Module 8/Lesson 2 of 4
Warning Signs
Diamond-shaped yellow signs that warn of curves, narrows, hills, animals, school crossings, and other hazards ahead.
~12 min read
What Are Warning Signs?
Warning signs flag hazards or out-of-the-ordinary situations coming up -- think curves, turns, dips, or a side road joining yours. The typical design is a diamond shape carrying a yellow background with black symbols or lettering.
Road Geometry Warnings
- Narrow bridge ahead -- expect the road to get tighter
- Road branching off ahead
- Intersection ahead -- the arrow points to whichever flow of traffic holds the right-of-way
- Roundabout ahead -- ease off your speed; the counter-clockwise arrows indicate how traffic circulates inside the roundabout
- Drivers on the sideroad don't have a clear view of the traffic at the intersection coming up
- Pavement narrows ahead
- Slight bend or curve coming up in the road
- Maximum safe speed for curve -- mounted beneath a curve warning sign
- Sharp bend or turn coming up in the road
- Chevron (arrowhead) signs -- set out in clusters to steer drivers through sharp curves
- Winding road ahead
- Bridge ahead lifts or swings so that boats can pass
- Paved surface ends ahead
Traffic and Lane Warnings
- Bicycle crossing ahead
- Stop sign ahead -- ease off your speed
- Share the road with oncoming traffic
- Share the road -- tells motorists to leave cyclists safe room; stay extra alert here
- Slippery when wet -- reduce speed and proceed carefully
- Hazard close to road edge -- the downward stripes mark the side you can safely pass on
- Divided highway begins -- separated roadways carry one-way traffic each direction; stay to the right
- Right lane ends ahead -- blend safely into the lane on your left
- Traffic lights ahead -- ease off your speed
- Steep hill ahead -- shifting to a lower gear may help
- Two roads merging -- responsibility for a smooth merge falls equally on drivers from each road
- Divided highway ends -- one shared road again carries traffic both ways; stay right
- Underpass ahead -- mind tall vehicles; the sign lists the available clearance
- Bump or uneven pavement ahead -- slow down and keep your vehicle under control
Animal, Pedestrian, and Crossing Warnings
- Snowmobiles cross this road
- Railway crossing ahead -- stay alert for trains; the sign also indicates the angle the tracks take across the road
- Sharp turn/bend with checkerboard border -- the checkerboard pattern flags danger; slow down and take care
- Deer regularly cross this road -- stay alert for animals
- Truck entrance on the right (or left) side of the road coming up
- Maximum safe speed on ramp
- Watch for pedestrians and be ready to share the road
- Watch for fallen rock and be ready to steer clear of a collision
- Water flowing over the road
- Hidden school bus stop -- reduce speed, take extra care, and look for children as well as a school bus showing flashing red lights
- Bus entrance ahead -- give way to buses pulling onto the roadway
- Fire truck entrance ahead -- give way to fire trucks
- School crossing -- look for children and obey the crossing guard or school safety patroller directing traffic
Key takeaways
- Warning signs are diamond-shaped with a yellow background and black symbols
- Curve speed signs show the maximum safe speed for the curve ahead
- Chevron (arrowhead) signs appear in clusters to steer you through sharp curves
- When right lane ends, you must merge safely into the left lane
- Deer crossing signs mean animals regularly cross -- be especially alert during dusk-to-dawn hours
- Checkerboard border on a sign indicates danger -- slow down immediately
- Hidden school bus stop signs require you to slow down and watch for children even if you can't see the bus
- Railway crossing warning signs also indicate the angle the tracks take across the road