Crossroads ahead sign
What the Crossroads ahead sign means: A road crosses yours just ahead, so watch for traffic entering from both the left and the right.
- Group
- Warning signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Not enforceable on its own. It changes nothing about right of way.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Ease off and cover the brake as you approach.
- Look left and right early, because a vehicle may enter from either side road.
- Check whether the intersection is controlled, and if it is not, apply the give way rules rather than assuming priority.
- Do not overtake near the intersection, since a vehicle in front may be about to turn.
Where you see it
On rural roads and outer suburban roads where a side road crosses without traffic lights, and in places where a crossing road is hidden by vegetation or a crest.
Across the states and territories
Used nationally. Rural crossroads without any control are more common in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory because of the distances involved, so the give way rules at an uncontrolled intersection carry more weight there in practice.
Tell it apart from these
- Crossroads aheadthis pageT intersection ahead
At a crossroads the road continues on the other side. At a T intersection yours ends, and you must turn.
T intersection ahead: The road you are on ends at a road across it, so you will have to turn left or right and give way.
- Crossroads aheadthis pageTraffic signals ahead
The signals version tells you the intersection is controlled. The plain crossroads version usually means it is not.
Traffic signals ahead: Traffic lights are ahead, often where you cannot see them from far away, so be ready to stop.
How the knowledge tests use it
It anchors give way questions at uncontrolled intersections, which are among the most commonly failed questions in every jurisdiction.
What does this sign mean?
The symbol is a plan view of two roads crossing. Traffic can appear from your left and your right at that point.
State and territory driver handbooks, warning signs
Common questions
- What does the Crossroads ahead sign mean?
- A road crosses yours just ahead, so watch for traffic entering from both the left and the right.
- What should you do when you see a Crossroads ahead sign?
- Ease off and cover the brake as you approach. Look left and right early, because a vehicle may enter from either side road. Check whether the intersection is controlled, and if it is not, apply the give way rules rather than assuming priority. Do not overtake near the intersection, since a vehicle in front may be about to turn.
- Where is the Crossroads ahead sign used?
- On rural roads and outer suburban roads where a side road crosses without traffic lights, and in places where a crossing road is hidden by vegetation or a crest.
- What is the Crossroads ahead sign confused with?
- T intersection ahead: At a crossroads the road continues on the other side. At a T intersection yours ends, and you must turn. Traffic signals ahead: The signals version tells you the intersection is controlled. The plain crossroads version usually means it is not.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Crossroads ahead sign?
- It anchors give way questions at uncontrolled intersections, which are among the most commonly failed questions in every jurisdiction.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More warning signs
Yellow diamond with a black symbol.