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Warning sign
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A traffic warning sign is a type of traffic sign that indicates a hazard ahead on the road that may not be readily apparent to a driver.
In most countries, they usually take the shape of an equilateral triangle with a white background and a thick red border. However, there are color of the background and the color and thickness of the border varies from country to country.
In the People's Republic of China, warning signs appear with a black border and a yellow background.
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Encyclopedia
A traffic warning sign is a type of traffic sign that indicates a hazard ahead on the road that may not be readily apparent to a driver.
In most countries, they usually take the shape of an equilateral triangle with a white background and a thick red border. However, there are color of the background and the color and thickness of the border varies from country to country.
In the People's Republic of China, warning signs appear with a black border and a yellow background. In Sweden, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Finland, Iceland, the Republic of Macedonia and Poland, they have a red border with an amber background. This is due to the weather, as it is easier to see a red/amber sign in the snowy weather than a red/white sign. The polar bear warning sign in Svalbard recently changed from displaying a black bear on white background to a white bear on black background (both signs are triangular with a red border). Some countries that normally use a white background have adopted an orange or amber background for road work or construction signs.
Warning signs in some countries have a diamond shape in place of the standard triangular shape. In the United States, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Philippines, and Malaysia warning signs are black on a yellow background and usually diamond-shaped, while temporary signs (which are typically construction signs) are black on an orange background. Ireland also adopted these standards, diverging from the standards of the rest of Europe. Some other countries also use these standards for some signage.
Image:Signmedian.svg|Diamond shaped with yellow background
Image:Highway-Rail_Grade_Crossing_Advance_Warning_sign.svg|Circular with yellow background
Image:Advisory_Curve_Speed_English_25.svg|Rectangular shape with yellow background
Image:1 1 54.svg|Triangular with orange-yellow background
Image:Znak A-30.svg|Triangular with yellow background
Image:Zeichen 101.svg|Triangular with white background
History
In 1908 the automobile association in West London set the first warning signs.
Warning signs
Warning signs can indicate any potential hazard, obstacle or condition requiring special attention. Some of the most common warning signs are the following.
General caution
A general warning signs are used in instances in which the particular hazard, obstacle or condition is not covered by a standard sign. They usually comprise an exclamation mark on the standard triangular sign with an auxiliary sign below in the local language identifying the hazard, obstacle or condition. In countries using diamond-shaped signs, the explanatory language is written directly on the diamond-shaped sign, although it may contain only a general warning such as "Caution", and an auxiliary signs may also be used.
Image:Zeichen 101.svg|Germany caution sign.
Image:1 1 54.svg|Sweden caution sign.
Image:Znak A-30.svg|Poland caution sign.
Obstacles
Diamond-shaped with reflectors are placed at point of curbs, dividers, or other lane obstacles. Rectangular signs with diagonal stripes indicate solid objects such as barricades, bridge abutments, utility poles or natural obstacles near the roadway. Left side obstacles are marked with stripes running high to low, left to right; right side obstacle signs use stripes running high to low, right to left; in a sense akin to International symbol of arrow pointing down toward side toward roadway.
Image:signmedian.svg|U.S. divided highway ahead sign.
Animals crossing the roadway
Signs may warn of wild animals (moose, bear, elk, deer, reindeer, polar bears, camels, wallabies, kangaroos, alligators, etc.) or farm animals (cows, horses, ducks, sheep) that may stray onto the road. In the United States, a SHARE THE ROAD plaque is sometimes placed below these warning signs when used in this manner.
Image:Japanese Road sign (Animals crossing).svg|Japan animals crossing/US deer crossing sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - animali selvatici vaganti.svg|Italy and Latvia wild animal crossing sign.
Image:UK road traffic warning sign for wild fowl.png|U.K. wild fowl warning sign.
Image:Fareskilt 34.PNG|Norway reindeer crossing sign.
Image:Kangaroo_sign_in_australia.jpg|Kangaroo crossing sign in Australia.
Image:Frill-neck lizard road sign.jpg|Frill-necked Lizard crossing sign in Australia.
Image:Camel_warning_sign_UAE.jpg|Camel warning sign in the UAE
Image:Ducks crossing sign.jpg|Ducks Crossing warning sign in Australia
Image:Sheep sign.jpg|A sheep warning sign in the U.K.
Image:Fareskilt_38.PNG|Polar bear crossing - "Applies to all Svalbard"
Image:Elephant crossing.jpg|Wild elephant zone - Surin, Thailand
Odd vehicles crossing the roadway
Also equipment (tractors, forklifts, snowmobiles, etc) crossing or traveling along the road.
Road works or construction
These signs are often temporary in nature and used to indicate road works (construction), poor roads, or temporary conditions ahead on the road including: flagmen, survey crew, single-lane, detour, bridge out, utility crew ahead, blasting area, bump, dip, frost heaves, flooding (or "High water"), soft shoulder, uneven pavement, freshly oiled road, loose gravel, smoke on road, trucks entering, etc.(note that some high water signs are posted to alert drivers of a flood prone area and don't actually mean that there is a flooded section of road ahead) In France, Italy, Spain, Norway etc, warning (and speed limit) signs connected with road works have yellow background, these countries normally have white background on signs.
Image:Diamond road sign roadworks 1956.png|Republic of Ireland road works sign.
Image:Gefahrenzeichen 9.svg|Austria road works sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - lavori.svg|Italy construction sign.
Image:Fareskilt 14.PNG|Norway road works sign.
Image:1 1 11.svg|Swedish road works sign.
Image:AK5.svg|France construction sign.
Image:Znak A-14.svg|Poland construction sign.
Image:UK road traffic warning sign loose chippings.png|U.K.loose chippings warning sign.
Image:Nederlands verkeersbord J25.svg|Netherlands loose chippings warning sign.
Image:Znak A-28.svg|Poland loose chippings sign.
Curves and corners
These signs indicate that ahead are dangerous or unexpected bends in the road, some being continuous, others being sharp-ended. Signs may indicate whether the curves are to the right or to the left and whether the degree to which the curves or bends are sharp. They mays also indicate a series of curves or bends ahead.
Image:Diamond road sign dangerous corner.svg|Republic of Ireland/US dangerous corner
Image:Diamond road sign dangerous bend.svg|Republic of Ireland/US dangerous bend sign.
Image:Gefahrenzeichen 2b.svg|Austria dangerous left curve sign.
Image:1 1 1 2.svg|Sweden dangerous curve to the left sign.
Image:Znak A-2.svg|Poland dangerous curve to left sign.
Image:Diamond road sign dangerous corners.svg|Republic of Ireland series of dangerous corners
Image:Italian traffic signs - doppia curva sx.svg|Italy and Latvia double curve sign, first curve starting to the left.
Image:Znak A-4.svg|Poland double curve to left sign.
Image:Diamond road sign dangerous bends.svg|Republic of Ireland/US series of dangerous bends (winding road)
Image:Diamond road sign junction corner minor road.svg|Republic of Ireland junction at corner
Image:Diamond road sign junction bend minor road.svg|Republic of Ireland junction at a bend
Chevron arrows
Chevron shaped arrows on rectangular signs may be placed at the actual location of the bend or curve to further mark the location of the curve and to assist in negotiation of the curve. They may also be used to indicate "merge" with other traffic, as for an on-ramp of a limited-access highway.
Tunnels
The signs are used to indicate tunnels, where lights are usually required, and a general change in the light level. May also indicate low ceiling clearance. Truck drivers should also watch for prohibited cargo signs (e.g., Hazmat, propane, explosives) upon approach to tunnels.
Image:1 1 53.svg|Swedish tunnel ahead sign.
Image:Fareskilt_44.PNG|Norway tunnel sign.
Image:CZ-A21 Pozor - tunel.jpg|Czech tunnel sign.
Image:Tunnel sing.jpg|Singapore tunnel ahead sign.
Image:TW-Art048.png|Taiwan tunnel warning sign.
Image:Zeichen 327.svg|German tunnel sign.
Image:D37.svg|Polish tunnel sign.
Bridges
These signs are used where traffic may be constricted to a narrow bridge, or where the bridge may have a movable span closed to vehicles while boats pass (e.g., drawbridge or floating bridge). They may also be used for underpass to indicate low overhead clearance.
Image:Narrow Bridge sign.svg|U.S. narrow bridge ahead sign (alternative).
Image:Italian traffic signs - ponte mobile.svg|Italy draw bridge ahead sign. In Latvia, the bridge on the sign is without the rails.
Image:Diamond road sign bridge height.svg|Republic of Ireland bridge height sign. (note: sign now obsolete as units shown are now metric or metric/imperial)
Image:Heightlimitahead sing.png|Singapore height prohibition ahead sign.
Traffic signals
These warning signs indicate that traffic lights are ahead, and are often used when it is difficult to see that a traffic light may already be showing red, to warn a driver to prepare to slow down. They may be supplemented with flashing light or lighted sign when light is red or turning red.
Image:Signal Ahead symbol sign.svg|U.S. traffic signal ahead.
Image:Signal Ahead sign.svg|U.S. traffic signal ahead (alternative).
Image:trafficsignals.jpg|Singapore and Hong Kong traffic signals ahead sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - semaforo verticale.svg|Italy traffic signal ahead sign. In Latvia, the color dots are without the black borders.
Image:Gefahrenzeichen 15.svg|Austria traffic signal ahead sign.
Image:Australian traffic lights ahead sign.png|Australian traffic signal ahead sign
Warning signs for regulatory signs
As for traffic signals, above, some "stop" or "yield" signs may require additional warning or reminder, especially in dense areas or where the sign has been added recently.
Image:Signstopahead.svg|U.S. stop sign ahead.
Image:Stop Ahead sign.svg|U.S. stop sign ahead (alternative).
Image:Stopahead sing.png|Singapore stop ahead sign.
Image:Yield Ahead sign.svg|U.S. yield sign ahead (alternative).
Image:Distancetogiveway sing.png|Singapore give way ahead sign.
Level crossings and intersections
These signs warn of road crossings at even level (crossroads, T-intersection, forks (Y-intersection), rotary/roundabout). They may also indicate "hidden driveway" intersecting the road ahead. (Compare with bridges/overpasses/viaducts).
Image:Japanese Road sign (Crossroads).svg|Japan crossroads sign.
Image:Diamond road sign junction across major road.svg|Republic of Ireland crossroads with a major road sign.
Image:Crossrds.jpg|Singapore crossroads sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - intersezione con precedenza a destra.svg|Italy and Latvia crossroads with right-of-way from the right sign.
Image:Diamond road sign junction minor road.svg|Republic of Ireland junction with a minor side-road sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - intersezione a T con diritto di precedenza sx.svg|Italy and Latvia junction with a minor side-road sign.
Image:1 1 2210.svg|Swedish intersection with minor side-road sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - intersezione con diritto di precedenza.svg|Italy and Latvia junction with a minor cross road sign.
Image:Diamond road sign staggered junction equal roads.svg|Republic of Ireland staggered crossroads with roads of equal importance sign.
Image:Diamond road sign junction corner minor road.svg|Republic of Ireland junction at corner with a minor road sign.
Image:Diamond road sign junction dual carriageway.svg|Republic of Ireland junction with dual-carriageway sign.
Image:Circular Intersection sign.png|U.S. circular intersection ahead sign.
Image:Diamond road sign roundabout.svg|Republic of Ireland roundabout ahead sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - circolazione rotatoria.svg|Italy and Latvia roundabout ahead sign.
Image:Give way sign at roundabout (Australia).svg|Roundabout sign in Australia
Image:Roundabt.jpg|Singapore roundabout ahead sign.
Image:Liikenneympyrä 166.svg|Finland roundabout sign.
Lane starts and ends
They signs indicates when a multilane highway is being narrowed, when a passing lane is ending, or where the road is widening or a passing lane starting. Another type of sign is used to indicate central "two-way" left turning lane in center of roadway. Warning signs may also warn of "Highway ends", where the road changes class or type. Also used for "dead end", "not a through street" or "no outlet" roadways.
Image:Right lane ends.svg|Canadian right lane ends sign.
Image:Japanese Road sign (Lane decrease).svg|Japan lane decrease sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - strettoia asimmetrica a destra.svg|Italy and Latvia road narrows from the right sign.
Image:Dead End sign.svg|U.S. Dead End sign
Image:Signmedian.svg|U.S. divided highway begins sign.
Image:UK road traffic warning sign dual carriageway end.png|British, Hong Kong & Singapore "end of dual carriageway" sign
No passing zones
Vertical yellow signs in triangular shape are used in U.S. to supplement solid yellow lane stripe where it is dangerous to overtake another vehicle, especially where roadway may be obscured by snow or other precipitation.
Pedestrian crossings
The signs are used to warn drivers of people walking in the street. They may also be used to warn of children playing, playgrounds, bicycle area, deaf child, blind pedestrians, and thickly settled zones where pedestrians may enter the road.
In California, United States near the Mexican border, there are warning signs showing a running family. This is to warn motorists to look out for illegal immigrants who try to escape authorities by running through freeway traffic. The symbol was created by California Department of Transportation employee John Hood in the late 1980s.
Image:US crosswalk sign.svg|U.S. pedestrian crossing sign
Image:Nederlands verkeersbord J22.svg|Netherlands pedestrian crossing sign
Image:Znak A-16.svg|Poland pedestrian crossing sign
Image:1 1 40.svg|Sweden pedestrian crossing sign
Schools
The signs mark school zones (in which lower speed limits may be in place), student crossings, crossing guards or signals ahead. In the U.S. and Canada, pentagon shaped signs are used in place of the usual diamond-shaped signs. The shape of the U.S. school zone resembles a one-room school house and is the only sign shaped this way.
Image:School sign US.svg|U.S. school sign.
Image:Schlzone.jpg|Singapore school zone sign.
Image:Diamond road sign children crossing.png|Republic of Ireland children crossing sign.
Image:Fareskilt 31.PNG|Norway children crossing sign.
Image:Znak A-17.svg|Poland children crossing sign.
Other signs with unprotected people
Image:Fareskilt 39.PNG|Norway skiiers crossing sign.
Image:1 1 45.svg|Sweden skiiers crossing sign.
Image:Znak A-24.svg|Poland bicycle crossing warning sign.
These signs warn of approach to where firefighters may be entering the road with fire engines or other emergency apparatus, where other drivers will have to stop and wait until they pass.
Image:Firetrucksign.svg
Oncoming traffic
The signs may be used to warn people of oncoming traffic; shown when a motorway becomes a dual carriageway or a normal road without a central reservation or median.
Image:Sign2way.svg|U.S. two-way traffic sign.
Image:Diamond road sign two-way traffic lanes.svg|Republic of Ireland two-way traffic sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - doppio senso.svg|Italy and Latvia two-way traffic sign.
Image:1 1 52.svg|Sweden two-way traffic sign.
Image:Znak A-20.svg|Poland two-way traffic sign.
These signs are used to warn of level crossings ahead. In most countries a red triangle warning sign is used, with various pictograms for unguarded crossings, crossings with manual gates, and automatic level crossings. In most of Europe an old style gate is used for a crossing with gates, and a steam locomotive for a crossing without gates. Similar pictograms are also used in Ireland albeit on an amber diamond sign. In the United States the warning of all types of railway crossings is made using a circular yellow sign. The actual crossing is also marked with crossed "Railroad Crossing" crossbuck signs (Stop, look, listen) and possibly lights, bells, and barriers.
Image:Diamond road sign guarded crossing.svg|Republic of Ireland level crossing with gates sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - passaggio a livello con barriere.svg|Italy rail crossing with gates sign.
Image:1 1 30.svg|Sweden crossing with gate sign.
Image:Diamond road sign unguarded crossing.svg|Republic of Ireland unguarded level crossing sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - passaggio a livello senza barriere.svg|Italy rail crossing without safety arm.
Image:1 1 31.svg|Sweden unguarded crossing sign.
Image:Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Advance Warning sign.svg|U.S. railroad crossing sign (general).
Image:Diamond road sign automatic crossing.svg|Republic of Ireland automatic level crossing sign.
Image:Raitiotie 167.svg|Finland tram crossing sign.
Image:Fareskilt 28b.PNG|Norway signal track level crossing sign.
Image:Nederlands verkeersbord J12.svg|Netherlands track level crossing sign.
Falling rocks
These signs may be used to indicate the hazards of fallen or falling rocks on the road ahead. They are usually pictographs, but may also include wording, such as "fallen rock", "falling rock", or "rock slide". In Italy the words may be "caduta sassi" or "caduta massi"; in France "chûte de pierres"; in Mexico "derrumbes".
Image:UK road traffic warning sign falling rocks.png|British & Hong Kong "falling rocks" warning sign.
Image:Fareskilt 16.PNG|Norway falling rocks sign.
Image:Japanese Road sign (Falling rocks).svg|Japanese "falling rocks" sign.
Other warnings
For example, a warning sign with the image of an aircraft in the middle of it indicates an airport or airfield, where drivers should be prepared for low-flying aircraft.
Image:Fareskilt 41.PNG|Norway low flying aircraft sign
Road conditions
"Slippery when wet", "grooved pavement" (warning to motorcyclists and bicyclists), "Open joints on bridge", "Icy Road", "Bridge freezes before roadway" and variants thereof, and "bump" or "dip" ahead (not related to construction). Truck drivers will need to pay attention to "Steep grade" warnings (or "Down grade, use lower gear"), sometimes posted with the percent grade (e.g., 5 percent). Steep hills may also feature "Runaway truck escape" or "Emergency stop" areas with corresponding signs. The UK has a sign warning of "Adverse camber" on a curve. Also "Loose gravel", "Soft shoulder", "Speed hump", and "Watch for Ice."
Image:Slippery_Road_Sign.svg|U.S. slippery when wet sign.
Image:Zeichen 114.svg|German slippery pavement sign.
Image:1 1 12.svg|Swedish slippery pavement sign.
Image:Znak A-15.svg|Poland sippery pavement sign.
Image:Australian Slippery Road Surface sign.png|Slippery Road Surface sign used in Australia and New Zealand
Image:Signgrade.svg|U.S. steep grade sign.
Image:Japanese Road sign (Descent).svg|Japan steep descent sign.
Image:Gefahrenzeichen 7.svg|Austria steep grade sign.
Image:Nederlands verkeersbord J7.svg|Netherlands 10% grade sign.
Image:A16.svg|France 10% down grade sign.
Image:Fareskilt 06.PNG|Norway steep grade sign.
Image:Znak A-22.svg|Poland steep grade sign.
Image:Diamond road sign bumps dips.svg|Republic of Ireland bumpy road sign.
Image:Japanese Road sign (Bumpy road).svg|Japan bumpy road sign.
Image:Znak A-32.svg|Poland icy or snow covered roads sign.
Side winds
Flying socks, as indicated by a windsock on red triangle or yellow diamond signs, indicate locations where a strong side wind may cause the trajectory of the moving vehicle to change drastically, perhaps even "flying" across lanes, causing an accident.
Image:Japanese Road sign (Cross-wind).svg|Japan cross winds sign.
Image:UK road traffic warning sign side wind.png|U.K. side winds likely ahead warning sign.
Image:1 1 51 2.svg|Sweden side winds warning sign.
Image:Fareskilt 42.PNG|Norway cross winds sign.
Image:Znak A-19.svg|Poland side winds sign.
Slow down
General caution signs warning motorists to slow down are sometimes used at least in U.S. and China.
Merge to stay with through traffic
In the United States, there is special signage for lanes that are about to exit, so that drivers who wish to remain on the main road have adequate time to merge. Such lanes are sometimes indicated by special striping ("alligator stripes") and the sign, "Thru Traffic Merge Left" (or right). On freeways, the green directions sign for the exit ramp may have the additional notation, "Exit Only," and should have black letters on a yellow background for emphasis.
Image:Merge sign.svg|U.S. merge from right sign
Image:Japanese Road sign (Join).svg|Japan join sign.
Image:Italian traffic signs - confluenza dx.svg|Italy merge from right sign.
Image:Thrutrafficmergeleft.jpg|"Thru traffic merge left" sign in Los Angeles.
?
The Unicode character ? (U+2621) means "Caution sign". It is in the Miscellaneous Symbols plane.
Warning signs with lights
Some warning signs have flashing lights to alert drivers of conditions ahead or remind drivers to slow down. In Britain, they are called warning light.
Evacuation routes
Some areas have special evacuation route signs that are to be followed in case of certain disasters. The signs point to routes either to safety or to less danger.
Evacuation signs are common in areas where there is a high risk of dangers such as flash flooding, volcanic activity and lahar, tsunami, hurricane and storm surge.
Warning signs at other sites
Warning signs are also found on other potential dangerous sites. At the base of electricity pylons or fences of substations or radiotechnical equipment with open parts leading high voltage, there are always warning signs, warning of the high voltage. Other warning signs can be found at the top of inclines.
An also very common warning sign is a sign warning of feared dogs. The design of this sign can vary.
See also
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