Learn about the Bend to the Left or Right road sign.


Approximately 2 minutes reading time

What is the "Bend to the Left or Right" road sign?

While driving on the roads of the UK, you will find many signs that will instruct you to bend either to the left or right. These signs are placed on the road to make the drivers aware of the upcoming turn. 

The UK road signs for bends are generally black and white in a red triangle. The signs are placed in such a way that they are visible to the drivers from a distance. 

In the British countryside, bends will always be present. Without this sign being displayed, there would be a lot of crashes and accidents due to drivers not knowing or expecting the bend, especially if it's sharp.

What does the "Bend to the Left/Right" sign mean?

The "Bend to the Left/Right" sign is placed on the road to warn the drivers about an upcoming turn. Depending on the direction of the arrow, the drivers should either turn left or right. This sign is usually placed before a sharp turn in the road.

The bends in the road may be gradual or sharp and the signs are placed accordingly. If the bend is sharp, then the sign will have a greater degree of curvature. These signs are placed on both major and minor roads.

This sign is important because it helps drivers be aware of an upcoming turn so that they can slow down and safely navigate the turn. This sign is especially important on roads with high-speed limits. If you see this sign, be sure to slow down and safely navigate the turn.

How common is this sign?

The road sign is quite common, and you'll often see it on curvy or hilly roads. It's there to remind drivers to slow down and take the turns carefully. Depending on the severity of the bend, the sign will either say "Bend to Left" or "Bend to Right." If you're not paying attention, it's easy to miss this sign and end up going too fast around the turn. So, be sure to keep an eye out for it!

Where are you likely to see the "Bend to the Left/Right" sign?

This sign is often placed before a sharp turn in the road. It is used to warn drivers to slow down and be prepared to turn the steering wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow. Additionally, this sign may be placed before a series of turns. In this case, the sign would indicate the general direction of the upcoming turns, as well as the number of turns. Finally, this sign may be placed before a one-way street that has a turn. In this instance, the sign would warn drivers to turn in the direction indicated by the arrow and stay on the one-way street.

When did this sign first come into action?

During the early days of motoring, there were no rules or regulations regarding road signs. In 1911, the Department for Transport (DfT) was established in the United Kingdom and began to standardize the road signs. It wasn't until 1934 that the DfT released a manual that outlined the design and function of road signs. The "Bend to the Left/Right" sign is included in this manual. 

The "Bend to the Left/Right" sign has been in use for over 80 years and is a vital part of the UK road signage system. The sign is a simple, yet effective way to remind drivers to slow down and be careful when taking turns.


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