Slippery When Wet Signs
The MUTCD Slippery When Wet sign (W8-5) is a diamond symbol warning sign showing a vehicle skidding, alerting drivers that the road may be slippery — especially in wet conditions. It pairs with supplemental plaques that specify the cause: When Wet, Ice, Steel Deck, or Excess Oil. All are built on rust-proof .080" aluminum with High Intensity Prismatic or Fluorescent Yellow Prismatic reflective sheeting, sized to match your installation.
Shop Slippery When Wet Signs & Plaques
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Slippery When Wet Sign (W8-5)
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When Wet Plaque (W8-5P)
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Ice Plaque (W8-5aP)
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Steel Deck Plaque (W8-5bP)
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Excess Oil Plaque (W8-5cP)
Which One Do I Need?
| Item | Legend | Use |
|---|---|---|
| W8-5 | Slippery When Wet (symbol) | Main diamond warning sign — road may be slippery |
| W8-5P | When Wet | Plaque: slippery specifically when wet |
| W8-5aP | Ice | Plaque: slippery due to ice |
| W8-5bP | Steel Deck | Plaque: slippery steel bridge deck |
| W8-5cP | Excess Oil | Plaque: slippery from excess oil |
Mount a plaque directly below the W8-5 symbol sign to specify the cause of the slippery condition.
Slippery When Wet Signs FAQ
What is a Slippery When Wet sign?
The W8-5 Slippery When Wet sign is a MUTCD diamond symbol sign showing a vehicle skidding, warning drivers that the road may be slippery — especially when wet.
What are the When Wet, Ice, Steel Deck, and Excess Oil plaques?
They are supplemental plaques mounted below the W8-5 symbol sign to specify the cause of the slippery condition: When Wet (W8-5P), Ice (W8-5aP), Steel Deck (W8-5bP), and Excess Oil (W8-5cP).
What is the difference between the W8-5 sign and the plaques?
W8-5 is the diamond symbol warning sign; the plaques (W8-5P, W8-5aP, W8-5bP, W8-5cP) are supplemental placards mounted with it to add a specific condition.
What size Slippery When Wet sign do I need?
Use 18 to 30 inch for low-speed local roads and 36 to 48 inch for higher-speed or multilane roads; plaques are sized to match the parent sign.
Are Slippery When Wet signs MUTCD compliant?
Yes. They meet MUTCD specifications for shape, color, and legend.
Which reflective sheeting should I choose?
High Intensity Prismatic meets federal minimums for most applications; Fluorescent Yellow Prismatic is brighter for maximum visibility.
