To drive safely, you must follow many rules and laws. Driving rules tell
you where and when you can drive. They are not only for informational
purposes, but more importantly, for your safety. Traffic signs can come
in all shapes and sizes….
Many road signs warn
you to slow down or watch for hazards ahead. Most warning signs are yellow
and shaped like a diamond. Some common warning signs are shown below.
All warning signs must be obeyed.
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| Crossroad
or Another road crosses yours up ahead. |
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| There
is a traffic signal ahead. |
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| There
is another lane of traffic merging with your lane ahead. |
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| There
is a pedestrian crosswalk ahead and the pedestrian has the right-of-way |
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| The
right lane ends ahead. |
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| You
may turn left when the light is green. Yield to traffic which is close
enough to be a hazard. |
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Traffic lights, signs, and "right-of-way" rules
tell you when to go or stop at an intersection. These are what the colors
of traffic lights mean…
| RED
- A red signal light means "STOP."
A right turn can be made against a red light after you stop and yield
to pedestrians and vehicles in your path. DO NOT turn if there is
a sign posted for "NO TURN ON RED." |
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| RED ARROW
- A red arrow means "STOP"
until the green signal or green arrow appears. A turn may not be made
against a red arrow. |
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| FLASHING
RED - A flashing red signal light means exactly
the same as a stop sign: namely, STOP!
After stopping, proceed when safe, observing the right-of-way rules. |
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| YELLOW
- A yellow signal light warns you that the red signal is about to
appear. When you see the yellow light, you should stop, if you can
do so safely. If you can't stop, look out for vehicles that may enter
the intersection when the light changes. |
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| FLASHING
YELLOW - A flashing yellow signal light warns
you to be careful. Slow down and be especially alert. |
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| YELLOW ARROW
- A yellow arrow means the "protected' turning time period is
ending. Be prepared to obey the next signal which could be the green
or red light or the red arrow. |
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| GREEN
- A green light means "GO,"
but first you must let any vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians remaining
in the intersection go. When your signal changes to green, get through
before you move ahead. Make the left turn only if you have enough
space to complete the turn before any oncoming vehicle, bicycle, or
pedestrian becomes a hazard. Do not enter an intersection, even when
the light is green, unless there is enough space to completely cross
before the light turns red. If heavy traffic causes you to block traffic,
you can be cited. |
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| GREEN ARROW
- A green arrow means "GO,"
but first you must yield to any vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian still
in the intersection. The green arrow pointing right or left allows
you to make a "protected" turn; oncoming vehicles, bicycles,
and pedestrians are stopped by a red light as long as the green arrow
is lighted. |
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If all traffic signal lights are not working because of
an electrical power failure, you must stop at the intersection and then
proceed when you know other turning and approaching vehicles, bicycles,
or pedestrians will also be stopping. A blacked-out traffic signal is
the same as a stop sign controlled intersection in all directions.
Regulatory signs
are black on white or white on black, and show what you must do at a given
point. They have the same force as traffic laws. Some regulatory signs
show the speed limit, others instruct as to direction (one-way, keep right);
or slow traffic keep right, or prohibited actions (no U-Turn).
Guide signs come in blue,
green and brown
and tell motorists which services are available in the vicinity. These
are only a few of the many guide signs you might see along the highways.
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