Countdown markers: what they mean

Motorway countdown marker: a blue upright sign with three white diagonal bars
Image: Crown copyright, OGL

Countdown markers show how far it is to the start of the exit lane. Each bar is about 100 yards: three bars about 300 yards, two about 200 and one about 100.

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What it means

Know your traffic signs: countdown markers indicate the distance to the start of the deceleration lane, and each bar represents about 100 yards. Use them to move into the left-hand lane and signal in good time (rule 273).

Blue markers are used on motorways. The Highway Code adds that green-backed markers may be used on primary routes and white-backed markers with black bars on other routes.

Where you see it

Before motorway exits that have a deceleration lane. Know your traffic signs notes that lane-drop junctions do not use them, because there is no deceleration lane to move into.

A common mistake

Leaving it until the one-bar marker to move left. Rule 273 says to move into the left-hand lane well before reaching your exit.

Quick quiz

About how far is it to the start of the exit lane at the marker with two bars?

  1. About 200 yards
  2. About 2 miles
  3. About 20 yards
Show answer

A. About 200 yards. Each bar represents about 100 yards. Source: The Highway Code, rule 273, GOV.UK; Know your traffic signs: motorway signs, signals and road markings, GOV.UK; The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK

Compare with

Next in information signs: Priority over oncoming vehicles sign. See all information signs or the full road signs list.

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Sources

  1. The Highway Code, rule 273, GOV.UK
  2. Know your traffic signs: motorway signs, signals and road markings, GOV.UK
  3. The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK
  4. Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.