Warning Road Sign (W5-1)
Road Narrows Ahead Sign Meaning & Driving Rules
Warns that the total width of the paved roadway or lane width is decreasing ahead.
Required Driver Action & Right-of-Way Protocol
Reduce speed, center your vehicle within lane markings, and give wide clearance to large approaching vehicles.
Detailed Overview & Purpose
The Road Narrows sign (W5-1) alerts drivers that the width of the roadway is reducing. While the number of lanes may remain the same, shoulder room and lane clearance are significantly constricted.
Drivers should center their vehicles carefully in their lanes and avoid driving side-by-side with large trucks or buses.
Key Standard & Origin: Unlike lane reduction signs (W4-2), Road Narrows means the pavement narrows without necessarily dropping an entire lane.
Where You'll Find This Sign
Posted before bridges, narrow road cuts, historic street sections, and transitions from modern highways to older roads.
Common Driver Mistakes to Avoid
Drifting over the centerline or shoulder due to restricted lane width.
How This Sign Appears on the DMV Knowledge & Road Test
Tests lane position discipline in constricted roadway sections.
Legal Penalties and Moving Violations
Sideswiping oncoming vehicles in narrow road sections carries at-fault moving violation liability.
When you encounter the official Road Narrows Ahead (W5-1) on a roadway, what is your legal duty?
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