Drivers confused by red and blue cross road sign ‘everyone should know’

Motorists are being urged to refresh their understanding of road signs after experts revealed that a considerable number of drivers remain baffled by the symbols.

The UK Government’s official guide, Know Your Traffic Signs, spans a whopping 172 pages, so it comes as little surprise that many cause widespread confusion. People regularly turn to social media seeking clarification on the meaning of various road signs too.

This particular sign is extremely common across the UK, meaning there’s every chance you’ve encountered it — indeed, one Reddit user responded to somebody querying its meaning by stating bluntly: “This is one of the basic signs people who drive in this country should know. Not knowing what the sign is or how to check is an absolute failure.” Another added: “How do you exist as a driver with a license without knowing what a sign like this means?”

Despite those sentiments, there’s a reasonable chance you don’t know precisely what it means. The sign features a red circle with a blue background and a red diagonal cross inside, and while it may appear familiar to most motorists, not everyone fully understands its meaning.

According to insurance specialists at One Sure Insurance, confusion over road signs is far more widespread than most people would anticipate. Furthermore, data from the AA suggests that while the majority of drivers consider themselves safe on the roads, roughly half admit they struggle with certain sections of the Highway Code. This gap in knowledge can result in motorists inadvertently breaching regulations or misinterpreting signage while driving.

The red-and-blue cross sign denotes a clearway, meaning motorists are prohibited from stopping at any point. Unlike certain other restrictions which only operate during specified hours, the clearway regulation means you cannot halt your vehicle on that section of road for any reason whatsoever, unless it is an emergency situation. This includes stopping to:

• Pick up or drop off passengers
• Check directions
• Make a phone call
• Wait briefly in the car

The UK Government’s official guidance states: “The red cross means no stopping, not even to pick up or set down passengers. The sign is used to indicate a 24-hour clearway (usually on a rural road) or may be incorporated into other signs with the words ‘No stopping’ (eg the ‘no stopping except local buses’ sign at bus stops).

“On a 24-hour clearway, the prohibition of stopping applies to the main running carriageway, slip roads and any acceleration and deceleration areas. You may stop in a lay-by unless there are signs to say otherwise. A 24-hour clearway does not have any special road markings, but smaller repeater signs might be provided at intervals along the road as a reminder to drivers.”

Given that stopping is entirely forbidden, any motorist who pulls up within a clearway zone risks receiving a fine or penalty notice.

However, one reason the sign causes such confusion could be its resemblance to other blue-and-red road signs found throughout the UK, which all carry slightly different meanings. For instance, a sign displaying a single red line through a blue circle denotes an “urban clearway”.

An urban clearway is essentially the same as a clearway but with a few more “ifs and buts” thrown in. These will usually be accompanied by additional information, such as times and days when the restrictions apply.

Failing to grasp the difference between the two could lead motorists to believe they are stopping legally when they are, in fact, breaking the law.

Clearways are typically implemented on busy roads where stopping could trigger traffic congestion or pose safety risks, such as major routes into city centres or high-traffic roads.

By prohibiting vehicles from stopping altogether, authorities aim to keep traffic flowing freely and reduce the likelihood of sudden braking or blockages.

For motorists unsure about road signage, experts recommend revisiting the Highway Code to ensure you fully understand the rules – particularly as misunderstandings can result in fines or dangerous situations on the road. They say refreshing your knowledge of road signs could help drivers steer clear of penalties, accidents, and insurance claims.

A spokesperson for One Sure Insurance stated: “We see a lot of accidents or traffic violations happen because drivers simply don’t understand or recognise certain road signs.

“These mistakes may seem minor at first, but they can lead to fines, insurance claims, and in worst-case scenarios, serious accidents. It’s vital to take the time to understand every road sign you encounter.”