Road Signs, Signals & Markings
Traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings form a visual language that keeps every road user moving safely and predictably. Learning to read them by shape, color, and position lets you understand a message instantly, even before you can read the words.
Sign Shapes and Colors
Each sign shape and color carries meaning so you can recognize it at a glance. A red octagon always means STOP, while a downward-pointing triangle means YIELD. Yellow diamonds warn of hazards ahead, orange signs mark construction zones, and a pennant shape warns of a no-passing zone. Regulatory signs that state a law are usually white with black or red lettering, and blue or green signs guide you to services and destinations.
Regulatory vs Warning Signs
Regulatory signs tell you what you must or must not do, and disobeying them is against the law. Speed limit, one-way, do-not-enter, and no-turn signs all fall into this group. Warning signs, by contrast, alert you to conditions ahead such as a curve, merge, school crossing, or slippery road so you can prepare and adjust your speed. Treat every warning sign as a cue to scan the area and be ready to react.
Traffic Signal Meanings
A steady green light means you may proceed if the way is clear, while a steady yellow warns that the light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do so safely. A steady red means stop completely and remain stopped until the light turns green; a flashing red is treated like a stop sign, and a flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with caution. A red arrow means you may not turn in that direction, and a green arrow gives you a protected turn. If the signal is dark or malfunctioning, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
Pavement Markings
Line color and pattern tell you how traffic is organized. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, and white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction. A solid line means do not cross to pass, while a broken line means passing or a lane change is allowed when it is safe. Double solid yellow lines mean neither direction may cross to pass, and painted crosswalks and stop lines show exactly where to stop for pedestrians and signals.