Warning Triangles

About Warning Triangles

Warning triangles are essential roadside safety devices designed to alert approaching traffic to hazards, breakdowns, or stationary vehicles ahead. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks high-quality warning triangles and collapsible traffic cones from trusted brands including Sealey and Olympia, all engineered to meet rigorous safety standards. These highly reflective markers feature fluorescent surfaces combined with retroreflective strips that catch vehicle headlights from considerable distances, providing crucial visibility in both daylight and darkness.

Modern warning triangles fold flat for convenient storage in vehicle boots, glove boxes, or toolboxes, ensuring they're readily accessible during emergencies. Whether you're a professional tradesperson travelling between job sites, a commercial driver, or a safety-conscious motorist, having a reliable warning triangle as part of your vehicle's emergency kit is an investment in roadside safety. MyToolShed.co.uk also offers collapsible traffic cones that provide versatile hazard marking for work sites, temporary zones, and roadside situations where additional visibility is required.

Applications

• Professional Drivers: HGV drivers, delivery drivers, and couriers required to carry warning devices for commercial vehicles
• Tradespeople: Electricians, plumbers, builders, and mobile technicians travelling frequently between job sites
• Fleet Managers: Equipping company vehicles with compliant safety equipment
• Breakdown Recovery: Mobile mechanics and recovery specialists attending roadside repairs
• Construction and Utilities: Site workers and utility operatives working near roadways or access routes
• Landscape Gardeners: Professionals working near roads who need to alert traffic to parked vehicles and equipment
• European Travel: Motorists, caravan owners, and motorhome enthusiasts travelling to countries where warning triangles are legally mandatory
• Private Motorists: Safety-conscious drivers preparing comprehensive emergency kits for breakdowns

Choosing The Right Warning Triangles

Ensure your warning triangle meets ECE R27 standards, which guarantee adequate size (minimum 50cm per side), reflectivity, and stability. Look for clear certification markings, particularly important if you travel to Europe where warning triangles are legally required. All products available at MyToolShed.co.uk comply with recognised safety standards.

Consider storage and portability when selecting your warning device. Choose designs that fold completely flat with protective storage cases to prevent damage and keep reflective surfaces clean. Compact models are ideal for vans already packed with tools and equipment, whilst some feature clips or straps for secure vehicle storage.

Stability matters significantly in adverse weather. Look for wide, weighted bases that resist tipping in strong winds and traffic turbulence. Premium models may feature rubberised feet for enhanced grip on road surfaces. For tradespeople and commercial drivers, consider pairing a traditional warning triangle with a collapsible traffic cone for maximum flexibility—triangles for roadside breakdowns and cones for marking work zones or loading areas.

Check reflectivity quality carefully. Better models combine fluorescent surfaces for daytime visibility with highly reflective strips for night-time use. Ensure reflective material covers substantial areas and resists scratching during regular deployment and storage.

Safety Information

Deploy warning triangles at least 45 metres (approximately 50 paces) behind your vehicle on the same side of the road, as recommended by the Highway Code. Never attempt to place a warning triangle on motorways or dual carriageways—the risk to personal safety is too great. Instead, exit your vehicle safely, move behind barriers where possible, and contact breakdown services.

Always wear a high-visibility vest before exiting your vehicle to position a warning triangle. Check carefully for approaching traffic and face oncoming vehicles as you walk to the deployment position. When retrieving your triangle, approach from the roadside rather than walking along the carriageway.

Inspect your warning triangle regularly for damage, particularly reflective strips and structural integrity. Replace any device showing cracks, fading reflectivity, or compromised stability. Store in protective cases to prevent damage from tools and materials in work vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are warning triangles legally required in the UK?

Warning triangles aren't legally required for private UK vehicles, but they're mandatory for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and strongly recommended for all motorists. They become legally required when driving in most European countries, where fines apply for not carrying one. Breakdown organisations and safety experts recommend carrying a warning triangle regardless of legal requirements.

What's the difference between a warning triangle and a traffic cone?

Warning triangles are specifically designed for roadside emergencies, meeting strict safety standards and serving as the recognised international hazard symbol. Traffic cones offer more versatility for marking work areas, creating temporary zones, or highlighting multiple hazards, but lack the same regulatory status for breakdown situations. Many tradespeople carry both for maximum flexibility across different scenarios.

How do I know if my warning triangle meets safety standards?

Look for markings indicating ECE R27 compliance—the European standard for warning triangles. Compliant devices should display certification labels, measure at least 50cm per side, feature reflective strips, and have stable bases. Reputable brands like Sealey and Olympia manufacture products to these standards, ensuring reliable, compliant safety equipment for roadside emergencies.