Many motorists are unaware of the meaning of this road sign, although it is very useful on the road.
Like any good motorist, you sometimes have to pass road signs without knowing their meaning. It must be said that there are more than 400 in France and that few driving license holders can boast of knowing… half of them! This has been lining our roads for almost 30 years. But this does not mean that the French know the meaning of this sign installed for the first time on January 5, 1995. Square in shape, it displays a sort of hammer drawn in black on a white background surrounded by blue. You have probably already seen it, perhaps without paying attention, or tried to understand what it meant… without finding the answer.
We easily grant you that its meaning is not easy to guess. Is it there to remind us to always travel with a toolbox? Is it used to indicate the possible presence of hammers on the road? That it is forbidden to hit other road users with a hammer? None of that (and fortunately). This sign, called CE28 in the road safety nomenclature, was designed to help motorists experiencing serious difficulties on the road.
It indicates the possibility of contacting a rapid repair workshop open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day in the event of a breakdown. It is more frequently found on highways approaching service areas. It can be associated with other specific signs, such as those indicating the presence of a gas station, tables for eating or even a children’s play area. Their presence, which is not obligatory, must assure the driver that a repairer will arrive at the scene of the immobilization of their vehicle within 30 minutes of their call to the emergency terminal.
Being the victim of a breakdown on a highway is not very fun and can even be very dangerous due to the speed of vehicles. The best is therefore to remain exposed to risks for as short a time as possible. If the vehicle’s breakdown is minor, the repairer can carry out the repair on site or at the nearest motorway rest area. On the other hand, in the event of a major breakdown and if the car can no longer be driven at all, he has no other choice but to tow it to his workshop. It is useful to know that repair prices are not set by the motorway company but by an order from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. Prices are therefore standardized throughout the country, so there is no need to cry wolf if the bill seems high to you (and it will be).