Traffic Signs and Signals – A guide to understanding roads signs for easy and safe driving

 As a car owner, it is of great importance to understand the different types of traffic signs and their meanings, because it is key for safety on the road, both as a pedestrian and a driver. Traffic signs and signals are important segments of road safety and traffic management.

Either as an experienced driver or as a student in your training school, there’s a large variety of road signs you might encounter while driving, and familiarizing yourself with the differences between them will help you make safe decisions faster and with ease.

Let’s take a look at the overview of the basic types of signs and signals you will encounter on the road, and how they are implemented.

Basic Traffic Signs

1. Regulatory Signs: These are important mandatory traffic signs that come with either a white or red background and they indicate rules and regulations all road users must strictly adhere to. Examples are:
   • Stop Sign: This serves as an important means of instructing drivers to come to a complete stop at an intersection or before crossing a designated point on the road.
   • Yield Sign: This sign instructs the driver to give away to other traffic.
   • Speed Limit Sign: This sign establishes the maximum allowable speed for vehicles within specific areas.
2. Warning Signs: They are crucial traffic signs that come with a yellow background. These signs inform drivers and other road users of potential hazards, dangers, or changes in road conditions. Examples are:
   • Curve Ahead: indicates a sharp change in the direction of the road, such as a curve or bend.
   • Pedestrian Crossing: Indicates a crossing area.
   • Road Work Ahead: Indicates construction zones.
   • Deer Crossing Sign: These signs alert drivers to the potential presence of a high deer population crossing the road.
3. Guidance Signs: These signs come with a green, blue or brown background. They are a series of traffic signs that provide valuable directional information and guidance to drivers and road users. Examples are:
   • Exit Sign: This sign signals exits from highways.
   • Destination Sign: This sign describes directions to cities or attractions 
   • Route Marker Sign: This sign guides road users along a specific route or highway.
4. Service and Recreation Signs: These are informative signs that come with a blue, brown, or white background. The signs provide information to drivers, ensuring they make timely and informed stops during their journeys. Examples are:
   • Parking Sign: This sign provides drivers with parking rules and restrictions 
   • Hospital Sign: These signs often feature the universal “H” symbol and/or directional arrows, ensuring hospital location address information is passed.
   • Rest Area Sign: This sign guides motorists to essential amenities like gas stations, rest areas, food, and lodging stop options.
5. Temporary Traffic Control: These signs come with an orange background. They play an important role in managing and redirecting traffic during road construction, maintenance work, or special events. Examples are:
   • One-Lane Bridge Sign: These signs are placed to alert drivers to upcoming single-lane bridges.
   • Divided Highway Sign: These signs are crucial for informing drivers that they are approaching or entering a section of road with a physical barrier.

Traffic Signals

1. Traffic Lights: This light serves as a control to the flow of traffic at intersections. Examples are:

• Red Light: Means Stop
• Yellow Light: Means prepare to go
• Green Light: Means Go

2. Flashing Signals: These signals provide additional information and instructions. Examples are:

• Flashing Red: Indicates a stop sign. 
• Flashing Yellow: Indicates proceed with caution.

In conclusion, we have different types of signs, which serve different purposes. Knowing the various kinds of signs can help all road users navigate all scenarios with confidence and ease.