Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Signs, Signals and Markings
Signs, Signals and Markings
Session Goals
1. Understand what traffic control devices are and why they are
important.
2. Understand the many factors that influence their ability to observe,
recognize, understand and react to traffic control devices.
3. Understand why correct application of right of way rules is important.
4. Demonstrate the ability to observe, recognize, understand and react to
the three types of traffic control devices: signs, signals, and markings
behind the wheel.
5. Demonstrate the ability to implement proper right of way in different
situations behind the wheel.
Key Vocabulary and Topics
Colors for Traffic Signs: Shapes for Traffic Signs:
• Red • Octagon
• Yellow
• Triangle
• White
• Black • Diamond
• Green • Circular
• Brown • Pentagon
• Blue
• Rectangle
• Orange
• Fluorescent Yellow
• Fluorescent Pink
Key Vocabulary and Topics
Types Traffic Signs: Traffic Signals:
• Regulatory • Steady red/ yellow/green
• Flashing red /yellow
• Warning
• Flashing yellow arrow
• Construction
• Red “X” and arrow
• Guide • Yellow “X” and arrow
• Incident • Green arrow
• Chevron • Pedestrian signals, countdown
timers
• Multiple left turn lanes
• Multiple right turn lanes
Key Vocabulary and Topics
Pavement Markings: Special Vehicle Lights:
• White lines (solid or broken • Side markers
• Yellow lines
• Vehicle back- up lights
• Double solid yellow lines
• License plate light
• Solid yellow line with a broken
yellow line (on your side of center • Vehicle turn signals
line)
• High mounted brake lights
• Solid yellow line with a broken
yellow line (on far side of center) • Parking lights
• Blue curb or red curb
• Lane marker arrows
• Bicycle paths
Traffic Control Device
Traffic control devices provide information about the condition and shape
of the road ahead, laws that govern the roads, and hazards ahead.
They include:
• Pavement markings
• Signal lights
• Traffic lights
They help to improve safety on the road by allowing for the organized and
foreseeable movement of traffic.
Recognizing Traffic Control Devices
Why are the below characteristics of traffic control devices important….
• Color?
• Shape?
• Words?
• Placement?
Traffic Signs
The shape and color of traffic signs give indications of the information they
can provide including traffic rules, special hazards, your location, how to
get where you are going, and where services are available.
Common Traffic Signs and Meanings
Stop Sign (Regulation)
Meaning:
• Come to a full stop. Yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians in or
heading towards the intersection. Go when it is safe.
• You must come to a full stop before the stop line if there is one. If not, you
must stop before the crosswalk.
• If there isn’t a stop line or crosswalk, you must stop before you enter the
intersection, at the point nearest the intersection that gives you a view of
traffic on the intersecting roadway.
Common Traffic Signs and Meanings
Yield Sign (Regulation)
Meaning:
• Decrease speed as you reach the intersection. Prepare to stop and yield
the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians in or heading toward the
intersection
• You must come to a full stop at YIELD sign IF traffic conditions require it.
When you approach a YIELD sign, check carefully for traffic and be
prepared to stop.
Common Traffic Signs and Meanings
Other Regulation Signs
Meaning:
• These signs give information about rules for traffic direction, lane use,
turns, speed, parking, and other special requirements
• Some regulation signs have a red circle with a slash over a symbol. This
indicates that an action, like a right turn, is not allowed or that some
vehicles are restricted from the road. Rectangular white signs with black
or red letters or symbols are indications to be alert for special rules.
Common Traffic Signs and Meanings
Warning Signs
Meaning:
• You are approaching a hazardous location or a location where there is a
special rule
• A warning sign can be accompanied by a yellow and black
“recommended speed” sign, indicating reduced speed is advise.
Common Traffic Signs and Meanings
Work Area Signs
Meaning:
• People are at work on or near the roadway; traffic can be controlled by a
flag person
• A work area speed limit as low as 25 can be posted. Even if no speed
limit is provided, you must drive at a reduced speed through the work
zone and you must always obey the flag persons.
Common Traffic Signs and Meanings
Service Signs
Meaning:
• Show the location of services like rest areas, gas stations, camping and
medical facilities.
Common Traffic Signs and Meanings
Destination Signs
Meaning:
• Show the direction and distance to locations
Traffic Lights
• Usually red, yellow, green from top to bottom or left to right
• If traffic lights are out of service or not operating correctly when you
approach an intersection, you must come to a stop as you would for a
stop sign. You must then continue according to the rules of right-of-way,
unless you are told to continue by a traffic officer.
Traffic Lights and What They Indicate
Pedestrian Signals
• Designed to allow pedestrians to cross streets safely
• A driver who enters a traffic circle or rotary must yield the right-of-way to
drivers already in the circle.
Intersections
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHFpGAmgct4
Review
• What shape does a regulation sign typically have?
Rectangular
• What type of pavement marking shows you which lane you must use for
a turn?
Arrow
• Which of the following must you obey over the other three: Red light,
flashing red light, stop sign, or police officer.
Police Officer
Review
What do these lines indicate?
One broken: You can pass other vehicles or change lanes if you can do so safely without interfering
with traffic.
One solid: You can pass other vehicles or change lanes, but you can only do so when obstructions in
the road or traffic conditions make it necessary.
Double solid: You cannot pass or change lanes. You cannot go across the lines except to turn left to
enter or leave the highway (e.g., to or from a driveway or to do a U-turn).
Solid and broken together: If you are on the side with the solid line, you cannot pass other vehicles
or go across the line except to make a left turn into a driveway. If you are on the side with the
broken line, you can pass if it is safe to and you will not interfere with traffic.
Review
• You are at a green light, but traffic on the other side of the intersection
does not allow you to pass all the way through the intersection. Can you
enter the intersection?
No