PA Driver’s Manual - Chapter 2: Signals, Signs, and Pavement Markings

Vocabulary flashcards covering traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings based on Chapter 2 of the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual.

Steady Red Light

A signal requiring a driver to stop before the marked stop line or crosswalk and wait for a green light, though right turns (and certain left turns between one-way streets) are permitted after stopping unless a sign prohibits them.

Steady Yellow Light

Indicates a steady red light will soon appear; drivers should slow down and prepare to stop, or continue carefully if already within the intersection or unable to stop safely.

Steady Green Light

Allows a driver to proceed through the intersection if the road is clear, yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection when turning.

Green Arrow

Indicates a protected turn in the direction the arrow points, meaning oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light.

Yellow Arrow

Indicates the protected movement permitted by the green arrow is about to end, requiring the driver to slow down and prepare to stop.

Non-functioning Traffic Lights

A malfunctioning signal that must be treated as though it were a four-way STOP sign.

Flashing Red Light

A signal with the same meaning as a STOP sign; the driver must come to a complete stop and proceed only after the intersection is clear.

Flashing Yellow Light

Signifies caution; drivers must slow down, look, and proceed with care.

Ramp-Metering Signals

Signals at highway entrance ramps that alternate between steady green and steady red to control traffic flow onto congested highways during peak hours.

Steady Yellow X

A lane use control signal indicating a driver must change lanes because the direction of travel for that lane is about to be reversed.

Steady Red X

A lane use control signal indicating that a driver is not allowed to use the traffic lane.

Blind Pedestrians

Individuals carrying a white cane or walking with a guide dog; drivers must always yield the right-of-way and be prepared to stop.

School Zone Signals

Flashing yellow signals on speed limit signs where the speed limit is reduced to $15\,mph$ when active; exceeding this limit results in $3$ points on a driving record and a fine.

Regulatory Signs

Signs that tell you what you must or must not do according to the law, such as speed limits and turning restrictions; they are usually black and white vertical rectangles or red and white shapes.

STOP Sign

The only octagon-shaped ($8$-sided) sign on the highway, requiring a complete stop.

YIELD Sign

A triangular ($3$-sided) sign requiring drivers to slow down, check for traffic, and give the right-of-way to pedestrians and cross traffic, stopping only when necessary.

Four-Way Stop

An intersection where traffic from all four directions must stop; the first vehicle to reach the intersection moves first, or the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right if arriving simultaneously.

Divided Highway Sign

Indicates the road intersects with a highway separated by a median or guide rail, where the driver can only turn right at the first roadway and only left at the second.

Warning Signs

Usually diamond-shaped with black symbols on a yellow background; they alert drivers to hazards or changes in roadway conditions ahead.

No Passing Zone Sign

The only pennant-shaped warning sign, placed on the left side of the road to mark the start of a zone where passing is prohibited.

Chevron Signs

Signs indicating a sharp change in the direction of the road, bending in the direction the chevron points.

Advisory Speed Signs

Signs used with diamond-shaped warning signs to indicate the highest speed a driver should travel around a specific condition, such as a curve.

Work Zone Signs

Orange diamond-shaped signs with black lettering that identify maintenance, construction, or utility areas.

Active Work Zone

The portion of a work zone where construction, maintenance, or utility workers are on the roadway or shoulder next to an open travel lane.

Guide Signs

Horizontal rectangles providing information about intersecting roads, cities, and services like hospitals or gas stations; highway versions are green with white letters.

Interstate Numbering (Even)

One or two-digit interstates that are generally east-west routes, with numbers increasing from south to north.

Interstate Numbering (Odd)

One or two-digit interstates that are generally north-south routes, with numbers increasing from west to east.

Mile Markers

Indicators used on highways to show the number of miles from the road's starting point or state border, increasing as you travel east or north.

Yellow Pavement Lines

Markings that divide traffic traveling in opposite directions and mark the left edge of divided highways or one-way streets.

White Pavement Lines

Markings that divide lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction and mark the right edge of the road.

Broken Traffic Lines

Pavement markings that can be crossed if safe conditions exist, such as for passing or changing lanes.

Solid Traffic Lines

Pavement markings that generally cannot be crossed except when making a turn.