Warning signs alert you to hazards or possible hazards ahead such as upcoming intersections or changing traffic and road conditions. Most warning signs are diamond shaped, and they normally have a yellow background with black symbols or letters. Fluorescent strong yellow-green warning signs are now being used at pedestrian, bicycle and school crossings. There are dozens of different diamond-shaped warning signs, and depending on where you live or travel, you are unlikely to have seen them all. If you spend most of your time in the city, for example, you may have never seen a TRACTOR CROSSING sign. On the other hand, if you live in a rural area you may not be familiar with some of the warning signs found on complicated freeway interchanges. Many diamond-shaped warning signs reflect specific dangers in local areas, so pay close attention!
Below are some common warning signs. These signs give you advance notice of possible hazards ahead. Drive with caution.
Slippery When Wet. In wet weather, drive slowly. Do not speed up or brake quickly. Make sharp turns at a very slow speed.
Divided Highway Ahead. The highway ahead is divided into two one-way roadways. Keep to the right
Divided Highway Ends. The divided highway on which you are traveling ends 250 to 500 feet ahead. You will then be on a roadway with two-way traffic. Keep to the right.
Bicycle Crossing. Warns you in advance that a bikeway crosses the roadway ahead.
Merging Traffic. You are coming to a point where another traffic lane joins the one you are on. Watch for other traffic and be ready to yield the right-of-way when necessary.
Pedestrian Crossing. Watch for people crossing the street. Slow down or stop if necessary.
Narrow Bridge. The bridge is wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic, but with very little clearance.
Dip. There is a low place in the road. Go slowly and be ready to stop if the dip is filled with water.
Soft Shoulder. The dirt on the side of the road is soft. Don’t leave the pavement except in an emergency.
One Lane Bridge. The bridge is wide enough for only one vehicle at a time. Make sure the bridge is clear on oncoming traffic before you cross.
Pavement Ends. Road surface ahead changes from a hard surfaced pavement to a low-type surface or earth road.
Right Curve. Slow you speed and keep well to the left. The road will curve to the right.
Double Curve. The road will curve to the right, then to the left. Slow your speed, keep to the right and do not pass.
Winding Road. There are several curves ahead. Drive slowly and carefully.
Truck Crossing. Watch for trucks entering or crossing the highway.
Cross Road. A road crosses the main highway ahead. Look to the left and right for other traffic.
Side Road. Another road enters the highway from the direction shown. Watch for traffic from that direction.
Sharp Right Turn. The road will make a sharp turn to the right. Slow your speed, keep to the right, and do not pass other vehicles.
Reduction of Lanes. There will be fewer lanes ahead. Traffic must merge left. Drivers in the left lane should allow others to merge smoothly. Right lane ends.
Advisory Speed Sign. The highest safe speed you should travel around the curve ahead is 25 miles per hour. Advisory speed signs may be used with any diamond-shaped warning sign.
Hill/Downgrade. Slow down and be ready to shift to lower gear to control speed and save brakes.
Yield Ahead. Warning of yield sign ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop at yield sign or adjust speed to traffic.
Traffic Signal Ahead. Warning of traffic signals at intersection ahead. Slow down, poor visibility is likely.
Stop Sign Ahead. When you come to this sign, slow down to be ready to stop at the stop sign.
Two-Way Traffic Ahead. The one-way street or roadway ahead ends. You will then be facing oncoming traffic.
Animal Crossing. The animal pictured on the sign is common in this area: watch for these species crossing the road particularly during twilight and nighttime hours.
A round yellow sign with a large black X and two black R’s warns you that you are approaching a railroad intersection. Additional markings may also appear on the roadway.
Crossbuck. The railroad crossing itself is often marked with a crossed white sign called a cross buck. It is sometimes mounted over a pair of red lights that flash when a train is coming. There may also be a crossing gate with warning bells.