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Loose chippings
The sign warns of loose chippings.
When you see the sign
Adjust your speed because loose stones may be thrown up by your own or other vehicles. Keep a greater distance from the vehicle ahead, and avoid unnecessary overtaking or hard acceleration on this stretch.
Rules
- The sign warns of a risk of stone chips, often due to loose gravel, a newly treated surface or roadworks.
- You must choose a speed that is appropriate for the road grip, visibility and the risk of stones being thrown up.
- The sign does not set a specific speed limit; any lower speed limit will be shown by a separate sign.
- An auxiliary plate may indicate the distance to the hazard or the length of the stretch affected.
Tips
- Increase the distance from the vehicle ahead so that stones thrown backwards have more time to fall to the ground.
- Reduce your speed gradually before entering the section with loose stones.
- Avoid hard acceleration and sudden braking, which can cause stone chips or reduce your grip on the road.
- If possible, wait before overtaking, because the wheels of both vehicles may throw up stones.
Common misconceptions
- Assuming that the sign warns of a rockfall or stones falling from the mountainside. It warns of stones being thrown up from the road surface.
- Assuming that the sign itself imposes a specific speed limit.
- Driving too close behind the vehicle ahead, even though this increases the risk of damage to the windscreen and bodywork.
Test yourself
Easy
What does this sign warn about?
- AIt warns that several dangerous bends are coming.
- BIt warns of a risk of stones being thrown up from the road surface.
- CIt warns that the road becomes narrower on both sides.
- DIt warns of a risk of stones falling from the mountainside.
Medium
You pass this sign, and the vehicle in front swirls up loose gravel. What should you do?
- AI increase my speed and quickly pass the vehicle in front.
- BI reduce my speed if necessary and increase the distance to the vehicle in front.
- CI stop in the carriageway and wait until the gravel has settled.
- DI maintain the same speed and reduce the distance to the vehicle in front.
Hard
You pass this sign without a supplementary sign or a new speed-limit sign on a road with a speed limit of 80 km/t. What applies?
- AThe speed limit automatically becomes 60 km/t until the hazard has been passed.
- BThe speed limit is temporarily cancelled, so that only the road conditions determine the speed.
- CThe speed limit is still 80 km/t, but your speed must be adapted to the conditions.
- DThe speed limit automatically becomes 50 km/t until the hazard has been passed.
Theory test tip
Look closely at the symbol: stones being thrown up by the wheels indicate a risk of stone chips. Do not confuse it with signs warning of a narrower road, a steep gradient or dangerous bends.
Did you know
The sign is often used at roadworks and after surface treatment, when loose stones may remain on the carriageway before they have been pressed into the surface or removed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have to slow down when I see the sign?
You must adapt your speed to the specific hazard. If loose stones, traffic or road conditions make your original speed unsafe, you must reduce your speed.
Does the sign mean that stones may fall from the mountain?
No. The sign warns of stones that may be thrown up from the road surface by the vehicles' wheels, not of rockfalls.
Is it prohibited to overtake on this stretch?
The sign does not introduce a separate overtaking prohibition. However, overtaking may still be inconsiderate or unsafe because higher speed and a shorter lateral distance increase the risk of stone chips.
How long does the warning apply?
The hazard applies on the indicated stretch. An auxiliary plate may show the distance to the area or the length of the stretch.
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