1. Unit 2: Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings
Traffic Signs
NV Driver Education Curriculum
Unit 2: Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings
Presentation 1 of 3
TOPICS:
-Purpose of Signs
-Types of Signs
-International Signs

2. Before we begin... Let’s Talk About It
Share your thoughts with a partner.
Take 60 seconds to discuss: Why do you think traffic signs come in different colors and shapes?
Signs image from:
Retrieved 7/31/10

3. 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
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09

4. Colors convey traffic control information
Colors Have Meaning
Colors convey traffic control information
Yellow warning/caution
Black & White
regulatory
Orange
work zone
Blue
services
Red
stop or prohibition
Green
direction or guidance
Brown
recreational
Fluorescent Yellow-Green
warning
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09

5. Shapes make recognition easier
Shapes Have Meaning
Shapes make recognition easier
Octagon
stop
Triangle
yield
Diamond
warning
Pentagon
school
Shield - route
Rectangle (tall & long) traffic regulations
Pennant
no passing
Circle
railroad ahead
Cross Buck
railroad crossing
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09
School image from:
Retrieved 12/22/09

6. Each convey a different type of information
Types of Signs
Three basic types of signs:
Regulatory
Warning
Guide
Each convey a different type of information
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09
Slow-moving vehicle image from:
Retrieved: 12/22/09

7. Control traffic and must be obeyed
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
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09

8. 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
Intersection image from:
Cross traffic image from:
4-way image from:
Retrieved: 12/22/09

9. Found where roadways merge
Yield Sign
Found where roadways merge
Always slow and check traffic
Be prepared to stop
Proceed only when it is safe
Pedestrian images from:
Roundabout image from:
Bike image from:
Retrieved: 12/22/09

10. 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
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09

11. Other Regulatory Signs
Prohibited – some red circle with red slash
Movement
Other Restrictions/Prohibitions
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09

12. Most warning signs are yellow and diamond shape
Intersections
Lane changes
Traffic
Railroad
Crossings
Conditions
Curves
Chevrons
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09

13. Pedestrian & School Zones
Slow 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
Crossing image from:
Pedestrian signs images from:
15mph image from: Nevada Driver’s Handbook, page 25
Flashers image from:
Retrieved: 12/22/09

14. 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
Image from:
Retrieved: 12/22/09
A train can weigh over 10 million pounds and cannot swerve to avoid cars.

15. Violation in work zone result in INCREASED traffic fines
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
Caution/Move/Merge images from:
Electric sign image from:
Workers image from:
Flagger image from:
Barrels image from:
Retrieved: 12/22/09

16. Work Zones Driving Tips Slow down Follow the signs Be alert
Orange signs of work zones Enter with extra concentration, caution, and common sense.
Driving Tips
Slow down
Follow the signs
Be alert
Remain calm
Give trucks space They need more room to stop and change lanes.
Double border images From:
Single boarder images from:
Icon “pavement ends” image from:
Retrieved: 12/30/09
REMEMBER: Speed limit applies regardless of the presence of workers and fines are doubled.

17. Several shapes and colors
Guide Signs
Several shapes and colors
Destination and Mileage
Route Markers
Roadside Services
Recreational Areas
Images from:
New York Mileage image from:
Quincy image from:
Nevada Route image from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09

18. Route Signs Interstate signs blue and red Three-figure route numbers
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
Images from:
80 image from:
595 image from:
215 image from:
Retrived: 12/22/09

19. 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
Images from: International Road Signs Leaflet, 2008 edition - Ait-FIA Information Centre (OTA)
Retrieved: 12/23/09

20. Stop for People Crossing
International Signs
See Worksheet
Think:
Red = restriction or warnings
Blue = guidance
Yellow = caution
Green = information 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Malaysia
Obstruction
Ahead
S. Africa
No Stopping
Poland
Tunnel Ahead
Germany
Bus Stop
Mexico
Inspection Area
China
Keep Your
Distance
Images from: International Road Signs Leaflet, 2008 edition - Ait-FIA Information Centre (OTA)
Retrieved: 12/23/09
Switzerland
Passing Place
Australia
Pedestrians may
Cross Diagonally
New Zealand
Stop for People Crossing
Canada
Sharp Turn

21. Did You Know
Final Thoughts
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 - for nearly 30 years.
By 1954, a durable fade-resistant red coatings changed the STOP sign to the red color we see today.
Images from:
Retrieved: 12/21/09