CONTENT: In recent years, road signs in the U.S. have been changing. The new signs are similar to the International Road Signs, but they have been modified somewhat to suit American needs and preferences. Many U.S. signs use only pictures to communicate their messages, just as European road signs do. Some signs use English language words just as road signs in the U.S. have done for years. Other signs use a combination of words and pictures.
Road signs are aids to drivers. In fact, they may be the most important safety aid you get as a driver besides your own alertness and common sense. The Alaska Drivers Manual states that, "Many fatal accidents occur when a driver does not heed a clearly visible traffic sign." Sad, but true. They are there for you. Doesn't it make sense to use them? Of course it does. But why don't drivers heed them? They may be operating on "stare." Not expecting the unexpected. Not putting their full attention on the job of driving. Remember, driving is an active, not a passive job.
Road signs help drivers in one of three ways, sometimes in a combination of these ways. (1) They warn you of conditions ahead that will require extra alertness or caution. Want to drive safely? Heed the signs. (2) They guide you to your destination. Want to get where you're going? Heed the signs. (3) They inform you of driving regulations. Want to avoid traffic tickets? Heed the signs.
There are three important things to notice about road signs: the color, the shape, and the pictures and/or words. They shows you the basic purposes of eight different shapes of road signs. (Pennants and arrow shapes are also used, but are less common.)
Besides shape, color is an important signal to the meaning of a road sign. Nationwide, the colors used have been standardized as follows:
RED AND WHITE: Red and white generally means STOP, but it can also mean DON'T or even (in the case of yield signs) STOP WHEN NECESSARY. The meaning of red and white is the least consistent of the colors as far as I'm concerned. It means something quite different when used on a stop sign, a yield sign, a do not enter sign and a no parking sign. However, one thing you can count on about red and white is this: You'd better do what the sign says, because not following a red and white road sign can get you into serious trouble.
ONE WAY
BLACK ON WHITE: Regulations; instructions which the driver must understand and obey. Violations of the instructions can result in traffic citations or, in the case of ''keep right" signs (and others) accidents. (NOTE: Black and red can be used together on white as they are on the new no right turn sign.)
RAHWAY CROSSING
BLACK ON YELLOW: Warning signs. Observe extra caution because actual or potential dangers lie ahead. Most warning signs imply that you should decrease the speed of your vehicle.
WHITE ON GREEN: Signs with green backgrounds give information about routes and place names. They may give mileage information, and they'll help you get where you're going.
ROADSIDE BUSINESS
WHITE ON BLUE: Service signs. These signs give information for your convenience. Some of the things they mark are fuel, phone, food and lodging, rest areas, handicapped parking, campgrounds and litter barrels. They are frequently accompanied by an arrow.
BLACK ON ORANGE: Construction and maintenance warning signs. These signs mean that there are temporary conditions ahead that will require you to be especially alert. They often imply that you should slow down and prepare for special road conditions.
WHITE ON BROWN: Brown signs indicate that there are public recreations (such as state or county parks) in your vicinity. They also give scenic guidance.
They also give examples of how colors and shapes are combined to give drivers important regulatory, safety and guidance information. (NOTE: This workbook will not show colors as it is printed in black and white.)
DO: As a means of reviewing and committing to memory the colors and shapes of road signs, design your own road signs in the spaces on the right. Use pictures and/or words to communicate the message on the left in the clearest way you can think of. Use appropriate colors and shapes.
Draw and color road signs to indicate all of the following:
- Warning: Falling rocks ahead
- No doubles
- Fast food restaurant next exit
- Low bridge clearance ahead
- Nuclear incident ahead
- No cowboys
- Yield to tricycles
- Scenic overlook ahead
- Center lane for making turns
- City of Oz 46 miles to the left; Kansas 1,440 miles to the right
