IMPROV Online Traffic School
Chapter 3: Signs, Signals and Road Markings

Do you remember when you were a little boy or girl and you had those Hot Wheels® cars with the racetrack? Man, those things could fly! You would setup the Hot Wheels track with a little mini-town and a railroad station. The problem was, when you used more than one car at a time you would end up with one car on the road and one car off the road, or one car hitting the unfortunate people waiting for the train. After a while, like all kids, you just resorted to crashing the cars into each other.

Then you would get really creative, and start making the fastest Hot Wheels car go down the track from on top of the ironing board, and into the train. Boy, that was fun.

Now, imagine you are a City Planner, laying out a town, and you have hundreds of thousands of cars traveling through your town at rush hour. This is not a game. There has to be a detailed plan to control the flow of traffic on the road. Can you imagine millions of Hot Wheels cars on your track, and you being responsible for their safety?

Our Transportation System

Years of planning and research go into the design of a traffic control system. It takes real traffic geniuses to keep millions of cars moving safely on the road. So the next time you are angry because you are stopped at a red light or late for work, think of all the chaos that would be created if we didn't have all those red lights, stop signs, speed limits, and road markings. It might be exciting for a few minutes, like a giant Hot Wheels track, but when the crashes start with real lives at stake, it wouldn't be so much fun.

Our transportation system consists of many components: You and your vehicle, other drivers and their vehicles, other highway users; pedestrians, bicyclists; traffic rules, road signs and other devices that keep all those components moving in harmony.

Traffic Controls

Traffic controls are divided into three (3) groups:

• Signs
• Signals
• Road Markings

Signs

Traffic signs are divided into the following three (3) categories:

• Regulatory Signs
• Warning Signs
• Guide Signs

KNOW THESE SIGNS BY THEIR SHAPES AND COLORS.

Did you know that the shapes of signs are also indicative of what is ahead?

For example:

• A school zone is in the shape of a schoolhouse.
• Warning signs are always diamonds.
• A railroad crossing is round, and a stop sign is octagon-shaped.
• A regulatory sign like the speed limit sign or no parking sign is always rectangular.

The color and placement of street markings is also very important.

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs are white or red signs that regulate the flow of traffic and advise the motorists of any laws for that area. For instance, "Speed Limit" signs are posted in order to keep traffic from moving at an unsafe speed. "No parking" signs are posted because parked cars in that area would slow down or present a danger to traffic. School zone signs are posted to ensure that traffic moves at a speed safe for children walking to and from school. Stop signs, yield signs and signal lights stop traffic so that cross traffic can continue to flow smoothly. You'll usually find yield signs when you are crossing a roadway or moving from one roadway onto another. You should slow down and check oncoming traffic. If you cannot safely enter the road, stop and wait until traffic is clear before moving ahead.

SIGN	DESCRIPTION
	The STOP is the only 8-sided traffic sign (although sometimes at night they probably all look 8-sided). It means that you must come to a complete stop before entering the intersection ahead and yield to traffic close enough to be an immediate hazard. If there is a crosswalk, stop before entering the crosswalk.
	The YIELD sign means slow down so you can yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway and to vehicles on the intersecting street or highway.
	DO NOT ENTER (in other words "Keep Out") The Do Not Enter sign is a square white sign with a solid red disc in the middle. The words DO NOT ENTER are shown in white above and; below a thick horizontal white line.. These signs are placed directly in the view of a motorist who would be traveling onto a road or highway from the wrong direction. This sign also indicates a one-way roadway with traffic coming against you. You must not enter the one-way at this point.
	RAILROAD CROSSING Railroad crossing signs are posted to warn you that there are railroad tracks up ahead. There might also be a large X or double-R marked on the pavement. Whenever you approach a railroad crossing, you should look for indications that a train is coming. If electrical or mechanical warning devices are flashing, or a gate has come down, or a worker is signaling with a flag, or if an approaching train is clearly visible, you must come to a full stop no closer than 15 feet from the nearest rail. Never stop on a railroad track or within six feet of either rail. Certain vehicles, such as school buses and commercial trucks, are required to stop before crossing railroad tracks. As a driver in a passenger car you should be aware of these regulations — especially should you be driving behind a vehicle that is required to stop before crossing. Once the train has passed, do not move forward until the gate has gone up and you are sure there are no other trains are approaching. If you are in heavy traffic, make sure there is enough room for your vehicle on the other side of the tracks before you cross. If your car stalls on a railroad track when a train is approaching, don't waste any time. Immediately get yourself and your passengers out and away from the car. Approach with caution and be sure that all tracks are clear before your cross.
	NO RIGHT TURN This sign means no right turn permitted at anytime.
	NO LEFT TURN This sign means no left turn permitted at anytime.
	NO PARKING When you park your car, you should always check for signs telling you whether or not you can park there, or under what conditions it is okay to park. Parking signs must be obeyed. You should never park in a fire lane, unless, of course, you're driving a fire truck; and you should never park in a space reserved for handicapped drivers unless you're legally entitled to do so. When leaving a parking space, you should always check around to make sure that you yield the right-of-way to vehicles that are already in the lane you're trying to enter. There are no signs that say, "No Parking — Well, Unless You're Only Going to Be a Minute."
	HANDICAPPED PARKING You must not park in a parking space designated for the physically handicapped on either private or public property unless: (a) the vehicle being parked is operated by a physically handicapped person or under the direction of a physically handicapped person, and (b) the vehicle visibly displays the handicapped sticker.
	SPEED LIMIT Speed limit as posted under normal conditions. This sign does not represent the speed limit in your state. It's used as an example of a sign.
	SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT Speed limit in school zone during hours indicated. School zone speed limit may also be displayed on lighted sign with flashing amber lights. This sign does not represent the speed limit in your state. It's used as an example of a sign
	EMERGENCY STOPPING Stopping permitted only for real emergencies–hair and makeup emergencies do not count.
	A CONFUSING SIGN
	NO U-TURN No U-Turn signs are posted where it is unsafe to turn.
	ONE WAY Traffic one flows in one direction on these streets. The arrow points in the direction of the traffic.

Warning Signs

Warning signs are black and yellow, except those used in construction areas which are black and orange.

SIGN	DESCRIPTION
	SCHOOL CROSSING Slow down and watch for children crossing.
	PEDESTRIAN CROSSING You must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Just ahead is a location where people on foot often cross. The crosswalk may not necessarily be at an intersection. Use caution as you approach and drive more slowly and carefully, watching both sides of the street for pedestrians.
	BIKE CROSSING When you encounter this sign slow down and beware of people riding their bicycles.
	SLIPPERY ROADWAY When it's raining, the roadway may become slippery. Slow down and drive carefully.
	UNEVEN PAVEMENT The portion of the roadway you are about to enter is uneven. When you encounter one of these signs, slow down, be prepared…and be thankful you don't have to walk on it.
	LANE ENDS MERGE The roadway ahead is about to change. The right lane is ending and you need to merge left.
	CONSTRUCTION There will be road construction for the next 13 miles. If you are convicted of exceeding the speed limit in a highway work zone, you may be fined up to $500.
	WORKERS PRESENT This sign means there are construction workers present. Reduce your speed and watch out for the workers.

Assault and Battery on Highway Workers - SB 1509

This new law provides an increased penalty for assault and battery crimes committed against highway workers.

California Penal Code Sections 241.5 and 243.65: You can get a gine of up to $2,000 and/or imprisonment in a county jail up to one year.

Guide Signs

Guide signs help us find our way on the highway system. These signs are normally green and white. For instance, "10 Miles to Town with Unusual Name" is a guide sign.

Some guide signs are blue, and indicate all the services coming up. Think of all these services and match them to the color blue: hospital, food, service stations, hotels and disabled parking zones.

Brown signs are also guide signs used to indicate parks and recreational areas. For example, Yellowstone Park's camping and hiking trails signs are all brown.

SIGN	DESCRIPTION
	This indicates an exit for a rest area which normally contains picnic tables and restroom facilities
	The"H" indicates a hospital is nearby. These signs are found at intersections with an arrow indicating the direction of the hospital attached below the sign.
	This is a typical brown guide sign, informing you of a park, recreational area or monument.
	Sure look like this means "Drunk Drivers Go Left"

Signals

Traffic signals are located at intersections where the level of risk increases. Special-use signals may operate at certain times or on demand at school zones, fire stations or factories. Traffic signals may be vertical or horizontal. The most common lenses are red, yellow and green circles …pull over if they begin to look the same color.

Traffic Signals

SIGN	DESCRIPTION
	RED…A circular steady red light requires that you stop at a marked limit line (if none, stop before entering the crosswalk or before entering the intersection) and remain stopped until the light changes to a color that allows you to proceed (typically a green light) At a red light you must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
	YELLOW…A circular steady yellow is a caution light. It warns you that the permission to proceed has ended (the light is no longer green) and that a red light is coming. When you see the yellow light, stop if you can do so safely. If you can't stop safely, enter the intersection cautiously.
	GREEN…A steady circular green "Go" signal. You may go straight or turn right or left, after yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection. Be alert to any signs that may prohibit a turn or turns. Just because the light is green, doesn't mean the path is safe.

Right on Red

A right on red (steady circular red signal) is permitted only after the driver comes to a complete stop and proceeds when it is safe to do so and there is no sign prohibiting the right on red. Remember that you must yield the right of way to pedestrians and to any vehicles nearby or close enough to you that the turn is not safe.

Similar to a right on red, you are permitted to make turn left from a one-way street onto a one-way street. The same rules apply — come to a complete stop, yield to pedestrians and any nearby traffic.

At a flashing signal you must either stop or slow down, depending on the color of the light. A flashing red signal means that you must come to a full stop. You must slow down at a flashing yellow signal. A police officer can overrule traffic signals. If a police officer is present follow the instructions provided by the officer.

SIGN	DESCRIPTION
	A flashing red light indicates you must stop and proceed only when it is safe to do so. A flashing red signal means that you must come to a full stop. You must slow down at a flashing yellow signal. A police officer can overrule traffic signals. If a police officer is present follow the instructions provided by the officer.
	A flashing yellow light indicates that you should slow down and proceed with caution…..just like you do when you come home late.
	A RED ARROW means stop until the green signal or green arrow appears. A turn may not be made against a red arrow.
	A YELLOW ARROW means the allowed turning time period is ending. Be prepared to obey the next signal which could be the green or red light or the red arrow. (In other words, get off the cell phone for a second and pay attention).
	A GREEN ARROW means go. Turn in the direction the arrow is pointing. But first yield to any vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian still in the intersection. The green arrow pointing left or right allows you to make a protected turn. This means oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians are stopped by a red light as long as the green arrow is lighted.

Pedestrian Signals

A flashing Don't Walk or Raised Hand signal means do not start across the street because you may not have enough time to make it across safely "UNLESS YOU'RE RECKLESS AND CAN RUN REALLY FAST."

Road Markings

Generally there are four types of pavement markings:

• centerline striping
• edge striping
• crosswalks
• pavement messages

Centerline Striping

Centerlines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions.
Centerlines on two-lane highways are painted yellow and on multi-lane highways and one-way streets they are white.

Broken lines are used in areas where there are no restrictions on passing and when there are only two lanes.

• You cannot pass over a solid yellow line.
• You can pass if the line on your side is broken.

Lane Dividers When a roadway consists of two or more traffic lanes for vehicles moving in one direction, the lanes are divided by broken white lines. These broken lines may be crossed when passing.

Double solid lines A double solid line is used to delineate a travel lane where travel is the same direction is permitted on both sides of the line, but crossing the double lines is prohibited.

Edge striping

In many areas, the right and/or left edges of the highway are marked with a solid white line. This line indicates the outside edge of the traffic lane, and may be crossed only by traffic moving to or from the shoulder. Occasionally yellow lines are used for left edge lines on divided roadways where traffic cannot pull entirely off the roadway, for marking of obstructions, and islands, which must be passed on the right.

Crosswalks

White solid lines are used to denote pedestrian crosswalks at intersections and, in some situations, between intersections. A driver must stop at all crosswalks which are occupied by pedestrians, if there are no controlling signals.

Pavement Messages:

In some areas, pavement messages are used to warn of conditions ahead, such as SCHOOL ZONE, RR CROSSING, etc. Such messages are lettered on the road surface in white paint… (right next to the graffiti.)

Here are some examples.

EXAMPLE	DESCRIPTION
	Two-lane, two-way roadway, with passing prohibited in one direction. The solid yellow line indicates a no-passing zone for traffic flowing in that direction. The broken yellow line indicates a passing zone for traffic flowing in that direction.
	Multi-lane, two-way roadway, with two-way left turn lane reserved exclusively for left turning vehicles in either direction.
	High Occupancy Vehicles ONLY (HOV Lane) The HOV lanes can be found on major highways. To occupy the HOV lane you must have two or more passengers in your vehicle. These lanes are indicated by a diamond on the roadway. HYBRID & LOW EMISSION VEHICLES ALLOWED IN HOV LANES Some low emission and hybrid vehicles (rated at 45 mpg or higher) will be permitted to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes without the requisite number of passengers. These vehicles must display a special decal, issued by the DMV. The number of decals statewide is limited to 75,000.
	A solid yellow line on each side of the roadway indicates no passing in either direction. However, you may cross these lines to turn into a driveway.
	The broken white lines indicate lane separation for traffic flowing in that direction. Solid yellow lines indicate no passing in either direction.
	White lines also indicate a bicycle lane. Bicycle lanes are for bicycles only, and don't try to pass yourself off as a bicyclist. If you need to make a right turn or enter a driveway, you may use the bicycle lane, but only after you've checked carefully and made sure that there are no bicyclists nearby.

Two parallel white lines mark a crosswalk for pedestrians. Most of the time you'll find them at intersections where pedestrians can use them when they have a green light or "walk" signal. If the light is red, you must stop before the first white line.

Turning

When you're making a turn, be sure to be in the proper lane. Be sure to activate your right or left turn signal to indicate that you are changing lanes BEFORE you begin the maneuver. If you are not in the correct lane at that point, you should wait until the next intersection to make your turn…otherwise, people are going to honk and call you names.

Signs, signals and road markings keep traffic flowing safely. Always obey these regulations and you'll reduce your chances of being in a crash.

A bicycle ridden on a roadway, or the shoulder of a highway, shall be operated in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven on the roadway.

Divided Highway

Whenever a highway has been divided into two or more roadways by means of intermittent barriers or by means of a dividing section of not less than two feet in width, either unpaved or delineated by curbs, double-parallel lines, or other markings on the roadway, it is unlawful to do either of the following:

• To drive any vehicle over, upon, or across the dividing section.
• To make any left, semicircular, or U-turn with the vehicle on the divided highway, except through an opening in the barrier designated and intended by public authorities for the use of vehicles or through a plainly marked opening in the dividing section.

Turnout Procedure for Slow Moving Vehicles

On a two-lane highway where passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow-moving vehicle, behind which five or more vehicles are formed in line, shall turn off the roadway at the nearest place designated as a turnout, or wherever sufficient area for a safe turnout exists, in order to permit the vehicles following it to proceed. (In other words… Get the #&$@ out of the way if you are holding up traffic!)

Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right.

When driving in the hills, the driver of the vehicle going down the hill shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle going up and shall, if necessary, back his vehicle to a place in the highway where it is possible for the vehicles to pass

Stopping

The second most common violation next to speeding is disobeying the stop sign.

Believe it or not, you're supposed to actually stop at the stop sign for at least 3 seconds at an intersection, even if you have a right of way.

BEWARE… There are still many people who believe that this sign means

Slow To Observe Police…

Effective Use Of Turn Signals

Drivers signal:

• To let other drivers know their plans.
• Before pulling next to (or away from) the curb.
• Before turning or changing lanes.

Use the signal lights on your vehicle. If you happen to drive an older vehicle not equipped with signal lamps or if your signals are inoperative, you may use arm signals.

Turn on your signal light during the last 100 feet before changing lanes or 5 seconds traveled before a turn or action.

One cautionary note: Even though you signal, do not automatically assume that the space you wish to occupy is clear. Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot before making a lane change.

Check your signal after turning. Turn it off if it hasn't clicked off by itself.

Right of Way and Signaling at Intersections

If you plan to turn beyond an intersection, don't signal until you are actually at the intersection. If you signal too early, another driver may think you will turn before you reach him or her and might pull into your path.

For example, if you plan to turn at an intersection which is close to a business driveway, be especially careful. People leaving that business may think you are turning into the driveway when you really intend to turn at the intersection. These drivers may pull out right in front of you. In a case like this, it might be better to signal after the driveway but before the intersection.

If you happen to need to use arm signals, here is a quick refresher:

With your arm extended out the window and bent at the elbow pointing down to signal slowing down; extended straight out for a left turn; and extended out with the elbow bent for a right turn. To avoid any misunderstandings, we suggest that you hold your fingers in a fist.

Who has the right of way at a four-way stop sign?

Car number 1 gets there first, car number 2 gets there second. Who goes first?

It's a trick question. Car number 1 got there first, so car number 1 is allowed to go first. Car number 2 should yield the right of way to car number 1.

But remember, never insist on the right of way. We never want to say, "I got here first, so I'm going no matter what!"

When you stop at a stop sign, wait 2 or 3 seconds if it's a busy area. When you stop, think one thousand one, one thousand two, look both ways and then go. If you're from the south, think one Mississippi, two Mississippi, then look left, right and left again and then go if clear.

You should know the proper order when encountering these situations. It's like being in line at the bank. When the teller says, "Next," the first person in line gets to go. Hello!

It's the same when yielding the right-of-way. Car number 1 should be allowed to go first, so car number 2 should yield the right of way.

What if two cars get there at the same time? Who goes first? Car number 2 should allow car number 1 to go first. You should always yield the right of way to the car on your right.

What if three cars arrive at the four-way stop at the same time? Who should go first? The answer is car number 3. Look at the diagram. Car number 1 is on the right of car number 2, and car number 3 is on the right of car number 1.

If you have trouble figuring this one out, we suggest cutting it out and pasting it on your dashboard.

What if four cars arrive at the four-way stop at the same time? Who goes first? (The person with the biggest car…NOT)

Pretend you're driving car number 3. You'll let car number 4 go first. After car number 4 goes through the intersection, car number 3 follows, then car number 1, then car number 2. Always yield the right of way to the car on the right.

The best way to describe 'right of way' is that you must give up, or yield, in certain circumstances.

It is your responsibility as a motorist to do everything possible to avoid a collision.

What are some other situations where you are required to yield the right of way?

Here's an obvious one: when you approach a yield sign, you are required to yield the right of way to traffic on the road you are trying to enter or cross.

Emergency vehicles - When you see a vehicle displaying flashing lights, or you hear a siren, you are required to yield the right of way to that vehicle.

You yield the right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk… or to oncoming traffic when you are trying to make a left turn.

Let's Review

• Never insist on your right of way.
• You can tell a type of sign by a color,
  • Construction-Orange
  • Regulatory-White/Red
  • Warning-Yellow
• Never cross a solid yellow line to pass
• Crosswalks are marked by parallel white lines
• You cannot cross two double white lines to pass or change lanes
• Flashing red lights mean "stop" and flashing yellow lights mean "slow down"

Okay… now what?

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All Improv Traffic School courses are DMV and/or court-approved for online Traffic School and Online Defensive Driving. Many commercial fleets use our Defensive Driving courses in California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, New Jersey and New York. Some of our most popular programs include: California Online Traffic School, for the CA Court System; Florida DMV Traffic School - Basic Driver Improvement; Georgia court-approved defensive driving course; Idaho DMV Defensive Driving Course; New Jersey DMV Defensive Driving Program; NYS DMV Defensive Driving Program.