On a provincial road near Kampen you first see sign J16 (roadworks) with the under-sign '500 m'. Further along there is a speed-limit sign with the under-sign '↑500 m↑'. What does this mean for your drive?
- ✓ The roadworks start in 500 m; the speed limit applies for the next 500 m
- The roadworks run for the next 500 m; the speed limit starts in 500 m
- The roadworks and the speed limit both only start in 500 m
Correct answer: The roadworks start in 500 m; the speed limit applies for the next 500 m
Explanation
False — you ignore the arrows. '500 m' without arrows means the sign applies 500 metres from here; '↑500 m↑' with arrows means the sign applies for the next 500 metres. So the roadworks start in 500 m, while the speed limit applies right away and runs on for 500 m.
Why learners get this wrong
- Wrong: you swap the two under-signs. Without arrows ('500 m') the sign applies 500 metres from here; with arrows ('↑500 m↑') the sign applies for the next 500 metres. So the roadworks are 500 m further on, and the speed limit applies from the sign.
- Wrong: you ignore the arrows. '500 m' without arrows means the sign applies 500 metres from here; '↑500 m↑' with arrows means the sign applies for the next 500 metres. So the roadworks start in 500 m, while the speed limit applies right away and runs on for 500 m.
Topic: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance
Read the rule: Core: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance
Sections
- Challenge: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance
- The model: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance
- Core: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance
- Why it matters: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance
- Active recall: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance
- Teach back: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance
- Memory hook: Under-signs: explanation, restriction, exemption and distance