French road sign expands to Spain - but most drivers unaware of its meaning
Road sign is only in use for specific weather conditions
The sign has existed for over 50 years
Smiltena / Wikimedia Commons
Do you know what the road sign pictured above means?
Drivers in Spain are now beginning to see it on roads – in a slightly different format – however it has existed in France for over 50 years.
Despite being introduced through a 1967 decree many drivers in France do not know what the sign means and may never have come across it.
Car magazine L’automobiliste claims that up to two-thirds of people do not know what it represents.
Fog warning
It signifies the presence of heavy fog in an area, represented by the black lines the vehicle is driving into.
When the sign is present drivers must adapt their driving behaviour to account for the weather conditions.
This includes lowering their speed and leaving more space between themselves and other vehicles.
Read more: Driving through fog in France: rules and penalties for infractions
Read more: Do adverse weather conditions affect driving rules in France?
The sign is not well known in France because it is only in use during fog – the yellow background means it is not a permanent sign.
The Spanish version of the sign is slightly different.
A white background replaces the French yellow one and the car is facing the opposite direction. However, the triangular shape and red pattern remain.
French authorities recently began using a Spanish road symbol on some motorways, representing danger on sharp bends.
Read more: What the new red lines on these French motorways mean
