Overview
This lecture covers the main types of road signs in Pennsylvania, including regulatory, warning, work zone, and guide signs, and explains their meanings and uses for safe driving.
Regulatory Signs
- Regulatory signs indicate required or prohibited actions by law (e.g., speed limits, turn prohibitions).
- Shapes and colors: black/white rectangles, red/white (STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER, WRONG WAY), or black/white/red.
- STOP sign: only octagon; full stop required before proceeding safely.
- FOUR-WAY STOP: all directions must stop; first to arrive goes first, or yield to the right if arriving together.
- YIELD sign: triangular; slow and yield to traffic/pedestrians, stop if necessary.
- Railroad Crossbuck: treat as YIELD at railroad crossings.
- NO ENTRY/WRONG WAY: indicate one-way streets/ramps; do not enter or proceed.
- ONE-WAY: proceed only in the direction of the arrow.
- NO TRUCKS/BICYCLES/PEDESTRIAN CROSSING: prohibits certain users.
- NO U-TURN, NO RIGHT/LEFT TURN, NO PARKING, DO NOT PASS: actions not allowed where posted.
- Lane use control: signs indicate which maneuvers are permitted from each lane.
- Speed limit: maximum under ideal conditions; slower speeds may be required for safety.
- NO TURN ON RED: no turning on red signal where posted.
- Reserved parking: designated for disabled persons.
Warning Signs
- Warn about hazards or changes ahead; usually yellow diamonds with black symbols.
- NO PASSING ZONE: pennant shape on left side.
- Chevrons and curve/turn signs: indicate direction and severity of bends.
- Curve, sharp turn, winding road, and set-of-curves: adjust speed and lane position as indicated.
- Merging/Added Lane/Weave Area: merging or diverging traffic ahead.
- Divided highway begins/ends: watch for medians or two-way traffic.
- Intersection types: indicate upcoming road joins or crossing types.
- Narrow bridge/underpass, slippery when wet, deer crossing, low clearance: special caution required.
- Hill/Downgrade: steep grade ahead; use lower gear.
- Traffic signal/STOP sign ahead: prepare to stop.
- Crossing warnings: bicycle, pedestrian, school, horse-drawn vehicles.
- Roadside hazards: striped markers show which direction to move to avoid obstacles.
Work Zone Signs
- Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of construction/maintenance areas.
- Turn on headlights in work zones; required by law.
- Signs indicate beginnings/end of zones, lane closures, workers ahead, or flagger instructions.
- Barricades, cones, and electronic arrow panels direct drivers through changing patterns.
Guide Signs
- Guide signs (green) provide directions to cities, exits, and points of interest.
- Exit numbers correspond to mile markers; exit side is shown by sign position/arrows.
- Interstate numbering: even numbers (east-west), odd (north-south), three-digits for loops (even first digit) or spur routes (odd first digit).
- Mile markers help determine location and distance traveled.
- Route markers show highway numbers, junctions, or directions.
- Service signs (blue) show locations of services; tourist signs (blue/brown) indicate attractions.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Regulatory Sign — Tells drivers what they must or must not do under law.
- Warning Sign — Alerts to road conditions or hazards ahead.
- Guide Sign — Provides directions, distances, and identifies routes or services.
- Work Zone Sign — Orange sign identifying areas with construction or maintenance.
- Crossbuck — X-shaped sign at railroad crossings, treated as a yield.
- Chevrons — Arrow pattern on signs marking sharp curves.
- Lane Use Control Sign — Indicates allowed maneuvers in specific lanes.
- Mile Marker — Sign displaying distance from start of highway.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize key regulatory and warning signs for exam prep.
- Practice identifying each sign type and understanding required driver actions.
- Read Chapter 3 for more on railroad and emergency situations.