possibility of cattle or farm animals ahead.
This sign gives advance warning that there may be cattle or other farm animals on the road ahead. Slow down if required and be prepared to stop.
Crossroads with a dual carriageway
Crossroads with dual carriageway ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a crossroads junction at a dual carriageway ahead. Drivers need to be observant, taking extra care for traffic coming from each direction. Yield, anchor, or stop as appropriate.
Crossroads with a major road
Crossroads with major road ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a crossroads junction with a major road ahead. Be prepared to stop.
Crossroads with roads of equal importance
Crossroads ahead with roads of equal importance.
This sign gives advance warning of a crossroad junction ahead where the roads are of equal importance. At this type of junction, you should yield to traffic approaching from the right and traffic already turning.
Crosswinds
This sign gives advance warning that there may be crosswinds ahead. Crosswinds can affect the stability of your vehicle on the road. Be prepared to slow down if necessary.
Dangerous bend
This sign gives advance warning of a dangerous bend to the left. You may need to slow down and react to any changes in the traffic situation ahead.
Dangerous corner
This sign gives advance warning of a dangerous corner to the left. You may need to slow down and react to any changes in the traffic situation ahead.
Deer or wild animals
This sign gives advance warning that there may be deer or other wild animals coming onto the roadway. Be prepared to slow down or stop suddenly if required.
Dual carriageway ends
This sign gives advance warning of the end of a dual carriageway. You will soon be entering a way road.
End of central reserve
End of central reserve or obstruction.
This roadworks warning sign tells you that traffic previously separated by the central reserve or an obstruction will revert to two-way traffic.
Falling rocks
Danger of falling rocks ahead.
This sign gives advance warning that there is a danger of rocks and other debris falling onto the road. Drive with caution.
Horses and ponies
Accompanied horses and ponies ahead.
This sign gives advance warning that there may be horses on the road ahead. You should show due regard for horses and their riders.
Junction with roads of lesser importance
Junction ahead with roads of lesser importance.
This sign gives advance warning of a junction ahead with minor roads on either side. Be aware that vehicles may be emerging from the minor roads.
Level crossing with gates
Level crossing ahead, guarded by gates or barriers.
This sign gives advance warning of a railway crossing ahead that is protected by gates or lifting barriers. You should be prepared to stop and follow the required procedure.
Level crossing with lights and barriers
Level crossing ahead protected by lights and barriers.
This sign gives advance warning of a railway level crossing ahead protected by lights and barriers. The crossing may also have an audible warning alarm. You should be prepared to stop.
Level crossing without gates
Level crossing ahead, unguarded by gates or barriers.
This sign gives advanced warning of an unguarded level crossing ahead. This is a crossing without gates or barriers, and you should cross it with extreme caution.
Low bridge
Low bridge up ahead.
This sign gives advance warning that you are approaching a low bridge with restricted headroom, as shown on the sign.
Low-flying aircraft
Possibility of low-flying aircraft.
This sign gives advance warning that there may be low-flying aircraft in the area. Low-flying aircraft can cause distraction due to a sudden loud noise.
Mini-roundabout ahead
Mini-roundabout ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a mini-roundabout ahead. You must be prepared to yield to other road users already on the roundabout or coming from the right.
Overhead electric cables
This sign gives advance warning of electric cables overhead. Drivers with a high load should be particularly careful.
Pedestrian crossing ahead
Pedestrian crossing ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a pedestrian crossing ahead. You should show caution and be prepared to stop.
Road divides
This sign gives advance warning that the road divides ahead. You should prepare to move to the left.
Road narrows from the left
Road narrows from left.
This warning sign tells you that there are roadworks up ahead where the road narrows from the left, creating a potential hazard.
Road narrows from the right
Road narrows from right.
Where there are roadworks up ahead, this warning sign tells you that the road narrows from the right, creating a potential hazard.
Road narrows on both sides
This roadworks warning sign tells you that the road narrows on both sides, creating a potential hazard. Be prepared to slow down and drive with extra care.
Road narrows on the left
This sign gives advance warning that the road narrows on the left ahead. You should show caution and prepare to adjust your road position.
Roundabout ahead
Roundabout ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a roundabout ahead. You must be prepared to yield to other road users already on the roundabout or coming from the right.
School ahead
School ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a school ahead. You should adjust your speed and react accordingly, as there may be children in the area.
School children crossing
This sign gives advance warning that there may be school children crossing the road ahead. Slow down if required and be prepared to stop.
Series of bumps or hollows
This sign gives advance warning of a series of bumps or hollows ahead. Be prepared to reduce your speed as necessary.
Series of dangerous bends
This sign gives advance warning of a series of dangerous bends ahead. You should slow down and react to any changes in the traffic situation.
Series of dangerous corners
This sign gives advance warning of a series of dangerous corners ahead. You should slow down and react to any changes in the traffic situation.
Sharp change of direction
Sharp change of direction to the right.
This sign gives advance warning of a sharp change of direction to the right. You should slow down as you approach the hazard.
Sharp dip
Sharp depression or dip ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a dip or depression in the road ahead, which may be hidden and could obscure your view of oncoming traffic. You should reduce your speed accordingly and be aware that overtaking is dangerous in these areas.
Sharp rise or humpback bridge
Sharp rise in the road ahead—for example, a humpback bridge.
This sign gives advance warning of a hump in the road. You should adjust your speed accordingly.
Sheep
Possibility of sheep ahead.
This sign gives advance warning that there may be sheep on the road ahead. Slow down if required and be prepared to stop.
Slippery road
This sign gives advance warning of the potential danger of slippery road surfaces ahead.
Staggered crossroads
Staggered crossroads ahead with roads of equal importance.
This sign gives advance warning of a staggered junction ahead with roads to the left and right. Be aware that vehicles may be emerging from these roads.
Start of central reserve
Start of central reserve or obstruction.
This roadworks warning sign tells you that two-way traffic will separate to avoid an obstruction.
Steep ascent
This sign gives advance warning of a steep ascent/upward hill ahead. You should react by selecting the appropriate gear.
Steep descent
This sign gives advance warning of a steep descent/downward slope ahead. You should react accordingly by adjusting speed and selecting the appropriate gear.
T-junction with a dual carriageway
T-junction with dual carriageway ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a T-junction at a dual carriageway ahead. Drivers need to be observant, taking extra care for traffic coming from each direction. Yield, anchor, or stop as appropriate.
T-junction with a major road
T-junction ahead with a road of major importance.
This sign gives advance warning of a T-junction ahead with a major road. Be prepared to yield or stop as necessary.
T-junction with roads of equal importance
T-junction ahead with roads of equal importance.
This sign gives advance warning of a T-junction ahead with a road of equal importance. You must give way to traffic already on the road you are joining.
Traffic merging from the left
This sign gives advance warning of traffic merging from the left. You should expect vehicles to join from the left. You may need to slow down, allowing them to merge safely.
Traffic merging or diverging
Traffic merging/diverging ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of roads both merging, entering onto the main road, and diverging, exiting the main road. Drivers should be prepared for traffic changing speed and direction as vehicles enter or exit at the junctions on the left ahead.
Traffic signals ahead
Traffic signals ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a traffic-light-controlled junction ahead. This sign is generally found in areas where the lights may not be visible to drivers in good time—for example, following a bend in the road.
Tramway crossing
This sign gives advance warning of a tram crossing ahead. You should be prepared to stop and yield to the tram if required.
Tunnel ahead
Tunnel ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of a tunnel ahead. You should be aware of the procedures to follow when entering a tunnel – which include keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead or removing sunglasses.
Two-way traffic
This warning sign tells you that during roadworks there will be two-way traffic in operation ahead. Continue to drive with extra care.
Two-way traffic ahead
Two-way traffic ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of two-way traffic ahead, with oncoming traffic in the opposite lane.
Uneven surface
This roadworks warning sign tells you that the road surface may be uneven, possibly due to the resurfacing of part of a lane. Proceed with caution.
Unprotected quay, canal or river
Unprotected quay, canal, or river ahead.
This sign gives advance warning of an unprotected area of water ahead. You should be cautious due to the extreme danger.
Y-junction with roads of equal importance
Y-junction ahead with roads of equal importance.
This sign gives advance warning of a Y-junction ahead with roads of equal importance. Approach such a junction with caution and be prepared to react to any changes in the traffic situation.
Y-junction, main road bears left
Y-junction where the main road bears to the left.
This sign gives advance warning of a Y-junction with a minor road ahead. The wider arm of the Y indicates the course of the main road.