Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 4 - Warning Signs. 2013.pdf/63



The sign to diagram 582 may be used at locations where military vehicles are expected either to cross the road ahead or to be moving at low speed along the road. If the vehicles have regular entry and exit points along the road, distance plates may be appropriate (see section 18).

The sign is not restricted to warning of tanks; it may be used for any military vehicles which are either larger than might normally be expected along that type of road, or travel at reduced speed.

The slow-moving vehicles signs, diagrams 583 and 583.1, are intended for use on roads where the gradient is such as to have an adverse effect on the speed of heavy commercial vehicles, thereby causing a potential hazard to other vehicles in the same lane. This is not simply a question of congestion. The problem can occur even when there is more than one lane. At times of light traffic flow, a vehicle being driven in the left hand lane at 70 mph might close unexpectedly rapidly on a slow-moving lorry, or on a queue of vehicles waiting to pass it.

The criteria for using these signs will differ from the criteria for normal steep hill signs because they are aimed at drivers following the slow vehicle and not at the driver of the slow vehicle itself. In addition to the gradient of the hill, consideration should be given to the length of the hill and the differential speed of heavy and other traffic. They are most likely to be of use on motorways and high-speed dual carriageway roads with substandard gradients. The sign should be used for uphill traffic only; the "steep hill" signs in section 6 should be used in the downhill direction. 62