Traffic Signs

NV Driver Education Curriculum

Unit 2: Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings

Presentation 1 of 3

Road Signs Video

See Rules of the Road video#4-Road Signs(California DMV)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdjI-mwwMaE

(1:39)

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

NOTE: Some on - Check access

Purposes of Signs

• Signs are designed to be easily understood• Designed to ensure safety and communicate

– Regulate traffic, movement, or parking– Warn of potential dangers or road conditions– Provide information and guidance

• Traffic signs have uniform colors and shapes

Colors Have MeaningColors convey traffic control information

Yellow warning/caution

Black & Whiteregulatory

Orangeconstruction zone

Blue services

Redstop or prohibition

Greendirection or guidance

Brownrecreational

Fluorescent Yellow-Green warning

Shapes Have MeaningShapes make recognition easier

Octagonstop

Triangleyield Diamond-warning or construction Pentagonschool Shield - route

Rectangle (tall & long)traffic regulations Pennantno passing Circlerailroad ahead Cross Buckrailroad crossing

Types of Signs

Three basic types of signs:

• Regulatory

• Warning

• Guide

Each convey a different type of information

Regulatory Signs

Control traffic and must be obeyed• Most important regulatory signs

– Stop (unique shape)

– Yield (unique shape)

– Do Not Enter• All other regulatory signs are either white

squares or rectangles with red or black lettering

Failure to Stop Video

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NOTE: Some on - Check access

See Top 10 Reasons for Failing the Driving Test video

#3-Failure to Stop(California DMV)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w709hQoMID4

(2:00)

Stop Signs

• Tells you where to stop (sign or line indicates where to make legal stop)

• Used at intersection of two (or more) streets• Intersection may be a two-way or four-way stop

Stop Signs Videos

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

See 60 Second Driver videoFour-Way Stops

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/FourWayStops.html

(0:60) each

See 60 Second Driver videoStop Signs

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/stopsigns.html

(0:60)

Yield Sign

Found where roadways merge• Always slow and check traffic• Be prepared to stop• Proceed only when it is safe

Stop Signs VideosSee 60 Second Driver video

Mandatory Stops

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/MandatoryStops.html

(0:60)

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*Suggest full screen viewing

See 60 Second Driver videoYielding

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/Yielding.html

(0:60)

Speed Limits

• Show maximum speed allowed– sometimes also minimum

• Speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions– Poor weather condition, obey the basic speed law

• Basic Speed Law: Do not drive faster than is safe for current weather conditions, regardless of posted speed limit

• Advisory Speed Limits recommend safe speed

Speed Limits Video

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

NOTE: Some on - Check access

See Rules of the Road video#5-Speed Limits(California DMV)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrycG2Qzpy4

(1:22)

Other Regulatory Signs

• Prohibited – some red circle with red slash

• Movement

• Other Restrictions/Prohibitions

Warning Signs

Most warning signs are yellow and diamond shape

• Intersections

• Lane changes

• Traffic

• Railroad

• Crossings

• Conditions

• Curves

– Chevrons

Pedestrian & School ZonesSlow down and watch for children!

• Subject to speed limits – either 15 or 25 mph• Half an hour before and after school

– Some flashing lights indicate time of speed restrictions

• Violating crossing guard is misdemeanor in NV

Railroad Crossing

• Crossbuck sign indicates location of tracks

• If lights flashing, you must stop

• If gate lowered, may not go around

Passenger buses and truck with flammable or dangerous materials must stop at tracks

A train can weigh over 10 million pounds and cannot swerve to avoid cars.

Railroad Crossing Video

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

NOTE: Some on - Check access

See PSA sHighways or Dieways?

Going Around the Gatehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTf5Q9SUp8U

Beat the Trainhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aaw267yQeY

(0:31) each

See video featuring National Driver Safety expert Dr. KlineRailroad Crossing Safety

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNdREouyBK8

(3:08)

See 60 Second Driver videoRail Crossing Safety

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/RailSafety.html

(0:60)

Road Construction

• Orange signs - may include cones, drums, barricades, and flashing lights

• May include warning or directional lights• SLOW DOWN and follow all directions

Violation in work zone result in INCREASED traffic fines

Work Zones

Driving Tips• Slow down• Follow the signs• Be alert• Remain calm• Give trucks space

They need more room to stop and change lanes.

Orange signs of work zones Orange signs of work zones Enter with extra concentration, caution, and common sense.

REMEMBER: Speed limit applies regardless of the presence of workers and fines are doubled.

Work Zone VideoSee NYSDOT video

A Family’s Grief – Your Car is Like a Weapon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHfX5ia74qY

(6:06)

See VDOT videoWork Zone Safety

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr4X0dlfqLs

(1:41)

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

NOTE: Some on - Check access

See 60 Second Driver videoWork Zones & Speeding

Through Work Zones

http://www.mpi.mb.ca/English/dr_tips/Headlights.html

(0:60) each

Guide SignsSeveral shapes and colors

• Destination and Mileage

• Route Markers

• Roadside Services

• Recreational Areas

Route Signs

• Interstate signs blue and red – East-West routes = even numbers

– North-South routes = odd numbers

• Three-figure route numbers– Start with odd number leads into city

– Start with even number goes around city

• Loops usually bypass cities– Meets primary route at both ends

• Spurs is a short route – Meets primary route at one end

State Route

County Route

International Signs

International signs convey information by symbols rather than words.

According to international agreements:• Danger warning signs

either triangle or diamond• Restrictive or prohibitory

circle with red border, may have slash

• Mandatory directional signs usually blue circles

International Signs

Think: • Red = restriction

or warnings• Blue = guidance• Yellow = caution• Green = information

PolandTunnel Ahead

SwitzerlandPassing

Place

S. AfricaNo Stopping

New ZealandStop for People

Crossing

MexicoInspection

Area

MalaysiaObstruction

Ahead

GermanyBus Stop China

Keep YourDistance

AustraliaPedestrians may Cross Diagonally

1 2 3

45

6

7 8

9

10

See Worksheet

CanadaSharp Turn

Did You Know

The first STOP sign appeared in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan.

There were a variety of colors until the late 1920’s, when the background was standardized as yellow - standardized as yellow - for nearly 30 years. for nearly 30 years.

By 1954, a durable fade-resistant red coatings changed the STOP sign to the

red color we see today.