Top 10 Road Signs You Must Know About

Driving is a privilege, not a right. As such, you must follow the rules of the road to ensure safety for yourself and everyone around you. These rules include speed limits and parking restrictions, as well as what other behaviors are allowed on roadways. We’ve put together this list of the most common road signs in the United States so that you don’t get confused while driving down any given highway or road:

Speed Limit Signs

Speed limit signs inform drivers of the maximum speed they can travel, and local governments set this. Most speed limit signs are black on a white background, with numbers written in large font sizes and the words “speed limit” above them.

While driving through residential streets or roads, you may not see any speed limits posted because there is a default 25 mph (40 km/h) speed limit law in these areas. However, if you see a sign with an actual number on it, then it’s safe to assume that’s what your maximum legal speed should be.

Stop and Yield Signs

You’ve undoubtedly seen these signs as a driver or cyclist, but you may not know what each one means. Both are considered as regulatory signs. The Stop Sign is self-explanatory: if you see one, slow down, come to a complete stop, and check for vehicles and pedestrians before proceeding through it.

The Yield Sign is for drivers merging onto a highway who must be prepared to let an approaching driver on the road proceed first. If you see one, slow down and wait until it’s safe to continue.

Warning Signs

Warning Signs alert drivers of potential hazards, obstacles, or conditions requiring special attention along the road. These signs typically have a yellow background with black lettering and are usually triangle or diamond shaped.

Warning Signs are typically marked with a symbol. In Europe, the symbols are based on the UNECE Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The symbols in the United States are based on the MUTCD standard and usually contain only text.

School and Railroad Crossings

School Crossing Signs warn drivers of a school that may be a short distance from the road. The sign shows the silhouette of two children walking on a crosswalk with the words “school crossing” or “school zone” in black text. If you see a school crossing sign, watch out for children, slow down, and obey the directions of a crossing guard.

Railroad Crossing Signs alert drivers to the presence of railroad tracks ahead. Compared to active signs like traffic signs and signals, Railroad Crossing Signs are passive. They are literal signs usually seen when driving around smaller towns, highways, or byways. Drivers must not stop on train tracks for any reason because trains may pass day or night.

Construction and Detour Signs

Detour Signs are used to direct traffic around dangerous areas. They are most commonly put up when there is construction, but they can also be used in case of a severe traffic accident or other emergencies.

Construction Signs inform drivers about lane closures, delays, and other traffic issues caused by construction work on roads in your area. These are also used to notify drivers of the dangers of new or temporary construction and how to maintain reasonable safety on highways and roads. Bold orange signs with black text or symbols indicate these areas.

Information and Directional Signs

Direction Signs are the oldest type of road sign, as the Greek philosopher Plutarch wrote milestones in the 3rd century BC. This signage helps traffic control in public roadways, facility grounds, and parking lots. They let you know where you are and where you can go. These signs vary from country to country because the Vienna Convention does not specify their sizes, sign colors, symbols, or positions.

Information Signs tell you where the closest service, tourist attraction, or town site is. These can include information boards, signs, and pointers to help desks (like in libraries, railway stations, and airports).

Parking Signs

Parking Signs guide drivers to where they can park. They also give important information, such as how long you’re allowed to park there and if there are any restrictions. Parking signs have different colors depending on the type of parking they show.

Do Not Enter, Wrong Way, and One-Way Signs

Do Not Enter Signs indicate that you should not enter a particular road or area. You may see this sign at intersections, meaning there is no road access from the vehicle’s direction.

Wrong Way Signs are generally rectangular. They inform drivers about the wrong direction of travel on one-way streets or roads.

One-Way Signs are usually rectangular-shaped, with arrows pointing left or right to direct traffic on one-way streets and highways.

Emergency Vehicle Crossing

Emergency Vehicle Crossing signs are not common, but they are very important. They alert drivers of areas where emergency vehicles may be crossing the road. These signs also indicate a firehouse, ambulance station, or other emergency vehicle centers are nearby. Usually, they are posted along roadways and help increase driver awareness and minimize accidents.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Signs

Bicycle Signs warn drivers of bicycles and pedestrians on the road. These signs can be found in areas where cyclists often travel, such as bike paths or bike lanes. When you see a Bicycle Crossing sign while driving, be sure to slow down, keep an eye out for bicyclists on the road ahead of you, and follow all rules for sharing the road with bicyclists.

Pedestrian Signs remind drivers that pedestrians have the right of way when crossing roads at marked crosswalks. These signs can also be found where pedestrians frequently walk, like sidewalks and crossings.

We Care For Your Road Safety

Whether you are new to driving or a seasoned road user, it is always important to know the common road signs and their meanings to keep yourself, your passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers safe from accidents. This is why we have curated this list of all the most common and most important road signs a good driver must know about.

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