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Temporary sign

Loose chippings sign

Loose chippings warning sign: a red-bordered triangle showing a car throwing up stones from its wheel
Sign image: Department for Transport, © Crown copyright

What does the Loose chippings sign mean?

Warns of loose chippings on the road ahead. There's a risk of skidding and of stones being thrown up, so slow down.

Also known as: Flying stones sign, Gravel road sign

What it means

Loose stones are lying on the road surface, for example after resurfacing. They reduce grip and can be flung up by tyres.

The sign is often paired with a 'Max speed' plate showing an advised speed, such as 20 mph.

Keep well back from the vehicle in front, and avoid harsh braking or steering. Cyclists and motorcyclists are especially at risk of skidding on grit at road works, so give them extra room.

Rules to know

  • Risk of skidding, with a maximum speed of 20 mph advised, on a road that has loose chippings.

    Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 160

  • Skidding is usually caused by braking, accelerating or steering too harshly, or by driving too fast for the road conditions.

    The Highway Code, Rule 119

  • Take extra care near cyclists and motorcyclists, as they are vulnerable to skidding on grit, mud or other debris at road works.

    The Highway Code, Rule 288

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Driving at normal speed because the new surface looks smooth.

    Instead: Loose chippings reduce grip and can be thrown up by tyres. Slow down to the advised speed.

Test yourself

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Question 1 of 1

What does this sign mean?

Red-bordered white triangle showing a car with small stones flying from its wheel

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Download this sign

© Crown copyright. Free to reuse under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as long as the sign is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context.

Related signs

All temporary signs

Sources

Sign image: Department for Transport, Traffic sign images (diagram 7009). © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Checked against these sources and reviewed by Bikash Thapa, full UK driving licence holder. Last reviewed 4 October 2026. This page explains the sign in our own words; for the full rules, see The Highway Code. How we source and check content