Cracking the case of the curious fried egg traffic sign in Spain

Of Spain’s more than 400 road signs, this one is probably the weirdest and most confusing

In 2023, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) unveiled dozens of new road signs all across Spain that sent drivers into a tail-spin. To be fair, most of them were pretty self-explanatory and didn’t deviate much from the ones we’re familiar with in the UK and the rest of Europe, but one curious addition, which has become affectionately known as the ‘fried egg’ road sign, defies all logic and has left motorists utterly baffled about its purpose.

Spain now has more than 400 unique road signs and the R-3, or fried egg, is so called because of its resemblance to the favourite breakfast food: it consists of a white diamond with a smaller, bright yellow diamond in the middle.

But far from indicating an upcoming diner or truck stop, the R-3 is actually intended to advise drivers that vehicles already on that particular stretch of road have right of way over cars joining the traffic flow from a secondary road or intersection.

Could the designers not come up with something a little clearer?

What other confusing signs are out there?

Well, the list is a pretty long one, but there are definitely three stand-outs.

Firstly, the P-12, which has prompted thousands of posts and comments on social media. The sign is an important one, since it warns drivers approaching airports that there may be low-flying planes overhead, which can cause distractions due to the intense noise during take-off and landing.

The controversy isn’t about the design of the sign but rather, many motorists are left wondering what on earth the DGT expects them do if they pass under the path of a plane that’s flying too low. A Jeep versus a Jumbo Jet? No contest.

Next up is the delightful P-27, which signals the end of the road by depicting a car plunging over a cliff into the sea. Not exactly confusing, but a bit macabre for most people’s taste.

Finally, there’s the R-115, which shows a stick figure pushing what looks like a long, oddly-shaped wheelbarrow. This badly-drawn sign means people aren’t allowed to push or pull handcarts on main roads.

We’re wondering who actually needs to be told that.

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Image: DGT

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