Driver’s Education

Chapter 2

Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings

Shapes and Color

Each sign shape and color has a special meaning. By knowing the meaning of these shapes and colors, you can get valuable information from a sign, even at a distance

Regulatory Sign – such as a stop sign, controls traffic

Warning Sign – alerts you to possible hazards and road conditions ahead

Guide Sign – Give directions

Regulatory Signs

Stop Sign – red octagon with white letters and border

Must always come to a full stop

Once stopped you must yield the right of way to pedestrians or other vehicles.

Regulatory Signs Right of way – means that

you accept the privilege of immediate use of the roadway

4 way stop (all way stop)– First driver stopped goes

first– Vehicles stopped at the

same time, vehicle on right goes first

– Driver turning left should wait for driver going straight

Regulatory Signs Yield Sign – red and

white triangle Always slow or stop, and

give the right of way to traffic when approaching

Can proceed without completely stopping, but always be prepared to stop

Proceed without affecting the flow of traffic

Regulatory Signs Speed Limit Sign – used

to manage traffic flow at safe speeds

Speed limits are for ideal driving conditions

Minimum Speed Limits – Set on expressways to keep traffic moving safely

Advisory speed limits – set for special conditions like sharp curves and school zones

Regulatory Signs

Other Signs Turns and Lanes One way Control parking and

passing

Warning Signs Diamond Shaped

Warning Signs - most are diamond shaped with yellow background and black lettering

Warn of danger ahead Be prepared to slow or

stop when you see a warning sign

School Sign

School Zone – is a portion of a street or highway near a school that is subject to special speed limits

School Crossing – is a intersection or crossing used by school children

Construction Signs An orange sign in a

diamond or rectangle shape

Be ready to stop, slow, or drive around workers and equipment

Follow directions from signs and workers direction traffic

New Jersey increases fines for violations in construction zones

Railroad Signs Railroad Crossing Sign –

round yellow sign with a black X and 2 black R’s

250 ft before crossing in Urban area

750ft before crossing is rural area

Crossbuck – the crossing will be marked with the crossbuck and may have flashing red lights or a gate

Guide Signs Local, state, and interstate

routes are posted with route signs

Signs vary according to the type of roadway

Green signs provide information on destinations

Blue signs guide you to services near the highway

Brown signs indicate a point of interest

Let Review the road signs.

Traffic Lights Green Light – Only proceed when intersection is clear. Check traffic on all sides before entering intersection When approaching light that has been green awhile, but

prepared for the light to turn yellow The green light will be on the bottom of the traffic signal Yellow Light – Make every effort to stop a safely for a

yellow light. If you are to close to stop safely, proceed with caution

and exit the intersection before the light turns red The yellow light will appear in the middle of the traffic

signal

Traffic Lights

Red Light – You must come to a full stop. Stop behind line, crosswalk, or before entering intersection if no lines.

Top light on traffic signal

Right Turn on Red

This is making a right turn when the traffic signal is red.

Treat light like stop sign

If no turn on red sign is posted. You can not make the turn

Flashing Signals

Alerts drivers to dangerous conditions ahead or tells them to stop

Flashing red light make full stop

Flashing yellow, slow down and be prepared to stop

Roadway Markings Gives you warning or

direction. These are lines, words, or arrows painted on the roadway.

Broken Yellow Line – separates two way traffic and may pass when no traffic is coming from the opposite direction

Roadway Markings

Solid Yellow Line – indicates that passing is not allowed

Turning left across a solid line is allowed after yielding to oncoming traffic

Roadway Markings Broken White lines –

separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction

Solid white lines keep drivers in their lanes and you should not cross them

Solid white lines are also used in crosswalks and stop lines

Roadway Markings

White arrows in lanes tell you when and where to turn

If you are in a lane with an arrow you must continue in the direction of the arrow

Roadway Markings

Rumble Strips – are short sections of corrugated roadway

They alert you by noise when you drive over them

Also used before unexpected stops like a toll plaza

Roadway Markings

Curbs alongside a road may be painted to indicate warnings or that parking is not permitted

Also check for signs that say handicapped parking only

Slow down and make every attempt to stop

Flashing Yellow

Slow down proceed with caution

Flashing Red Light

Stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians

Do not cross street

Crossing Permitted

Motorist Services and Information

Road Construction Signs

School zone/crossing

Railroad Crossing

Warning Signs/Roadway Hazards

No passing in either direction

Passing permitted on right side/No passing on left side

Passing Permitted, Both lanes same direction

Crosswalk, Pedestrian Crossing Zone, Yield to Pedestrians