Most motorists fancy themselves as competent drivers.
Indeed, one should only take to the roads if they’re prepared to be both astute and patient. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t occasionally refresh our knowledge.
Annie Winterburn, a driving instructor who shares her wisdom on TikTok under the handle @theorytestpractice, revealed there are two common road signs that often baffle drivers. It appears even the simplest things can perplex people.
According to a recent video by Annie, the sign indicating the end of a dual carriageway frequently confuses drivers. This is due to the striking similarity between two different signs.
She displays them side by side to highlight the subtle difference, which requires keen observation. Both signs feature a red triangle, but the symbols within differ slightly.
Both depict two parallel lines, symbolising a road, converging towards the top. However, this is where the distinction lies.
While one gap completely closes, the other merely narrows but stays open. Annie concedes they look “very similar”, but their meanings are vastly different.
Holding up the sign where the gap remains open, she explained: “This sign here is showing you two lines, and these two lines get closer together. So, what it’s showing you is that the road gets narrow.
“Look how wide the road is here, and look how wide it is here. So this sign is warning you that the road gets narrow on both sides, which is different to this sign (the one where the road appears to close together).
“This sign you can see two carriageways and then you can see one carriageway, so this sign is warning you that you’re driving towards the end of a dual carriageway.”
The straightforward video has garnered significant attention, having been viewed over 18,000 times. Annie’s followers appear to be fans of her videos, with many attributing their theory test success to her clips.
Sometimes, a visual demonstration can make all the difference in understanding. Plus, things are always easier to learn when they’re simplified.
One viewer commented: “I passed my theory test today. Don’t think I could have done it without all your helpful videos. Thank you.”
Another responded: “Wow, I didn’t know that. Thank you.” A third chimed in with: “I just passed my theory test thanks to you. She’s amazing guys!”
