What is a staggered junction warning sign and what does it mean?
An unfamiliar road sign is the last thing a driver needs.
It’s so important for drivers to know the Highway Code and warnings about offset intersections or slippery roads – here’s what that sign means.
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What is an offset intersection warning sign?
Warning signs, signposts, command signs, information signs and road works signs are the five different types of signs in the Highway Code.
Offset crossing signs are a warning sign.
They are triangular in shape and show the symbol of a main street with adjacent side streets.
The sign warns motorists entering the main road from the left and right.
However, unlike an intersection where the streets face each other, the offset sign means that the two streets are a short distance apart.
The sign assists motorists on the main route by showing where a car in front of them might turn.
It gives motorists a reasonable warning so they can keep an eye on any cars approaching from side roads and slow down if necessary.
Who has the right of way at a staggered intersection?
At staggered intersections, motorists on the main road have the right of way.
This means that you must give way to vehicles on the main road coming from a secondary road.
You must wait long enough for a gap at the intersection to continue or get onto the main road.
Vehicles entering an offset intersection on the main road have priority over motorists coming from there both back roads.
While you have the right-of-way as a driver on the main road, you should still be prepared to slow down at an offset intersection if traffic comes from either side.
What are the rules for an offset crossing?
In general, it is up to drivers to determine the safest course of action at staggered intersections, as there are no definitive rules – except who has the right of way.
According to Driving Test Success, drivers turning off the main road to go onto another side road should treat the process as two separate maneuvers.
They should first enter the main road and then turn onto the secondary road a second time.
You should only treat a staggered junction as a standard junction if the junctions are staggered very close together.
