Traffic Signs – Different road signs and symbols pass different information to a driver, how well do you know these signs? Some drivers flag these rules not because they want to, but because they are ignorant of the information it passes, but as you know, ignorance is not an excuse.
Every motorist and even pedestrian is expected to have an understanding of what these signs mean. They communicate specific messages to motorists and pedestrians. Recognizing traffic signs and knowing their meanings can help drivers make safe driving decisions faster and more easily. Road signs have three basic categories – regulatory, warning, and guide signs. They can also be sorted by colour and shape.
It is possible that you’ve seen hundreds of traffic signs but may not be aware of what those colours and shapes mean to the average driver, and why disregarding the standards could jeopardize traffic safety.
What then are these signs and their meanings?
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs are also known as traffic control signage, these signs are less informational and more directorial. For travellers entering a new town, unfamiliar with unique traffic laws and penalties, regulatory signs are often the most important. They include stop signs, yield signs, turn and lane use signs and traffic signal signs (“No Turn on Red,” for instance). If you’re a driver looking for curbside parking, regulation signs provide the information you need to avoid a citation. Regulatory signs also encompass detour signs, weigh station signage, and railroad crossing signs.
Warning Signs
With the rate of accidents, road projects, and car breakdowns on the roads, the need for warning Given becomes important. This helps other road users to limit speed as they approach such areas. Warning signs include turn and curve warnings, intersection signs, merge and lane transition warnings, bridge clearances, divided highway warnings, hill warnings, and pedestrian crossing notices among others. Almost every warning sign is symbol-based, with little to no text.
Guide Signs
As one drive, guide signs are the holy grail of navigation. It helps motorists navigate interstate highways without taking their eyes off the road. It’s true that GPS navigation can help, but fumbling with your phone while approaching a confluence of two or three highways can be dangerous. These guide signs come in the form of diagrammatic guide signs, roadway junction signs, destination distance signs, and mile makers.
Other Symbol To Watch Out For Include;
The “STOP” Sign
These are some of the most seen traffic signs, Both the shape and colour are important to how a stop sign is recognized and understood. No other sign is of an octagon shape, and no other sign is red in colour. This is done because of the importance a stop sign has on traffic safety. It is used to alert drivers of intersections and other areas where traffic may be travelling in opposite or crossing directions.
The “Speed Limit” Sign
Speed limit signs are designed to communicate a set legal maximum or minimum speed that vehicles must travel. Speed limit signs can vary in the limit depending on the specific state that you are driving through.
Many highways have speed limits set at 55 miles per hour, but this can be changed by the state and will vary. Other common limits on highways are 45 miles per hour and 65 miles per hour. Drivers are not to exceed the limit that the sign designates.
The “Men At Work” Sign
This is a temporary warning sign used to alert drivers of upcoming road work. The colour for this sign is Orange, this is because it is one of the most visible colours to the human eye, and can be noticed above other traffic signs on the road.
Men at work signs are generally accompanied by other temporary warning signs, such as “road work ahead” signs and “detour” signs.
The “No Overtaking Sign”
No Overtaking
This sign is mostly placed on two-way narrow roads or roads that are too risky for vehicles to attempt to overtake vehicles ahead of them. They are also placed at bends, dips in the road, or where there are trees.
The “Bumps Ahead” Sign
This sign is used to warn motorists that there is a bump ahead or an uneven road surface on the road. This warning informs motorists to reduce their speeds at certain points.
The “No Parking” Sign
This sign is used to inform road users that parking activities should not be done in that space.
Final Notes
It is important for road users to adhere strictly to all traffic, this is important for their safety and that of other road users. Remember to check How to avoid breaking a traffic law in Nigeria
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