Traffic Controls - Signs

Traffic Signs

Signs use color, shape, words, and symbols to inform, guide, and control traffic.

Colors and Meanings

  • Red: Stop, Yield, Do Not Enter, Wrong Way.

  • White/Black: Regulatory, control traffic, set limits.

  • Orange: Construction warning.

  • Green: Guide, directional information.

  • Yellow: General warning, unexpected road conditions.

  • Blue: Motorist services, disabled parking.

  • Fluorescent Yellow/Green: School zone, pedestrians.

  • Brown: Public recreation, cultural/historic site.

Shapes and Meanings

  • Octagon: STOP.

  • Triangle: YIELD.

  • Diamond: WARNING.

  • Pentagon: SCHOOL.

  • Round: RAILROAD WARNING.

  • Crossbuck: RAILROAD CROSSING.

  • Vertical Rectangle: REGULATORY.

  • Horizontal Rectangle: GUIDE.

  • Pennant: NO PASSING ZONE.

Sign Words

Communicate specific rules (e.g., no turns on red, speed limits, lane usage).

Symbols

Indicate lane changes, directions, conditions, hazards (e.g., two-way traffic, sharp turn, narrow bridge, prohibited actions, restricted lanes).

Types of Signs

  • Regulatory Signs (White/Black): Control traffic, set limits, legally enforceable (e.g., Four-Way Stop, Yield, No U-Turn, Disabled Parking).

  • Warning Signs (Yellow/Diamond): Give advance notice of possible hazards; require caution (e.g., Slippery Surface, Cross Road, Divided Highway Ahead, Hill/Downgrade).

Zones of Caution

  • School Zone (Fluorescent Yellow/Green): Slow down, watch for children, obey speed limits and crossing guards.

  • Railroad and Drawbridge (Round/Crossbuck): Slow down, yield to trains, be ready to stop; do not stop on tracks or within 1515 feet. Flashing yellow light indicates drawbridge operation.

  • Work Zones (Orange): Reduce speed, use caution, obey signs/flaggers; fines are doubled when workers are present.