Road Signs and markings

A quick look at the Highway code tells you that there are a bewildering number of road signs and markings in this country. It has several pages of the most common signs. That is just the most common signs.

The prospect of learning the road signs is enough to scare even the most enthusiastic of learners. There are so many signs that you can not learn them all. You don't have to learn every road sign and marking.

If you understand the basic principles of road signs, you do not need to know every single sign. You will understand the the sign says without having to think about it. You will need to learn about 20 road signs. This article is a series of brief notes about road signs and markings.

Why do we have road signs?

Imagine if you will this situation. You are driving in a new town. You do not know the way, and there is nobody to ask. How are you going to find your way around. The answer is obvious. You will use the road signs. These road signs also tell you about the road ahead. If you have a sign for a pedestrian crossing you know you need to look out for pedestrians. Signs also tell you what the law expects you to do. They tell you the speed limit.

Warning Signs

Warning signs tell you that there is a problem ahead. They cost the council a lot of money to put up - around £500 for a small sign. They would not spend that kind of money umless they had to. So, you should start to deal with the problem as soon as you see the sign.

A warning sign will be a red triangle with information inside the triangle. The information may be words or a picture. The picture says what the hazard is.

Chevron markings tell you that there is a bend ahead. They do not tell you how bad the bend is.

If you see a sign with a ! in the triangle, you must look at the word underneath. That tells you what the problem is. Signs That Give Instructions

Signs that give instructions are nearly always circular. Look at the colour and the information in the circle. The information is your instruction.

Signs in rec circles say don't....

Signs in a blue circle tell you to...

Look at the information in the circle- this is your instruction.

Some instruction signs do not fit this pattern. Find out what the these signs look like: Give way, Stop. Speed limits and clearways. Using the signs

If you see a circular sign in the distance, you know that it will contain an instruction. As you get closer, you will see the colour of the circle. Is it red or blue? As you get nearer, you will see the information in the picture. Direction Signs

It is important to pay attention to direction signs. They help you decide which road to take. It can help you navigate, around a strange town, if you know which signs are direction signs.

The background colour helps you to tell that the sign is a direction sign.

Direction Signs on Motorways are blue.

Direction signs on A class roads and major roads have a green background.

On other roads they are on a white sign with black writing Traffic Lights

Traffic lights come in four forms: Those that control the lights; those that control pelican crossings; those that control puffin crossings and pedestrian controlled lights.

Different lights do different jobs. They all give the same information in the same order.

Red - stop Amber - get ready to stop Green - go Red and amber - get ready to go Road Markings

There are 19 road markings to learn. Sorry! Solid line along the road - don't cross and don't park Broken line along the road - Stopping and parking with caution. The more paint you see the worse the hazard ahead

The prospect of learning the road signs is enough to scare even the most enthusiastic of learners. There are so many signs that it is hard to know them all. If you understand the basic principles of road signs, you do not need to know every single sign. You will need to learn about 20 road signs. This article is a series of brief notes about road signs and markings.

Information about the Author:

Drive Dynamics is a progresive and skilled national driving school. Its Hull Driving Instructor team care about safe driving. The driving school offer amazing driving lessons at reasonable prices. www.drivedynamicshull.com

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