COMMON ROAD SIGNS AND THEIR MEANINGS

lekspot (11)in #wafrica • 8 years ago

Road signs are placed on roads to point out directions to motorists; some are placed there to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians; some are there to give us an idea of what to expect ahead of us, etc.
Traffic signs or road signs are signs erected at the side of or above roads to give instructions or provide information to road users

Technically, road signs are traffic languages. They communicate specific messages to motorists and pedestrians.

Every motorists – and in some cases, pedestrians – are expected to have an understanding of what these signs represents.

It is because of this that the teaching of road traffic signs and their meanings are an essential topic taught at driving schools. Unfortunately, most motorists in Nigeria did not pass through formal driving schools.

Road signs are typically represented as symbols or annotations.Nowadays in the world there is an enormous lack of understanding of what these symbols used in road signs represent by most of our road users.

            The signs and what they represents

```
             PED XING
```

This sign is one of the most confusing road signs that motorists come across. However, it is better understood when represented in its pictorial form. It actually means, “Pedestrian crossing”. This sign is often placed ahead of or near zebra crossings.

```
       DO NOT ENTER/NO ENTRY
```

This signs is used to indicate that there is no entry for vehicular traffic. It is placed at the exit of some roads to inform motorist that they cannot drive into that road. It is often used at intersections to roads with one-way traffic..

```
               NO STOPPING 
```

A ‘No Stopping’ sign instructs motorists to keep moving and must not stop at any time, not for a minute, not for a second, not for a jiffy, on the road or in an area to which the ‘No Stopping’ sign applies.

```
                  NO WAITING
```

Just like the “No Stopping” sign, this sign is placed along roads or streets to instruct drivers to keep driving or keep their vehicles in motion and not to stop. The difference is that, this signs allows a motorist to stop – to drop off or pick up a passenger, etc. Staying longer than necessary can be viewed as “waiting” or violation of the No Waiting instruction..

```
     Turn On Red
```

This sign is placed at intersections where there are traffic lights. This sign generally permits vehicles to make a right turn even when the traffic light is on red. In other words, this sign gives permission to vehicles to turn into the next junction on the right nearer to them, even when the traffic light is showing a red signal and without having to wait for a green signal..

Sharp Deviation sign

The chevron sign is positioned to warn motorists of a suden change in traffic direction. That is, they are positioned at places where traffic makes a sudden change in its course or direction , such as bends in the road or at round about. The chevron pattern pointing in the direction that traffic has to turn..

```
       NO OVERTAKEN 
```

This sign is typically placed on two-way roads that are too narrow or are too risky for vehicles to attempt to overtake vehicles ahead of them. They are also placed at bends, dips in the road or where there are trees..

```
           Lane Merge Left
```

This signs warns motorist that the lane that they are on narrows as they drive ahead. and such narrow end merges with a parallel lane to the left..

```
      Narrow Bridge Ahead
```

This sign is placed ahead of a location where there is a narrow bridge. This sign is intended to get motorists to reduce their speed and drive cautiously as they approach the bridge..

```
 KEEP RIGHT OR LEFT 
```

This sign instructs motorists to keep to the right side of a two-way road. Driving into the left side of the road is a violation of this traffic instruction.depending on where the arrow
Is pointing at.

```
  Dangerous Turn Right/Left
```

This signs warns motorists that the road ahead is about to turn sharply in the direction of the arrow, in this case, to the right..

Pass Either Way

The sign informs motorists that they can pass either side of a diving road to reach the same destination or different directions..

```
Bumps Ahead
```

This sign is used to warn motorists that there is a bump ahead or an uneven road surface on the road. This warning is intended to get motorists to reduce their speeds at certain points..

The Traffic light
Traffic lights usually change in this order: Red light on: This tells drivers to stop. Green light on: This means the driver can start driving or keep driving. Yellow light on: This tells drivers to stop when it is safe to, because the light is about to turn red.