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Motorists have been discussing their 'least helpful' road signs, admitting they're frequently baffled about what lies ahead after encountering them. One driver turned to Reddit to share a photograph of the widely-recognised "road ahead closed" sign, which countless motorists across the country will be extremely familiar with.

However, they pointed out that a sign which initially appears perfectly straightforward is far from it, explaining it "can be placed miles before your destination or turn-off, with no indication at all as to which road or where is closed off, it could not hinder you at all, but if you choose to follow the diversion you'd be taken well out of your way". They concluded: "I've taken to just ignoring them and seeing what happens, most of the time I never even see the road that is meant to be closed." Another user agreed, saying: "I usually ignore and hope for the best if it's not clear where the closure is. Sometimes works out, sometimes not."

A third said: "I had one on my way home, I ignored it. Five miles later I got home after passing numerous 'road closed ahead' signs. The closure was further ahead."

The post triggered a number of amusing observations about other road signs that users have found perplexing, bewildering or completely pointless, reports Wales Online.

One said: "I'll raise you 'new road layout ahead'. Maybe it went up last week, maybe it's been there for 10 years."

Another said: "Near me there was a new road layout sign up for years. In fact, it's been up for that long, the road layout has changed again."

Another sign put forward was the "signal priorities changed" sign, with one user saying: "There's one near me that's so old it's peeling!"

In a separate thread, a road user remarked of the very same sign: "When does a 'signal priorities changed' sign become redundant? This one is approaching 21 years old (has been in place since 2003). After 21 years, the number of people who remember the previous priority must be very small. Indeed I might be the only one. What happens if they need to change the priority for a second time?"

According to UK traffic regulations, the 'signal priorities changed' sign should be in place for no longer than three months.

Another contender put forward for "least helpful" road sign was the one intended to show falling rocks. They said: "I mean [what] are you supposed to do with this information?"

In response, a cyclist said: "One time when I was cycling, I rode into a small rock in the road and punctured. I didn't see it cos I was looking at the rock fall warning sign."

The "road ahead closed" sign serves to alert oncoming drivers to a road closure for any number of reasons, though it does not necessarily refer to the very road on which you are travelling when you spot it.

Further signs that have baffled motorists include the 'blue and red cross' sign 'everyone should know' and a large black and white road sign that left drivers saying they have 'no idea what it means'.