If you drive on highways or work in traffic control, you would have noticed many highway signs placed along your route. But do you know what each one tells you?
Today, we will explain thirty common highway signs’ meanings & their shapes. We will also discuss regulations of highway signs. After that, our team has made a list of a few funny highway road signs that you may have seen.
30 Highway Signs and Their Meanings
1. Speed Breaker Signage
Speed breaker sign warns you about a raised bump/hump on the road. You should reduce your vehicle speed when you see this sign. So that you can avoid discomfort and damage to your vehicle. These types of signs are commonly placed in sensitive zones, near schools, hospitals and residential areas.
2. Accident Prone Area Sign
The locations where accidents happen frequently in the past are marked with accident prone area signs. These signs warn you to drive carefully and reduce your car speed. You should stay alert and avoid sudden moves when you pass through these high risk zones. As a result, you can protect yourself from dangerous situations.
3. Road Closed Sign
Well, you have to turn your vehicle back and need to choose a different route (follow detour signs) where you see “Road Closed” signs placed. Basically, these signs are there to guide drivers to avoid blocked highways. Because it marks the point where your entry is not allowed due to construction, accidents, and other hazards.
4. Highway Traffic Ahead
Whenever you notice the “Traffic Ahead” sign on the highway, It means that there is heavy traffic on the road ahead. Hence, you should be ready to slow down your car and stop traffic. These warning signs keep you safe from sudden braking and give an alert in advance.
5. No Voice Sign
The use of horns or any loud voices are prohibited where “No voice” signs are installed. Actually, these locations are generally near hospitals, schools and other quiet zones where noise can disturb people. That is why, you have to follow this sign to help maintain peace and avoid the sounds that can create discomfort for others.
6. No Entry Sign
No entry booth tells you that you are not allowed to enter your vehicles on the road from either direction. These signs are placed where your entry can be dangerous, such as one-way streets and restricted areas, which are reserved for pedestrians.
7. No Horse Riding Sign
If you spot a sign that shows a horse and rider with a red circle around it, it is a “No Horse Riding” sign. Basically, this sign warns you that there is no permission for horse riding on that road/path. It is placed in areas where horse riding may be risky for you due to heavy traffic and safety concerns.
8. No Camping Sign Meaning
The No Camping sign highlights areas where you can’t set-up your tents and are not allowed to stay overnight. For example: around highways, public parks and private lands. These locations may have safety, cleanliness & legal restrictions. You should avoid camping in such prohibited areas for everyone’s safety.
9. Keep Right Sign
The Keep Right sign lets you know that you have to stay on the right side of the highway. You will see them where the road splits and there is an obstacle in the center as well. This sign guides you about your direction to stay safe and also maintain the flow of traffic.
10. PARE Stop Sign
You need to stop your car completely where “PARE” signs are installed. Because, pedestrians and other vehicles require some space at intersections & crossings. If you don’t stop, it can lead to accidents and traffic violations. Hence, you should stop and check properly to move forward.
11. Children’s Crossing Sign
Well, children’s traffic signs are placed in areas where children are often around. These locations include: schools and playgrounds. Whenever you notice this sign, it means you should reduce the speed of your car and also drive very carefully because children can suddenly cross the road.
12. Tunnel Ahead Sign
Tunnel ahead is a type of warning sign that has a triangular shape and shows an image of a tunnel entrance. This sign tells you that there is a tunnel ahead so you have to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. Plus, you should avoid overtaking, drive your car with full focus and reduce distractions as well.
13. Zebra Crossing or Zebra Cross Sign
Zebra crossing signs are installed in areas where pedestrians cross the highways. For example: at intersections, outside hospitals, near bus stops/train stations and residential areas. Their main aim is to protect pedestrians and also reduce the risk of crashes. Here, you need to give way to others and drive carefully.
14. Crossroads Sign
Crossroads ahead sign is placed to warn you about two roads that meet each other. When you notice this sign, it indicates that you should minimize the speed of your vehicle and be ready to stop if required. Always look carefully for vehicles coming from your left or right side.
15. Highway Steep Hill Ahead Sign
If we talk about steep hill signs, they actually warn you about roads that go sharply upward/downward. Moreover, these signs show a slope symbol with a percentage, which tells you how steep it is so that you can adjust your speed accordingly and can hold strong control too.
16. Men At Work Sign
Men at Work signs let you know that workers are busy with road repair and construction work. If you see this sign, it’s your signal to slow down and be watchful. Because, it’s not just about your safety but also helps to protect the crew/workers who are working on the road. These signs make sure the road work can continue in a smooth way and everyone stays out of danger as well.
17. Road Close Lanes Sign
You may see this sign on multi-lane roads, construction zones, accident sites and before detours. This sign indicates that one or more lanes on the road will no longer be available for you. You should move to the open lane safely on time to reduce last minute lane changes which can be risky for you.
18. Shoulder Work Ahead Sign
The shoulder work sign tells you that road repairs are going on at the side of your current road. That means you should slow down and be careful (even if your lane is open). The reason is that workers and machines may be close to your path. If you ignore this game, as a result you may face sudden risk & dangerous accidents.
19. Sign of Bypass Route
To show that there is another safe way around your blocked & busy road, bypass route signs are used. You have to follow the new path and don’t stay on the main road. This helps you to avoid traffic jams. Remember, if you don’t follow the rules, you may get stuck in traffic and can create problems for other drivers too.
20. Landslide Signage
Landslide area signs are important in locations where hills/mountains are close to your road. So when you see this sign, you need to slow down your car and watch for any fall of rocks & mud. Plus, these areas can be unsafe for you (especially during rain). Also, you have to be ready to stop and change your path in case the road is completely blocked.
21. Blind Pedestrian Sign Meaning
Blind person crossing signs are placed in areas where people cross the highways who have low vision problems and blind. When you see these signs, you should not try to pass them quickly. Never rush, reduce your car speed and let blind people cross the road first.
22. Detour Sign
Detour ahead signs are installed where regular roads are blocked because of construction, accidents or road repairs. These highway signe guide you about different alternate paths, so that you can keep driving safely. You only need to follow the new path, which is indicated by an arrow on the sign.
23. Diversion Ahead Sign
This type of road signs are placed to handle the situation when a part of the road is closed or under repair. Hence, they tell you that traffic moves in a different direction. Also, it guides you where you can go to stay safe, avoid confusion and prevent delays.
24. End Divided Highway Sign
To indicate that the divider between the two sides of your current road is about to finish. In such a case, cars from the other side will be closer to your lane at the end of the median point. So, you have to drive your vehicles carefully, stay in your lane and also check the road to avoid any danger.
25. No Parking Fire Lane Signs
It says that road users are not allowed to stop and park their vehicle in that area. The reason is that these lanes are only reserved for fire trucks and emergency use only. So, you should not park your automobiles there at any cost.
26. Road Fog Area Sign
Actually, foggy areas can be risky for you because it’s hard for you to see clearly. That’s why traffic authorities place fog advisory signs to warn you in advance. You should reduce your car speed and turn on the headlights too. This will help you in low visibility conditions.
27. End of No Passing Zone
Some certain zones of road don’t allow you to pass other vehicles because it can be dangerous for you. However, when you see “End of No Passing Zone” signs, that means the rule is finished. Now, you can easily overtake but if the road is clear.
28. Custom Highway Sign
Installed at fixed checkpoints such as: borders, airports & ports where your vehicles, goods and also people are inspected by custom officers. So, you need to stop and follow the customs rules. Customs signs help you to know exactly where to stop your car at customs checkpoints.
29. Animal Crossing Sign (Deer Crossing Sign)
These signs are installed in forests, countryside and near wildlife zones to warn you that animals may suddenly cross the road. You have to be alert and reduce the speed to get protection from accidents and harm.
30. Flagman Ahead Sign
If we talk about flagman ahead highway signs, they tell you that a person with a flag is on your way to control traffic. This sign also regulates that you should slow down speed and follow the flagman signal.
MUTCD Highway Signs Rules
MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) is an official guide used in the United States that explains how all road signs should look and work. According to MUTCD law, different color highway signs are used to convey different messages. For example: red for prohibitions, yellow for cautions and green used to provide directions.
Plus, traffic authorities have to place exact size signs based on road type (highway, urban, rural). Moreover, highway signs should be illuminated, so that it can be visible to you at night time. MUTCD also regulates that highway signs should have proper distance from any hazard. For example:
- Stop signs should have a 6 to 12 feet margin from the edge of the highway.
- Warning signs must be placed at least 12 feet away from the travel lane (depending on roadway speed).
- You should install regulatory signs with a gap of 2.5 feet from the edge of the highway.
List of Funny Highway Signs
Sometimes, transportation departments install highway signs that can catch your attention with humor. But these signs still give you important messages about road hazards. Following are some types of funny highway signs.
- Welcome To Accident
- Where Am I
- Slow Kittens!
- Zombie Xing
- Take the High Road
- Sudden Gunfire
- I’D Turn Back If I was You
- Cautions Falling cows
- Humps for 300 Yards
- Heavy Pedestrian Traffic
- Airplane Crossing (low aircraft)
- Keep Right (left arrow)
Blue Highway Signs
If we talk about blue highway signs, these signs are placed near rest areas, hospitals, fuel & food zones. They provide information to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians about these locations. However, blue signs’ meaning depend on where you see them and what shape they have.
If you see blue circle signs, they tell you which path you can use. But, if you find blue rectangular signs, they show you which services nearby, such as gas stations & hospitals. Sometimes, blue highway signs also show you emergency exit routes.
Divided Highway Ahead Sign
What does a divided highway sign mean? Divided highway ahead sign tells you that your current road will be separated into two directions through a wall placed between them.
Highway Signs Shapes
If you learn highway signs pictures, you can quickly respond and follow traffic rules easily.
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Crossbuck Signs
A crossbuck sign looks like a white “X” with black letters. You will see these types of signs only at railroad crossings (near train tracks). When you notice these unique shape signs, it means “railroad crossing ahead” and you have to slow your vehicle.
Plus, you need to look at your left and right sides and be ready to stop. If you see a train coming, you should completely stop and wait until the train has passed.
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Rectangle Sign on Highway
Rectangle sign shapes are used for regulatory and informational messages. Vertical ones show laws related to speed limits. While, horizontal shaped signs are helpful to provide information & guide you on the road.
Moreover, diamond-shaped signs warn you about things like roadwork/changes and pennants (sideways triangle) tell you not to pass other cars in that area.
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Octagon Road Sign
An octagon sign always means Stop. You can easily recognize it from a distance due to its unique eight-sided shape. So, whenever you see this shaped sign on the road, you must stop your vehicle completely.
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Equilateral Triangle Sign
Equilateral triangle traffic signs (especially upside down) represent the “Yield” & “Give Way” category to road users. These shape signs are regulatory in nature and tell you to slow down/be ready to stop. Also regulate that you have to be careful and allow others to go before you.
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Circle Sign Meaning
Circle-shaped traffic signs generally represent railroad crossings and regulatory warnings.
- A yellow circle with a black “X” and two “R”s is installed for railroad crossing warnings in countries like the U.S.
- A red-bordered circle is used to show prohibited actions such as “No Entry” & “No U-turn”.
Final Thoughts
Finally, we hope you now have a clear understanding of highway signs, their meanings and importance. If you ignore these traffic signs, it can cause confusion and even accidents. So, we recommend you follow them strictly.
In case you are looking for a high-quality highway signs manufacturer or need custom traffic signage solutions, Jackwin is your right partner. Contact us today! We provide you reliable road safety products according to your project needs.
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