WARNING SIGNS
At risk of sounding dramatic, it’s safe to state that the humble warning sign saves the lives of road users on a daily basis. Without them, big trucks would become wedged in small tunnels, livestock and large wildlife would end up causing chaos on open roads and unsuspecting road users could find themselves flattened by landslides or worse, t-boned by a train.
Usually triangular in shape with a red border, white background and information displayed in black, these signs are placed on or next to the road to alert road users in a timely manner of potentially dangerous conditions ahead.
There are 3 subcategories that fall under warning signs. These are:
- Road layout signs:
These signs offer warning of the layout of the road ahead allowing you to approach with caution, analyse the situation and be able to stop if cross-traffic does not yield. Crossroads, junctions, and the beginning and ending of dual roadways are just a few examples of the road layout signs you’re likely to encounter.
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- Direction of movement signs:
These signs aim to warn and inform the road user of changes to the way traffic is moving on the road ahead. Traffic circles, gentle and sharp curves, hairpin bends, two-way traffic and lane endings are some of the direction of movement signs you will come across.
- Symbolic signs:
This is the biggest subcategory and carries a wealth of warning signs that save countless lives on a daily basis. In most instances, symbolic signs warn you to slow down and be on the lookout for a further sign of action ahead that you may not otherwise see in a timely manner. A few examples of symbolic signs include traffic signals ahead, stop street ahead, pedestrian crossing ahead, along with signs more common in rural areas such as domestic or wild animals¸ falling rocks, or uneven roadway. And let us not forget the all-important, rectangular danger plate and chevrons that we all rely upon daily.
Last, and by no means least…
- Combination signs:
A combination sign warns of the danger ahead and then recommends a speed of distance one should employ in order to be able to safely navigate the situation. Anyone who has traveled on a freeway frequented by large transport vehicles will be familiar with the steep descent for a distance sign. Above is the triangular warning sign with an image of a truck on a steep descent and beneath, on a smaller rectangular sign, the distance of said descent.