Road Narrows sign
The pavement narrows ahead so that vehicles going in opposite directions may not be able to pass each other without slowing.
What to do
Slow down and keep right; watch for oncoming traffic.
Slow down, keep to the right edge of your lane and watch for wide oncoming vehicles in the narrow section.
Where it's used
Section 2C.17 says a ROAD NARROWS (W5-1) sign should be used before a point on a two-lane road where the pavement suddenly narrows so much that opposing vehicles cannot pass through together without slowing. It is a black-on-yellow diamond word sign, and it may be omitted on low-volume local streets with speed limits of 30 mph or less. Object markers, delineators and an Advisory Speed plaque may be added for emphasis.
Don't confuse it with
- Narrow Bridge: NARROW BRIDGE is for a bridge or culvert narrower than the road, while ROAD NARROWS is for the roadway itself.
- Lane Ends: Lane Ends means one lane in your direction is dropped, while ROAD NARROWS means the two-way pavement gets tight.
- One Lane Bridge: ONE LANE BRIDGE means only one vehicle can cross at a time.
- Type
- Warning signs
- Shape
- Diamond
- Colors
- yellow, black
- MUTCD code
- W5-1
- MUTCD section
- 2C.17
On state permit tests
Our questions for 2 states ask about this sign, including Montana and Rhode Island.
Test yourself
What does a 'Road Narrows' sign mean? (Montana practice test)
- Trucks prohibited
- The road ends
- The road ahead is narrower, but there is room to meet and pass
- Only one lane ahead
Show answer
The road ahead is narrower, but there is room to meet and pass. The road ahead is not as wide as the road you're on, but there is room to meet and pass.
What does this sign mean? (Rhode Island practice test)
- Added lane
- Lane ends
- Road narrows
- Narrow bridge
Show answer
Road narrows. This warning sign shows the road narrows ahead.
More warning signs
Turn
Curve
Reverse Turn
Reverse Curve
Winding Road
One-Direction Large Arrow
Two-Direction Large Arrow
Chevron AlignmentFrom the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2C.17. Sign image: public domain, source.