
Crossing," warning of a gap in the median without an intersection. Similar signs using this shape include "Rough Road Ahead," "Dangerous Dip" and "Unguarded Level It shows two curves that look like parentheses side by side in the wrong direction to show the narrowing of the traffic lane. Narrow Bridge: The Narrow Bridge Ahead sign is a triangle with the base at the bottom instead of at the top. Yellow diamonds for lane changes: These signs, common during road work, show lanes being added or taken away from the flow of traffic. Legally, these are yield signs, which require you to stop at the tracks before proceeding. Crossbuck signs: The crossbuck is an X-shaped sign at a railroad crossing. With the point at the top, it informs you about the road ahead.Īlthough they may use familiar shapes or colors, some signs give us unusual information. Triangle: A triangle point down is the most common yield sign. Black and white squares with an interior shield shape are found on local routes. A red, white and blue shield is used on interstates. Chevron or shield: A chevron or shield shape identifies the road that you are on. House: A sign that looks like a small house warns you that you are entering a school zone. Squares are also used for announcing recreational facilities. Square: These signs inform you about services The most familiar would be the square blue signs before an exit with information about food and lodging. Think of the green instructional signs on an interstate. Rectangle: A rectangular sign guides you. Yellow diamond shapes can signal deer crossings, a sharp curve ahead, and the anticipation of traffic signals. Diamond: These are normally warning types of signs. Railroad crossing signs are usually circular. Stop signs are the only octagonal sign, making them easily recognizable from behind.
Again, the classic example is a stop sign, although many of them are eight-sided rather than perfect circles. Here are common examples of road sign shapes:
Red rectangle traffic sign driver#
Virtually every driver or pedestrian would immediately understand a red octagon as a stop sign even with no writing on it. Road sign shapes and colors together can a single mean meaning. Not only does your brain interpret sign colors, but it also recognizes certain shapes as meaning certain things. Brown: Used for recreation and cultural sites, think, "Indiana Dunes State Park Ahead.".Yellow-green: School zones and pedestrian crossings are the most common messages.The most common green signs are interstate signs explaining what's coming up at the next exit. Green: Green signs give you traffic instructions.Speed limit signs are a familiar example. Blue: This color conveys general information, often about road user services, such as "Rest Area Ahead." It is also used for evacuation routes.These signs often reflect a temporary condition. Orange: Think of a "Construction Ahead" sign.Yellow: Take caution, look around before you act.Red: Obey the sign, such as when you come to the stop sign.If you're looking for particular information, color coding allows you to focus on the particular meaning of a sign. Color countsĮvery color on non-commercial traffic signs means something. Let's look at the ways traffic signs convey information to keep drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists safe on our roadways. Either way, road sign shapes and colors should not create distracted driving. When it comes to the size, shape, color and messaging of roads signs, they convey a particular meaning that creates a message we absorb and obey consciously or subconsciously.