Drivers on the roads must never overlook traffic signs. They alert you about any danger, hazards, closures, construction, or restricted zones. However, most drivers, even in the 20th century, are unaware of the importance of traffic signs and what each sign signifies. Even if a few have an awareness, they still ignore the signs due to a rush and often end up facing trouble.
As a leading road safety and traffic signs supplier, we understand the importance of traffic sign awareness among civilians. And that’s why we’ve prepared this guide and explained everything from traffic sign shapes and colors to what each sign indicates. So you can understand what each signs means and adhere as a responsible citizen.
What Is A Traffic Sign?
A traffic sign (or road sign) is a special colored board that you may have often seen on roads and highways. Road facilities or traffic control professionals placed these signs on or beside the roads. They are used to show any crucial message (in the form of an instruction and graphic) to guide drivers about any traffic rule, potential hazards, directions, or restricted areas.
For example, a red-colored, octagon-shaped STOP traffic sign board is placed beside the road. But even after seeing stop sign board you continue to drive, you may likely crash into another crossing vehicle and pedestrians. And that’s the reason why traffic signs’ awareness is highly crucial, to ensure everyone’s safety on the road.
Traffic Sign Shapes and Their Meanings
On roads, many traffic signs are placed catering to different guidance and warning purposes. But when you’re driving fast, it’s not always easy to stop and read every word or understand the purpose of traffic signs. That’s why traffic signs come in different shapes. So you can understand what they mean just by the shape at a glance, even from far away.
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Diamond
Diamond-shaped traffic signs indicate the “Warning” alert. Means, these signs are to warn drivers about a potential hazard ahead on the road. The content and graphics on these signs will explain why you need to be extra cautious while driving ahead. Such as “Speed Reduce Ahead”, Turn Right”, or “Road Work” signs.
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Circle and Crossbuck
Circle-shaped traffic signs indicate the “railroad crossing” ahead. The meaning is simple: it alerts that a train might pass ahead, and guides you to drive slowly, look both ways, and be ready to stop.
On the other hand, a crossbuck (often known as an X-shaped sign) is placed at the actual crossing spot. Apart from that, under X graphic, there is always a number that indicates the total number of tracks.
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Pennant
Pennant-shaped traffic signs (often known as right-sided triangles). They are usually placed on the left side of roads or the edges of hills or curves. The meaning of these pennant signs is to tell drivers that they are not allowed to enter or overtake other vehicles in that area. The color of these signboards is typically yellow, along with text written in black.
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Octagon
Octagon-shaped traffic signs always indicate a STOP sign. It is usually red in color with the white color “STOP” text written on it. Whenever you see them on the road, it tells you to stop immediately. Plus, guide you to look both ways for vehicles, especially at intersection points. If there’s no vehicle or pedestrians passing by, you can move further.
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Rectangle
Rectangle-shaped traffic signs are always used for regulatory or guiding signs. Generally, these rectangle-based signage boards come in both vertical and horizontal shapes.
Vertically-shaped rectangle signs usually indicate regulatory instructions. Such as speed limits or parking rules. On the other hand, horizontally shaped rectangle signs are used to guide drivers to directions or provide information on places you may look for, such as road names.
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Pentagon
Pentagon-shaped traffic signs indicate that there is a school zone or school crossing ahead or nearby. This simply tells you to drive slowly, be cautious, and watch for children and other pedestrians nearby. Typically, pentagon-shaped traffic signs are in yellow or yellow/green colors.
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Equilateral Triangle
Equilateral triangle-shaped traffic signs are designed for yield zones, so you only see these sign boards in yield zones. These triangle signs boards tell you to slow down and check for other vehicles or pedestrians. Plus, the guide tells you that if other vehicles or pedestrians are already passing or about to pass, let them patiently pass first. Once the way is clear, you can go.
Most Widely Used Traffic Signs and Their Meanings
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Arrow Board Signs
Unlike other traffic sign boards, these arrow board signs are smart, electronic, and LED-based traffic signs. You may often see them on or near roads where construction or repair work on roads or walkways will be ongoing. In such zones, these boards act as a barrier between the construction site workers and drivers, like you, and ensure everyone’s safety.
These boards typically use three different patterns to warn or guide you about where you should go and where you should not. Here’s what they’ll show you and what that means:
- Flashing arrows on boards either pointing “→ → → (move right)” or “← ← ← (move left)” tell you about a standard lane closure. Plus, it guides you to move in the indicated direction.
- Flashing arrow board showing “↔ (both sides open)” tells you about center lane closures. Plus, guide you so that you can move from either lane.
- Flashing dots on arrow boards without any directional information warn that you should be cautious in this zone. Plus, guide you so that you can move from either side, but slowly.
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Variable Message Signs
Variable message signs are special digital boards that you may mostly see on busy roads and highways. Traffic facilities place these signboards on roads for every driver to show them any real-time information or provide guidance while they’re driving on the road. These boards mostly show you this type of message:
- Accident Ahead – Expect Delays
- Heavy Fog – Drive Carefully
- Road Closed – Use Alternate Route
- AMBER Alert – Look for Blue Sedan
- Check Your Speed – You’re Driving Over Limit
You may ask how these variable message signs show you real-time updates. Well, traffic workers watch you from cameras or camera sensors that collect the current road data. That way, they provide you with instructions and tell you to make quick decisions. So you can stay updated on road conditions ahead.
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Safety Signs
Safety signs are usually in rectangle, triangle, pentagon, octagon and diamond shapes. You’ll see them almost everywhere on roads, such as in work zones, near schools, highways or dangerous turns. Below, we’ve explained 5 common safety signs that you may often encounter on roads. So read the explanation to each sign, so while driving, you can identify what each sign is telling you:
- Slippery When Wet: You see these signs on roads during rain, fog, and snowfall season. These signs tell you that roads become slippery due to moisture. Means you drive slowly.
- Road Work Ahead: This safety sign tells you about ongoing road construction ahead. Plus, guide you to drive slowly and cautiously.
- Children at Play: You will see these signs in residential areas and near parks. These signs tell you to be extra careful and look around for children.
- Falling Rocks: You’ll see these signs in hilly areas. They tell you that these areas are known for rock falls. Plus, guide you to drive or walk cautiously.
- Animal Crossing: These warning signs are placed where wildlife often cross the road. So whenever you see animal crossing signs even from far, this tells you to drive slowly. And when you come near a sign board, you should stop and look around for any animal that is in or about to cross. After they cross, you can move further.
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Parking Signs
You will see parking signs in commercial and residential parking lots such as offices, garages, shopping malls, and several other parking spaces. And each sign will tell you specific information and provide guidance. Below, we’ve explained 5 most common parking signs that you may often see:
- No Parking: No parking sign board simply means that you’re not allowed to park your vehicle in this area.
- Reserved Parking: These parking signs mean only certain vehicles of authorized individuals (e.g., employees or permit holders) can park.
- Handicap Parking: As its name indicates, these parking spaces are reserved for only those vehicles that have a disabled permit. And you’re not allowed to park here if you do not have a disabled permit.
- 2-Hour Parking: These signs mean that you can park here, but only for 2 hours (or the mentioned time). You may also see parking signs at some spaces, with hours, days, and penalty instructions mentioned over them.
- Loading Zone: Loading parking signs tell you that these parking spaces are only for loading/unloading goods. And you’re not allowed to park.
Conclusion
At JACKWIN, we understand that using traffic signs is highly crucial. But what is most important is spreading awareness of traffic signs’ shapes and what they mean, among civilians.
Hopefully, after reading this guide, you now have a clear understanding of traffic signs’ shapes and what they mean and indicate. So we hope that from now onwards, you comply with all traffic rules, ensure everyone’s safety, and contribute to an organized traffic environment.
