Warning sign

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A traffic warning sign is a type of traffic sign that indicates a hazard ahead on the road.

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 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.

Sample Shapes and Colors

Diamond shaped with yellow background

Circular with yellow background

Rectangular shape with yellow background

Triangular with orange-yellow background

Triangular with yellow background

Triangular with white background

Contents 1 History 2 Warning signs 2.1 General caution 2.2 Obstacles 2.3 Animals crossing the roadway 2.4 Odd vehicles crossing the roadway 2.5 Road works or construction 2.6 Curves and corners 2.7 Chevron arrows 2.8 Tunnels 2.9 Bridges 2.10 Traffic signals 2.11 Warning signs for regulatory signs 2.12 Level crossings and intersections 2.13 Lane starts and ends 2.14 No passing zones 2.15 Pedestrian crossings 2.16 Schools 2.17 Other signs with unprotected people 2.18 Fire stations 2.19 Oncoming traffic 2.20 Level crossing/Railway crossing 2.21 Falling rocks 2.22 Other warnings 2.23 Road conditions 2.24 Side winds 2.25 Slow down 2.26 Merge to stay with through traffic 2.27 ☡ 3 Warning signs with lights 4 Evacuation routes 5 Warning signs at other sites 6 See also 7 Notes

[edit] History

Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

In 1908 the automobile association in West London set the first warning signs.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 a auxiliary signs may also be used.

Germany caution sign.

Sweden caution sign.

Poland caution sign.

[edit] 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.

U.S. divided highway ahead sign.

[edit] 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.

Japan animals crossing sign.	Italy wild animal crossing sign.	U.K. wild fowl warning sign.	Norway reindeer crossing sign.
Kangaroo crossing sign in Australia.	Frill-necked Lizard crossing sign in Australia.	Camel warning sign in the UAE	Ducks Crossing warning sign in Australia

[edit] Odd vehicles crossing the roadway

Also equipment (tractors, forklifts, snowmobiles, etc) crossing or traveling along the road.

[edit] Road works or construction

These signs are often temporary in nature and used to iIndicate 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.

Republic of Ireland road works sign.	Austria road works sign.	Italy construction sign.	Norway road works sign.	Sweden copied other european countries when Sweden had left side traffic, but it should have been mirror imaged. They mirrored it and many other signs when changing to right side traffic in 1967, making it falsely mirror imaged.	France construction sign.
Poland construction sign.	U.K.loose chippings warning sign.	Netherlands loose chippings warning sign.	Poland loose chippings sign.

[edit] 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.

Republic of Ireland dangerous corner	Republic of Ireland dangerous bend sign.	Austria dangerous left curve sign.	Sweden dangerous curve to the left sign.	Poland dangerous curve to left sign.	Republic of Ireland series of dangerous corners
Italy double curve sign, first curve starting to the left.	Poland double curve to left sign.	Republic of Ireland series of dangerous bends	Republic of Ireland junction at corner	Republic of Ireland junction at a bend

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

Swedish tunnel ahead sign.

Norway tunnel sign.

Czech tunnel sign.

Singapore tunnel ahead sign.

Taiwan tunnel warning sign.

German tunnel sign.

Poland tunnel sign.

[edit] 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.

U.S. narrow bridge ahead sign (alternative).

Italy draw bridge ahead sign.

Republic of Ireland bridge height sign.

Singapore height prohibition ahead sign.

[edit] 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.

U.S. traffic signal ahead.

U.S. traffic signal ahead (alternative).

Singapore traffic signals ahead sign.

Italy traffic signal ahead sign.

Austria traffic signal ahead sign.

Australian traffic signal ahead sign

[edit] 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.

U.S. stop sign ahead.

U.S. stop sign ahead (alternative).

Singapore stop ahead sign.

U.S. yield sign ahead (alternative).

Singapore give way ahead sign.

[edit] 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).

Japan crossroads sign.	Republic of Ireland crossroads with a major road sign.	Singapore crossroads sign.	Italy crossroads with right-of-way from the right sign.	Republic of Ireland junction with a minor side-road sign.	Italy junction with a minor side-road sign.
Swedish intersection with minor side-road sign.	Italy junction with a minor cross road sign.	Republic of Ireland staggered crossroads with roads of equal importance sign.	Republic of Ireland junction at corner with a minor road sign.	Republic of Ireland junction with dual-carriageway sign.

Roundabouts/Rotarys

U.S. circular intersection ahead sign.	Republic of Ireland roundabout ahead sign.	Italy roundabout ahead sign.	Norway roundabout sign.	Roundabout sign in Australia	Singapore roundabout ahead sign.
Finland roundabout sign.

[edit] 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.

Canadian right lane ends sign.	Japan lane decrease sign.	Italy road narrows from the left sign.	U.S. Dead End sign
U.S. divided highway begins sign.	British, Hong Kong & Singapore "end of dual carriageway" sign

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.^[1]

U.S. pedestrian crossing sign

Netherlands pedestrian crossing sign

Poland pedestrian crossing sign

Sweden pedestrian crossing sign

[edit] 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.

U.S. school sign.

Singapore school zone sign.

Republic of Ireland children crossing sign.

Norway children crossing sign.

Poland children crossing sign.

[edit] Other signs with unprotected people

Norway skiiers crossing sign.

Poland bicycle crossing warning sign.

[edit] Fire stations

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.

[edit] 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.

U.S. two-way traffic sign.

Republic of Ireland two-way traffic sign.

Italy two-way traffic sign.

Sweden two-way traffic sign.

Poland two-way traffic sign.

[edit] Level crossing/Railway crossing

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 a 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.

Crossing with Gate

Republic of Ireland level crossing with gates sign.

Italy rail crossing with gates sign.

Sweden crossing with gate sign.

Unguarded Crossing

Republic of Ireland unguarded level crossing sign.

Italy rail crossing without safety arm.

Sweden unguarded crossing sign.

Other Crossings

U.S. railroad crossing sign (general).

Republic of Ireland automatic level crossing sign.

Finland tram crossing sign.

Warning at Crossing

Norway signal track level crossing sign.

Netherlands track level crossing sign.

[edit] 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".

British & Hong Kong "falling rocks" warning sign.

Norway falling rocks sign.

Japanese "falling rocks" sign.

[edit] 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.

Norway low flying aircraft sign.

[edit] 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."

Slippery Pavement

U.S. slippery when wet sign.	German slippery pavement sign.	Swedish slippery pavement sign.	Poland sippery pavement sign.
Slippery Road Surface sign used in Australia and New Zealand

Steep Grade

U.S. steep grade sign.

Japan steep descent sign.

Austria steep grade sign.

Netherlands 10% grade sign.

France 10% down grade sign.

Norway steep grade sign.

Poland steep grade sign.

Bumpy Road

Republic of Ireland bumpy road sign.

Japan bumpy road sign.

Other

Poland icy or snow covered roads sign.

[edit] 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.

Japan cross winds sign.

U.K. side winds likely ahead warning sign.

Sweden side winds warning sign.

Norway cross winds sign.

Poland side winds sign.

[edit] Slow down

General caution signs warning motorists to slow down are sometimes used at least in U.S. and China.

[edit] 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.

Japan join sign.

Italy merge from right sign.

"Thru traffic merge left" sign in Los Angeles.

[edit] ☡

The Unicode character ☡ (U+2621) means "Caution sign". It is in the Miscellaneous Symbols plane.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

• Hazard symbol

[edit] Notes

v • d • e Traffic Signs Signs Warning sign • Regulatory sign • Priority to the right • Yield sign • Stop sign • Prohibitory traffic sign • One-way traffic • Speed limit • Advisory speed limit • Mandatory sign • Special regulation sign • Informative sign • Information, facilities, or service sign • Direction, position, or indication sign • Additional panels By country Iceland • Ireland • Malaysia • Norway • Singapore • Sweden • United Kingdom (Scotland) Lights Traffic light • Variable-message sign Typefaces Clearview • DIN 1451 • FHWA Series • Frutiger • NPS Rawlinson Roadway • Trafikkalfabetet • Transport • Tratex Conventions Vienna Convention on Road Traffic • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals • Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices