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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.1 Traffic Signs 4.2 Six Basic Sign Shapes Every Driver Must Know

4.1 TRAFFIC SIGNS

Many collisions and near crashes occur as a result of drivers who ignore or fail to respond appropriately to traffic signs. It is essential that the meaning of traffic signs be interpreted correctly. Signs are classified according to their function - regulatory, warning and information. The easiest way to identify traffic signs is to learn to recognize their shapes and colours. For safe driving, you must recognize and obey traffic signs without hesitation. A sign-conscious driver is a safe driver. Keep a constant look-out for signs as you move your eyes in the field of view ahead of you.

4.2 SIX BASIC SIGN SHAPES EVERY DRIVER MUST KNOW

Stop The stop sign, a red octagon with white lettering, means come to a full stop and be sure the way is clear before proceeding.

Regulatory Regulatory signs are white rectangles or squares with black or other coloured lettering. These signs state the law, such as speed limits, parking regulations and turning and passing movements.

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.2 Six Basic Sign Shapes Every Driver Must Know
Yield Yield Right of Way signs are triangular and have a red border on a white background. A yield sign means you must reduce speed when approaching an intersection. Give right of way and stop if necessary if any other traffic is in, or closely approaching, the intersection. School Zone (New) The new school zone signs have a pentagon shape, with a fluorescent yellow-green background and show a black silhouette of a schoolboy and a schoolgirl.

School Zone (Old) The old school zone sign has a pentagon shape, but with a blue background and shows a white silhouette of a schoolboy and a schoolgirl. These signs are currently being replaced.

Warning Warning signs are diamond shaped and are yellow or orange with black letters or symbols. They warn of dangerous or unusual conditions ahead, such as a curve, turn, dip or side road.

Railway Crossing The crossbuck is the traditional symbol at roadway-railway crossings. Signs with a red reflective border on a white reflective background have replaced the older sign with "Railway Crossing" in black lettering.

School Zone Ahead When this sign has a "Maximum Speed" or "km/h During School Days" tab mounted underneath, it means the speed is to be observed as indicated.

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.3 Standard Sign Colours

4.4 Regulatory Signs

4.3 STANDARD SIGN COLOURS

Each colour has a particular meaning. Red Stop or prohibition

4.4 REGULATORY SIGNS

One-way street or highway

Two-way traffic Blue General information or service road information Green Indicates traffic movement such as turns which are permitted or directional guidance Yellow General warning danger/caution Fluorescent Yellow School zone and school crosswalk ahead signs White Regulatory Orange Construction and maintenance warning Brown Off road facilities/motorist services
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The maximum speed allowed under ideal conditions

Advance warning of a lower maximum speed zone ahead

Traffic Signs and Signals 4.4 Regulatory Signs

Do not enter

Passing Permitted

Passing Not Permitted

Keep to the right of traffic islands or obstruction

Heavy trucks should use this roadway

No heavy trucks are allowed on roadway

You must not turn your vehicle around in the roadway to travel in the opposite direction (no U-turn)

Dangerous goods route

Dangerous goods carriers prohibited

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.4 Regulatory Signs

4.5 Parking Signs

4.5 PARKING SIGNS

Truck inspection station Parking allowed as indicated Do not stop to wait

Truck inspection station exit Arrow indicates which side of road Parking prohibited as indicated Stopping prohibited as indicated

Weight limit of vehicle permitted on highway or bridge expressed in tonnes

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.6 Pedestrian Crossing Signs

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4.7 Lane Designation Signs

4.6 PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNS

4.7 LANE DESIGNATION SIGNS

These signs may be mounted above (or to the side of) the roadway. When mounted above, each sign is centred over the lane it controls.

Pedestrian crosswalk

School crosswalk

Pedestrian crosswalk

School crosswalk

Bus lane

Pedestrian crosswalk Traffic must stop when lights are flashing and proceed when safe

Bicycle lane
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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.7 Lane Designation Signs

This lane must turn left

This lane right or left

This lane must turn right

This lane left or through

This lane all movements

This lane right or through

Two turning lanes left / right

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This lane through only

Two-way left turn lane

Traffic Signs and Signals 4.8 Turn Control Signs

4.8 TURN CONTROL SIGNS

These signs may be accompanied by a tab that indicates the sign is only in effect during certain hours of the day.

No left turn

Turn right or left

Turn left only

No right turn

No turns

Turn right only

No right turn on red Wait for green light before making a right turn

Centre turning lane

CENTRE LANE ONLY

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.9 Warning Signs

4.9 WARNING SIGNS

Modern traffic signs use symbols instead of words. However, drivers must be familiar with both types of signs. Where applicable, both signs are shown. Sharp curve to the right ahead Divided Highway Ends Traffic signals ahead Be prepared to stop Highway divides ahead Keep to the right Section of roadway regularly crossed by deer

Maximum advised speed (Recommended safe speed)

Stop sign ahead

Road surface slippery when wet

Bump or rough road ahead

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.9 Warning Signs

Steep hill ahead Shift to lower gear or slow down if going down very steep hill

Road narrows Road ahead is not as wide as the road you are driving on

Curve to the right ahead

Narrow bridge ahead Width of pavement narrower than approach

Winding road ahead First curve right

Underpass ahead Overhead clearance as shown

Lane ends Right lane ends

Reverse curve ahead Two turns in opposite directions separated by a tangent of less than 120 m, first turn right

Concealed or hidden intersection ahead Road from right and / or left

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.9 Warning Signs

Checkerboard Road ends or very sharp turn

Pavement ends Continuation has gravel surface

Snowmobile crossing ahead

Two-way traffic ahead

School bus stop ahead Stop for bus with flashing lights

Cattle crossing ahead

Two lanes merge ahead Traffic entering from right

Surface subject to icing Bridge or roadway surface may be slippery at zero degrees Celsius, slow down

Warns of T intersection Road turns sharply right and left

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.9 Warning Signs

Obstruction Pass to either side

Pedestrian crosswalk or corridor ahead

Slow moving vehicle Mounted on the rear of vehicles that travel at speeds less than 40 km/h. It warns drivers approaching from behind to slow down

Railway ahead Road intersects with rail tracks ahead at angle depicted

School crosswalk ahead

Hazard close to the edge of the road The downward lines show the side on which you may safely pass

Playground ahead When this sign has a km/h tab mounted underneath, it means that this speed is to be observed

Chevron (arrowhead) Posted in groups to guide drivers around sharp curves in the road Warning sign on overdimension loads or on escort vehicles
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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.10 Construction Signs

4.10 CONSTRUCTION SIGNS Construction signs have black letters or symbols on an orange background.
Construction ahead This sign indicates you are entering a construction zone. Drive with extra caution and be prepared for changes in the speed limit Survey crew ahead The maximum speed is 60 km/h when passing crews or equipment engaged in work on the highways Traffic control person ahead Be prepared to stop for instructions

Road work ahead This sign marks the beginning of an ORANGE ZONE where speed limit is 60 km/h or less when passing highway workers

Truck entrance left/right The location at which trucks are entering, leaving or crossing

Pavement drop-off This sign warns motorists that they are on or approaching a section of roadway where either the adjacent lane or shoulder or both are lower or higher than the motorists travel lane

Be prepared to stop

Be prepared to stop if you are driving a vehicle with a high load

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.11 Railway Crossings

4.11 RAILWAY CROSSINGS Never Get Trapped on a Crossing

When traffic is heavy, wait on the approach to a crossing until you are sure you can clear it. When the last car of a train passes the crossing, do not start up until you are sure no train is coming on another track, especially from the other direction.

Never Drive Around Gates

If the gates are down, do not cross the tracks until the gates are raised. It is against the law to go around crossing gates.

Flashing Lights
You may cross the tracks, after stopping, while the red lights are flashing if it is safe to do so. However, if a train is closely approaching, or if a signal person signals you to stop, you must stop and wait until it is safe to proceed. Some railway crossings may have an advance flashing amber light and sign warning of a train ahead at a concealed crossing.

Never Race a Train

Racing a train to the crossing is foolhardy. You may lose.

Avoid Shifting Gears on a Crossing

If your vehicle has a manual transmission, shift down before the crossing.

Watch for Vehicles That Must Stop at Crossings

Be prepared to stop when you are following buses, school buses or large trucks that are required to stop. Flashing Lights Gate with Flashing Lights
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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.12 Crossroad Delineators

4.13 Guide Signs

4.12 CROSSROAD DELINEATORS

4.13 GUIDE SIGNS

Triangular reflective delineators can be found mounted on both sides of a sign post at many rural intersections controlled by stop or yield signs. They alert rural drivers to the fact they are approaching an intersection and indicate the classification of the road as follows: Three delineators all provincial and public highways; community access roads; grid roads; major streets Two delineators main farm access roads; improved all weather roads; intermediate urban streets One delineator all other minor rural roads and local urban streets
SA
S K AT C H E W A N

Trans Canada Highway

Provincial Highway

Municipal Grid Road

Airport Plane points direction to airport

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.14 Information Signs

4.14 INFORMATION SIGNS

Trailer facilities

Food

Swimming

Advance community sign with service tabs

Camping

Hospital

Golf course

Telephone

Picnic facilities

Accommodation

Police

Tourist attraction

Gasoline fuel Diesel fuel (D)

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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.15 Traffic Signals

4.15 TRAFFIC SIGNALS

When approaching an amber (yellow) light at an intersection, you must stop before entering the crosswalk. If you have already entered, or cannot stop safely, proceed with caution. When approaching a red light, you must stop and remain stopped until the light changes. If you are making a right turn at an intersection or a left turn at the intersection of two one-way streets, you may make the turn, but only after stopping and yielding the right of way to pedestrians and to any vehicles travelling through the intersection. Some intersections may have a sign prohibiting turns on red lights. When approaching a green light at an intersection, you may turn left, right or drive straight through the intersection unless a sign prohibits any of these movements. If you want to turn left you can enter the intersection on a green light, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. If traffic is heavy, you may be forced to complete your turn on an amber or red light.

You may not make a U-turn at any intersection where there are traffic lights unless there is a sign to indicate U-turns are permitted.
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Traffic Signs and Signals 4.15 Traffic Signals

When approaching a red light and a light with a green arrow, you may proceed in the direction of the arrow only after yielding the right of way to any other vehicles and pedestrians. When approaching a red or green light and a flashing green (left turn) arrow, you may proceed in the direction of the green arrow. After the left turn arrow, a yellow arrow may appear. This means the green light is about to appear for traffic in both directions. When approaching a flashing amber (yellow) light, you must proceed with caution. Flashing amber lights may warn you that traffic lights ahead are red or about to turn red. When approaching an amber light, you must yield the right of way to any pedestrians in the crosswalk or pedestrian corridor. When approaching a flashing red light you must stop, but you may then proceed when it is safe.

Pedestrians may not cross an intersection when they are facing a red light, a yellow light or a "dont walk" light or symbol. A flashing "dont walk" means pedestrians should finish crossing the street if they have already started.

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