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Florida Driver Handbook: Traffic Signs

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Florida Driver Handbook: Traffic Signs

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Table of Contents

9. Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings

Shapes and Colors

There are ten colors and nine shapes of traffic signs. Each shape and each color has an exact meaning, so you must acquaint yourself with all of them.

Green: Guide, directional information.

Red: Stop, do not enter or wrong way.

Blue: Motorist services guidance. It is also used to identify parking spaces for disabled drivers.

Orange: Construction and maintenance warning.

Brown: Public recreation areas and guidance to areas of cultural and historical significance.

Yellow: General warning and advisory of unexpected roadway conditions.

White: Regulatory.

Black: Regulatory.

Fluorescent Yellow Green: High emphasis warning of school, pedestrian, and bicycling activity.

The shape of a road sign can tell you as much about the sign's message as its color.

Octagon Octagon
Exclusively for stop signs.

Horizontal Rectangle Horizontal Rectangle
Generally for guide signs.

Triangle Triangle
Exclusively for yield signs.

Pennant Pennant
Advance warning of no passing zones.

Diamond Diamond
Exclusively to warn of existing or possible hazards on roadways or adjacent areas.

Vertical Rectangle Vertical Rectangle
Generally for regulatory signs.

Pentagon Pentagon
School advance and school crossing signs.

Round Round
Railroad advance warning signs.

Crossbuck Crossbuck
Railroad crossing.

Octagon Octagon: Stop Signs are always octagonal (8 sided). A stop sign means that you must bring your vehicle to a complete halt at the marked stop line. If there is no marked stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no crosswalk, stop at a point nearest the intersecting roadway where you have a clear view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection.

4-Way Stop sign A 4-Way Stop sign means that there are four stop signs at this intersection. Traffic from all four directions must stop. The first vehicle to reach the intersection should move forward first. If two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Triangle: Yield Triangle: Yield
Slow down and give vehicles crossing your path the rightofway. If the way is clear, you may move forward slowly without stopping. Yield signs are usually placed where auxiliary roads lead into major roads.

Pennant: No Passing Pennant: No Passing
You are entering a no passing zone. This sign is placed on the left side of the road, facing the driver.

Diamond: Warning Diamond: Warning
Narrow bridge. These signs warn you of special conditions or dangers ahead. Words or symbols on the sign will show why you need to use caution.

Pentagon: School Sign Pentagon: School Sign
This five-sided sign means you are near a school. Watch for children.

School Crossing School Crossing
As you approach this sign, slow down and watch for children crossing the road. Stop if necessary. Obey signals from any crossing guards.

Begin School Zone Begin School Zone
Do not exceed the school zone speed limit during indicated times. Watch for children!
Begin School Zone
Do not exceed the school zone speed limit when flashing. Watch for children!
End School Zone
This sign marks the end of a reduced school speed zone.

9.5.1 Warning Signs

Here are some common warning signs. These signs give you advance notice of possible hazards ahead. Drive with caution.

Slippery When Wet Slippery When Wet
In wet weather, drive slowly. Do not speed up or brake quickly. Make sharp turns at a very slow speed.

Divided Highway Ahead Divided Highway Ahead
The highway ahead is divided into two one-way roadways. Keep to the right.

Divided Highway Ends Divided Highway Ends
The divided highway on which you are traveling ends 350 to 500 feet ahead. You will then be on a roadway with two-way traffic. Keep to the right.

Low Clearance Low Clearance
Do not enter if your vehicle is taller than the height listed on the sign.

Bicycle Crossing Bicycle Crossing
This sign warns you in advance that a bikeway crosses the roadway ahead.

Merging Traffic Merging Traffic
You are coming to a point where another traffic lane joins the one you are on. Watch for other traffic and be ready to yield the right-of-way when necessary.

Pedestrian Crossing Pedestrian Crossing
Watch for people crossing the street. Slow down or stop if necessary.

Narrow Bridge Narrow Bridge
The bridge is wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic, but with very little clearance.

Dip Dip
There is a low place in the road. Go slowly and be ready to stop if the dip is filled with water.

Soft Shoulder Soft Shoulder
The dirt on the side of the road is soft. Don't leave the pavement except in an emergency.

One Lane Bridge One Lane Bridge
The bridge is wide enough for only one vehicle at a time. Make sure the bridge is clear of oncoming traffic before you cross.

Pavement Ends Pavement Ends
The road surface ahead changes from a hard-surfaced pavement to a lowtype surface or earth road.

Right Curve Right Curve
Slow your speed and keep well to the left. The road willcurve to the right.

Double Curve Double Curve
The road will curve to the right, then to the left. Slow your speed, keep to the right, and do not pass.

Winding Road Winding Road
There are several curves ahead. Drive slowly and carefully.

Truck Crossing Truck Crossing
Watch for trucks entering or crossing the highway.

Cross Road Cross Road
A road crosses the main highway ahead. Look to the left and right for other traffic.

Side Road Side Road
Another road enters the highway from the direction shown. Watch for traffic from that direction.

Sharp Right Turn Sharp Right Turn
The road will make a sharp turn to the right. Slow your speed, keep to the right, and do not pass other vehicles.

Reduction of Lanes Reduction of Lanes
There will be fewer lanes ahead. Traffic must merge left. Drivers in the left lane should allow others to merge smoothly. Right lane ends.

Advisory Speed Sign Advisory Speed Sign
The highest safe speed you should travel around the curve ahead is 25 miles per hour. Advisory speed signs may be used with any diamond-shaped warning sign.

Hill/Downgrade Hill/Downgrade
Slow down and be ready to shift to lower gear to control speed and save brakes.

Yield Ahead Yield Ahead
This sign warns of a yield sign ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop at yield sign or adjust speed to traffic.

Traffic Signal Ahead Traffic Signal Ahead
This sign warns of traffic signals at the intersection ahead. Slow down; poor visibility is likely.

Stop Sign Ahead Stop Sign Ahead
When you come to this sign, slow down to be ready to stop at the stop sign.

Two-Way Traffic Ahead
The one-way street or roadway ahead ends. You will then be facing oncoming traffic.

Animal Crossing Animal Crossing
The animal pictured on the sign is common in this area: watch for this species crossing the road particularly during twilight and night- time hours.

Roundabout Circle
Warning sign that provides an advance notice of a roundabout.

Speed Reduction Sign
Warning sign that provides advance notice to upcoming speed limit change.

9.5.2 - Rectangle: Regulatory Information

These signs tell you the law, so you must follow their instructions.

No Sign Remember that a red circle with a slash means NO. The sign shows you what is not allowed.

No U-Turn NO U-TURN - You cannot make a complete turn to go in the opposite direction where this sign is displayed. No U-turn.

No Right Turn You must not make a right turn at this intersection.

Speed Limit 50 50 miles per hour is the highest speed you can safely travel in this area.

Speeding Fines Doubled Speeding Fines Doubled. This is a Florida Standard sign that applies to both active school and work zones.

No Straight You cannot go straight ahead. You must turn either to the right or left.

Wrong Way You are going the wrong way on an expressway exit ramp. Do not drive past this sign. Turn around immediately.

Divided Highway A divided highway is ahead. Stay on the right side of the divider.

Disabled Parking Parking in this space is only for vehicles displaying an official permit and transporting a disabled person.

One Way You may travel only in the direction of the arrow.

Exit 30 MPH This sign lists the maximum recommended safe speed for an entrance or exit on an expressway. Slow down to whatever speed is shown.

No Turn on Red You may not turn right or left during the red light. You must wait for the signal to turn green.

Restricted Lane Ahead A diamond-shaped marking shows that a lane is reserved for certain purposes or certain vehicles. The lanes are usually reserved for buses or car-pool vehicles during rush hour traffic.

Center Lane Turning Only The center lane is shared for left turns in both directions of travel.

Pass with Care When you have passed this sign, you are again permitted to pass other vehicles with care.

Left Lane Must Turn Left Traffic in left lane must turn left at the intersection ahead.

Emergency Stopping Only Stopping permitted only for emergencies.

Turn Lanes At the intersection ahead traffic in left lane must turn left and traffic in adjoining lane may turn left or continue straight ahead.

Slower Traffic Keep Right This sign is used on multiple lane highways to advise slower driving traffic to stay in the right hand lane and also to do so when approached from behind by other traffic even if you are doing the speed limit.

No Turns You must not turn either to the right or to the left at this intersection.

No Parking on Pavement If you park, you must always park off the pavement of the highway.

Right Turn - Yield to Bikes When entering a right turn lane motorists may conflict with bicyclists traveling straight. Always yield.

511 Travel Info The Florida Department of Transportation's 511 Traffic Information Service provides bilingual (English and Spanish) real-time traffic information, including travel times, crashes, lane closures, severe weather, construction and emergency evacuation information on all Florida interstate highways, many metropolitan roadways and Florida's Turnpike. The service operates 24 hours a day on the phone by dialing 511, or on the Web at www.FL511.com. The 511 service is available from cell phones and landlines; however, standard cell phone minutes may apply.

9.5.3 - Railroad Crossing Signs and Signals

There are several signs, signals and pavement markings that indicate highway-railroad crossings. When you see one of them, slow down and be ready to stop.

Remember: Trains cannot stop quickly. An average freight train traveling at 30 MPH needs a stopping distance of more than half a mile. Longer trains moving at faster speeds can take one and a half miles or more to stop. Any pedestrian or person driving a vehicle and approaching a railroad-highway grade crossing must stop 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad when the electrical or mechanical warning devices are flashing, the crossing gate is lowered, a human flagger is warning of an approaching train, or an approaching train is clearly visible and is in close proximity to the railroad-highway grade crossing. Do not proceed until you can do so safely.

Pavement Marking Pavement Marking
Pavement markings, consisting of an RXR followed by a stop line closer to the tracks, may be painted on the paved approach to a crossing.

Advance Warning Sign Advance Warning Sign
The advance warning sign is usually the first sign you see when approaching a highway-rail intersection. The advance warning sign advises you to slow down, look and listen for a train, and be prepared to stop if a train is approaching.

Crossbuck Sign Crossbuck Sign
Crossbuck signs are found at highway-rail intersections. They are yield signs. You are legally required to yield the right of way to trains. Slow down, look and listen for a train, and stop if a train approaches. Railroad crossbuck signs are found at most crossings. If there is more than one track, the sign below the crossbuck will show the number of tracks at the crossing.

Flashing Red Light Signals Flashing Red Light Signals
At many highway-rail crossings, the crossbuck sign has flashing red lights and bells. When the lights begin to flash,stop! A train is approaching.

DO NOT STOP ON THE TRACKS OR WITHIN 15 FEET OF THE CROSSING.

If there is more than one track, make sure all tracks are clear before crossing. Do not move forward until you can do so safely. In heavy traffic make sure there is room for your vehicle on the other side before starting to cross.

Gates Gates
Many crossings have gates with flashing red lights and bells. Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers across your road lane. If the gates are down, the road is closed. It is against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate, either down or being opened or closed. Do not move forward until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing as there may be a train approaching on an adjacent track.

Always approach highway-railroad crossings at a reasonable speed and be prepared to stop if you have to. Be especially alert when you are following buses or trucks, which may have to stop at highway-railroad crossings even when gates are up and the warning lights are not flashing. If your car stalls on the tracks don't hesitate. Get yourself and your passengers out and away from the car immediately. If a collision is imminent, the safest direction is toward the train but stay off the tracks. That way you will be least likely to be hit by your vehicle or any debris from the collision.

9.5.4 - Drawbridge Signs and Signals

Drawbridge Drawbridges are mechanical bridges over navigable waters that raise or turn to allow marine traffic to go under them. When they begin to move the roadway is closed to all traffic. Always use caution when driving or walking over a drawbridge.

Drawbridge Signal

These should be treated just like a regular traffic control signal.

Drawbridge Signal

Red
Come to a complete stop at the marked stop line. The bridge is in operation and the roadway is closed to all pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic.

Yellow
Stop if you can safely do so. The bridge is just about to start operation. If you are not able to stop, continue with caution and watch for the traffic gates.

Green
Go - watch out for pedestrians and other vehicles on the bridge.

Flashing Yellow Light Signal
This is the first sign you see when approaching a drawbridge. This sign advises you to slow down and look for the DRAWBRIDGE SIGNAL. If the yellow light is flashing to indicate the drawbridge is in operation and the DRAWBRIDGE SIGNAL is red, prepare to stop.

Many drawbridges have gates with flashing red lights and bells. Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers across your road lane. If the gates are down, the road is closed. It is against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate, either down or being opened or closed. Do not move forward until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing.

9.5.5 - Construction and Maintenance Traffic Control Signs

Various traffic control devices are used in road construction and maintenance work areas to direct drivers and pedestrians safely through the work site and to provide for the safety of highway workers.

Be prepared to reduce your speed and use caution when directed to do so by a sign, flagger and/or police officer.

Construction and maintenance signs are used to notify drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions in or near work areas. Most signs used in highway and street work areas are diamond shaped.

Channeling Devices
Barricades, vertical panels, drums, and cones are the most commonly used devices to alert drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions in highway and street work zones. These devices are used to guide the drivers safely through the work area, and at night, they may be equipped with warning lights. When a Road Closed sign is displayed, do not drive on this road. Look for a detour or another route. Stripes on barricades and panel devices slope downward in the direction traffic must travel.

Flashing Arrow Panels Flashing Arrow Panels
Flashing arrow panels are used both during the day and at night to give advance warning and directional information to drivers, where it is necessary to move to the right or to the left into another lane.

A horizontal flashing bar indicates a warning - use caution approaching the work area.

Flaggers Flaggers
Flaggers are often provided in highway and street work zones to stop slow, or guide traffic safely through the area.

Flaggers wear orange vests or jackets and use red flags or stop/slow panels to direct traffic through work zones.

9.5.6 - Special Signs

Slow Moving Vehicle
Vehicles going less than 25 miles per hour (such as farm equipment) must display this sign on the rear when using public highways.

Green Guide Signs Green Guide Signs
Green and white signs give information about directions and distances. Guide signs on expressways show you which lanes to use to get where you want to go. Routes that run generally East-West have even numbers and those running North-South have odd numbers.

Blue and White Service Signs

Blue and White Service Signs
Blue and white signs direct you to services, such as gas, food, motels and hospitals.

Brown and White Signs Brown and White Signs
Brown and white signs point out scenic areas and parks.

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