Types and Meanings of Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings I

Types and Meanings of Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings

I. International Traffic Signs

Traffic signs have important messages to convey. Their shapes and colors carry the same meaning everywhere.

Danger Warning Signs- are intended to warn road users of a danger on the road and to inform them of its nature.

Shape : Equilateral, Triangular with one side horizontal
Color : Red

Examples : CAUTION : School Zone



CAUTION : Road Narrows Ahead


II. Driver's Signals

The law requires every driver to signal to the other driver when planning to turn left or right, slow down or stop, to change from one lane to another, to leave the roadway or to move out from a parked position.

PROPER LANE - LEFT TURN
Vehicles making a left turn should be in the lane to the right of the center of the road. Vehicles making a left at an intersection should wait for a green light, move with caution into the intersection and when all on-coming traffic has cleared the intersection, complete the left turn.

PROPER LANE - RIGHT TURN
Drive in the lane at the right edge of the roadway before making turn, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.

MAKING A STOP
Slow down and give the proper light or arm signal. Lightly tap pedal to slow down and signal with brake lights as a warning. Signals maybe given by the hand-and-arm position or by brake or signal lights. If vehicle is built so that hand-and-arm signals cannot be easily be seen, signal lights must be used. Signal your left or right turn during at least the last 100 feet before reaching the turning point, at highway speed it is best to signal at least five seconds before you change lanes. Check that you have safe clearance to the side, ahead and behind your vehicles, in addition to giving proper signals. Watch for signals from other drivers. Bicycle riders may give right turn signals with their right arm held straight out, pointing right.

PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS
Motorists should be aware of pedestrian signal indications. They are used to control pedestrian traffic at intersections where there is conflict between vehicle and pedestrian movement. While these pedestrians are crossing the roadway, they have the right-of-way over all vehicles.
A pedestrian facing the green walk signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal.

A pedestrian facing a steady flashing "Don't Walk" signal should not start to cross the roadway. If a pedestrian has entered the roadway on the "walk" signal and the "Don't Walk" signal appears, he/she should proceed as quickly as possible to a safe area. While doing this, pedestrians still have the right of way over vehicles.

Also a pedestrian should not cross the roadway when vehicular traffic has flashing green signal, unless he/she is facing a "Walk" signal.

III. Traffic Signals

RED SIGNAL
Unless a sign indicates otherwise, a right turn may be made on a red signal or from a one-way street to a one-way street provided the vehicle is first brought to a stop, and always subject to the right of way of pedestrians and other traffic.

FLASHING RED SIGNAL
A flashing red signal means bring your vehicle to a stop and proceed only when it is safe to do so.

FLASHING RED BEACON
The flashing red signal maybe an overhead beacon used in conjunction with a stop sign, or a beacon located directly above a stop sign.

YELLOW SIGNAL
A yellow signal indicates that the red signal is about to appear. Stop the vehicle if you can do so safely, otherwise you may proceed with caution.

FLASHING YELLOW SIGNAL
A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution.

FLASHING YELLOW BEACON
When a flashing yellow signal is incorporated with an overhead beacon or a beacon located directly above a warning sign, it warns you to proceed with caution.

YELLOW ARROW
In some traffic control signal, a yellow arrow appears after a green arrow. When the yellow arrow appears, it means the red or solid green signal is about to appear. Therefore, stop the vehicle safely, if can be done otherwise, proceed with caution.

GREEN SIGNAL
A green signal means you proceed, provided you yield to pedestrian and other traffic lawfully using the intersection. When making a turn on a green signal, remember that the pedestrian crossing on the green signal have the right-of-way. Be sure that you do not block the traffic.

FLASHING GREEN SIGNAL
When a flashing green signal or a left turn green arrow with a green signal is used, it permits the vehicle facing that signal to turn left, turn right or go through while opposing traffic faces a red signal. A pedestrian must not proceed on a flashing green signal or green left turn arrow unless a walk signal is shown.

GREEN ARROW WITH OR WITHOUT A RED SIGNAL
When a green arrow is shown with or without a red signal, you may enter the intersection to move only in the direction shown by the arrow.