Signs Glossary

Types of road signs are divided into three basic categories: regulatory, warning, and guide signs. The shape of a traffic sign communicates important information about the sign's message. In poor visibility conditions, such as heavy fog, you may be able to make out only the shape of a sign. The following section will give you an understanding of the signs that are commonly used on the US roads. Neglecting to obey the road signs results in a traffic violation, but to obey the sign, everyone on the road, regardless of whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, needs to know the meaning of each specific sign. Read the following section to get to know how they differ from each other by the color and shape.

Traffic Signs

Traffic signs are divided into three basic categories: regulatory, warning, and guide signs.

The shapes and colors of signs indicate the type of information a sign will contain.

Here are commonly used traffic signs:

A red octagon (eight-sided) STOP sign means you must make a full stop before entering the intersection, crosswalk, or driving past the white stop line.

A triangular red YIELD sign means slow down, be ready to stop, and let traffic (including people walking or riding bikes) pass before you go ahead. Go only when it is safe.

A round sign tells you of an approaching railroad crossing.

A pentagon-shaped sign tells you there is a school nearby. Children are often not careful around traffic and may not understand the dangers of moving vehicles. Paying attention to these signs and slowing down can help you avoid a potentially deadly situation. Do not forget that the school speed limit in most states is 20-25 mph. Consult your state's Drivers Handbook for details.

Diamond-shaped yellow signs with black letters or symbols warn drivers of existing or possible hazards on the road.

Vertical rectangular signs tell you about important rules to follow. These are regulatory signs.

Horizontal, rectangular signs are usually guide signs showing direction or special information.

Red and White Regulatory Signs

Red and white regulatory signs tell you about regulations you must follow. For example, the DO NOT ENTER sign tells you there is danger ahead because vehicles will be coming toward you, usually on a freeway off-ramp or one-way street.

The WRONG WAY sign may accompany the DO NOT ENTER sign. This rectangular red and white sign is a traffic regulatory sign. If you see one or both of these signs, drive to the side and stop; you are going against traffic. When safe, back out or turn around and go back to the road you were on. (At night, road reflectors will shine red in your headlights when you are going the wrong way.)

A red circle with a red line through it always means NO. The picture inside the circle shows what you cannot do. The sign may be shown with or without words under it.

Warning Signs

Many road signs warn you to slow down or watch for hazards or special conditions ahead. Most warning signs are yellow and diamond-shaped with black letters or symbols. Some common warning signs are shown on the next slides.

This sign warns you that the road ends ahead. Slow down and prepare to safely turn left or right.

Watch out! There is a winding road ahead.

This sign gives warning of a side road that enters the highway ahead.

This sign warns about a dip ahead. Slow down.

This sign means deer frequently cross the road. Slow down, deer may be nearby.

A bump is in the road ahead.

CHEVRON SIGN. A sharp curve in the road in the direction of the arrow.

Service Signs

Service signs are blue and indicate nearby services including hospitals, call boxes, telephones, places to eat, and rest areas.

Pedestrian Signals

Many street crossings have pedestrian signals that show the words WALK and DON'T WALK or show a WALKING PERSON in white and a RAISED HAND in orange. Pedestrian signals direct pedestrians while crossing the street. The WALK or WALKING PERSON appears when it is legal to start crossing.

When the DON'T WALK or RAISED HAND appears, you may not start across the street. The flashing signal means you should not begin to cross because you may not have enough time to make it to the other side before vehicles start moving across your path. If the flashing starts after you have already started to cross, you may finish crossing the street.

At many traffic signals, you need to push the pedestrian push button to receive the WALK or WALKING PERSON signal. At a crossing where there are no pedestrian signals, pedestrians must obey the red, yellow, or green signal lights.

Guide Signs

Guide signs provide directional and mileage information to specific destinations. They can be rectangular or have other shapes.

Route signs mark federal interstates, state highways, and county or municipal roadways. The interstate system uses a shield symbol that is blue on the bottom and has a red band across the top.