Part 1 of 5

To drive safely, you must follow many rules and laws. Driving rules tell you where and when you can drive. They are not only for informational purposes, but more importantly, for your safety. Traffic signs can come in all shapes and sizes….

WARNING SIGNS

Many road signs warn you to slow down or watch for hazards ahead. Most warning signs are yellow and shaped like a diamond. Some common warning signs are shown below.
All warning signs must be obeyed.

Crossroad or Another road crosses yours up ahead.
There is a traffic signal ahead.
There is another lane of traffic merging with your lane ahead.
There is a pedestrian crosswalk ahead and the pedestrian has the right-of-way
The right lane ends ahead.
You may turn left when the light is green. Yield to traffic which is close enough to be a hazard.

TRAFFIC CONTROL AT INTERSECTIONS…

Traffic lights, signs, and "right-of-way" rules tell you when to go or stop at an intersection. These are what the colors of traffic lights mean…

RED - A red signal light means "STOP." A right turn can be made against a red light after you stop and yield to pedestrians and vehicles in your path. DO NOT turn if there is a sign posted for "NO TURN ON RED."
RED ARROW - A red arrow means "STOP" until the green signal or green arrow appears. A turn may not be made against a red arrow.
FLASHING RED - A flashing red signal light means exactly the same as a stop sign: namely, STOP! After stopping, proceed when safe, observing the right-of-way rules.
YELLOW - A yellow signal light warns you that the red signal is about to appear. When you see the yellow light, you should stop, if you can do so safely. If you can't stop, look out for vehicles that may enter the intersection when the light changes.
FLASHING YELLOW - A flashing yellow signal light warns you to be careful. Slow down and be especially alert.
YELLOW ARROW - A yellow arrow means the "protected' turning time period is ending. Be prepared to obey the next signal which could be the green or red light or the red arrow.
GREEN - A green light means "GO," but first you must let any vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians remaining in the intersection go. When your signal changes to green, get through before you move ahead. Make the left turn only if you have enough space to complete the turn before any oncoming vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian becomes a hazard. Do not enter an intersection, even when the light is green, unless there is enough space to completely cross before the light turns red. If heavy traffic causes you to block traffic, you can be cited.
GREEN ARROW - A green arrow means "GO," but first you must yield to any vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian still in the intersection. The green arrow pointing right or left allows you to make a "protected" turn; oncoming vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians are stopped by a red light as long as the green arrow is lighted.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL BLACKOUT

If all traffic signal lights are not working because of an electrical power failure, you must stop at the intersection and then proceed when you know other turning and approaching vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians will also be stopping. A blacked-out traffic signal is the same as a stop sign controlled intersection in all directions.

REGULATORY SIGNS

Regulatory signs are black on white or white on black, and show what you must do at a given point. They have the same force as traffic laws. Some regulatory signs show the speed limit, others instruct as to direction (one-way, keep right); or slow traffic keep right, or prohibited actions (no U-Turn).

GUIDE SIGNS

Guide signs come in blue, green and brown and tell motorists which services are available in the vicinity. These are only a few of the many guide signs you might see along the highways.