XV.
Traffic Signs, Signals And Controls
Recognizing Traffic Control Signals and Pavement Markings
Purpose of Traffic Controls
To drive safely, you must follow many rules and laws. They tell you where and when you can drive. To follow these rules, you must know what traffic lights and signs mean. You must understand "right-of-way" laws and how to use traffic lanes. You must know where and when you can park.
Traffic signs warn you to slow down, or prepare to stop, and watch for hazards, intersections, slow traffic, animals crossing, merging traffic, school zone, etc.
There are many other signs whose purpose is to provide information, such as route markers, distances and destinations.
Traffic Signs
A stop signs means that you must make a full stop before entering a crosswalk or at a white "limit line." A limit line is a wide white lane painted on the street. When a crosswalk or limit line is not marked, stop at the corner. Check for traffic before proceeding. Wait until it is safe before going forward.
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On divided highways, a stop sign for crossing or turning vehicles is often placed on the island or dividing strip. You must also stop there. |
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When you see this yield sign, slow down, be ready to stop, and let traffic (including people walking or riding bikes) pass before you go ahead. Go only when it is safe. |
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The do not enter sign tells you there is danger ahead because vehicles will be coming toward you, usually on a freeway off ramp. |
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The wrong way sign may be with the do not enter sign. If you see one or both of these signs, drive to the side and stop. You are going against traffic. When safe, back out or turn around and go back to the road you were on. ( At night, road reflectors will shine red in your headlights when you are going the wrong way.) A red circle with a red line through it always means NO. The picture may be shown with or without words under it.
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The signs shown below are placed where a cement separation strip or wall ends. These signs warn you that the center of the two-way road will only be marked by lines painted on the road.
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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. Examples:
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Crossroad: Another road crosses yours up ahead.
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There is a traffic signal ahead. |
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There is another lane of traffic merging with your lane ahead. |
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There is a pedestrian crosswalk ahead and the pedestrian has the right of way
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The right lane ends ahead.
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You may turn left when the light is green. Yield to traffic which is close enough to be a hazard. |
Regulatory Signs
Black and white signs like these tell you what to do. You must obey them.
111, 187, 139, 173
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.
Meaning of Traffic Control Signs
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 color of traffic lights mean:
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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."
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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.
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: A flashing red signal light means exactly the same as
stop sign: namely, STOP! After stopping, proceed when safe, observing the right-of-way rules. |
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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. |
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FLASHING YELLOW: A flashing yellow signal light warns you to be careful. Slow down and be especially alert. 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. |
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GREEN: A green light means "GO," but first you must let any vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians remaining in the intersection 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 pedestrians become 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. |
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GREEN ARROW: A green arrow means "GO" but first you must yield to any vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrians still in the intersection. The green arrow pointing right or left allows you to make a "protected" turn; coming vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians are stopped by a red light as long as the green arrow is lighted. |
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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 blackout traffic is the same as a stop sign controlled intersection in all directions. |
Intersection Safety
For safety purposes, traffic controls are placed at intersections. Examples include: "No Left Turn," "No Right Turn On Red," "Watch for Oncoming Traffic." You should scan the intersection for potential hazards, such as cross or oncoming traffic, pedestrians, drivers making left turns, etc.
If the signal has turned yellow, when you approach the intersection you should stop if you can do it safely. If you can't stop, look out for vehicles that may enter the intersection when the light changes.
Pedestrian Signals
Many streets crossings have pedestrian signals that show the words "walk" and "don't walk" or show a "Walking Person" in white and a "raised hand" in orange. Pedestrian signals direct pedestrians while crossing the street. The "walk" or "Walking Person" appears when it is legal to start crossing. When the "don't walk" or "Raised Hand" appears, you may not start across the street. The flashing signal means you should not begin to cross because you may not have enough time to make it to the other side before vehicles start moving across your path. If the flashing starts after you have already started to cross, you may finish crossing the street.
At many traffic signals, you need to push the pedestrian push button (once) to receive "walk" or "walking person" signal. At a crossing where there are no pedestrian signals pedestrians must obey the red, yellow, or green signal lights.
Pavement and Curb Markings
White lines painted on the pavement indicate traffic going in your direction (such as one-way streets).
Yellow lines mark the center of a two-way road used for two-way traffic. You may pass on a two-way road if the yellow center line is broken. When a solid and a broken yellow line are together, you must not pass if you are next to the solid line. Two solid yellow lines mean "no passing."
Never drive to the left of these lines. Stay on your side of the road. Exceptions:
When turning left at an intersection or into or out of a private road or driveway.
When the right half of the road is closed or blocked.
Some carpool lanes. Enter and exit at designated places only.
Lanes For Through Traffic
Many roads have two or more lanes going in your direction. These lanes are separated by broken white lines. You must choose which lane to use. Drive in the lane that has the smoothest flow of traffic. You will save fuel. If you choose among three lanes on your side of the road, pick the middle lane for smoothest driving. If you want to go faster, pass, or turn left, use the left lane. When you drive slowly, enter, or turn off the road, use the right lane.
If only two lanes go in your direction, pick the right lane for the smoothest driving.
Don't weave - stay in one traffic lane as much as possible. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors for vehicles that may be ready to pass you; also turn your head and check beside your vehicle to see if any vehicle, such as a motorcycle, is in your blind spot and to be sure there is enough room for your vehicle in the next lane.
Once you start through an intersection, keep going. If you start to make a turn, follow through. Last second changes may cause collisions. If you miss a turn, continue to the next intersection and work your way back to where you want to go.
Curb Markings
Curbs are painted in various colors to indicate stopping and parking restrictions. White indicates loading and unloading of passengers only. Green curb allows you to park for a limited time, usually indicated on the curb or on a sign next to the green zone. Yellow curb is meant for delivery or pickup of goods or people. Red is a no-no parking zone for most vehicles. Blue indicates parking for the disabled only.
Additional Pavement Markings
Solid white line on the edge of the pavement warns the drivers not to cross the line and go off the edge of the road.
Diagonal lines, or "zebra" lines are often used to mark fixed obstructions, such as traffic islands and lane barriers.
You'll see stop or limit lines painted in solid white at intersections. Stop at these white lines to allow pedestrians and trains to pass. You'll see similar solid white lines at traffic intersections for pedestrian crossing.
Railroad crossings are marked by solid white R x R and a limit line. Vehicles must come to a stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail. Solid white pavement marking is also used to indicate that you're approaching school crossing; you must slow down and be prepared to stop.
Crossings that Require Special Stops
Railroad Crossings
Signs warn you that you are approaching railroad tracks. Look and listen for trains in both directions. Be ready to stop, if necessary. You should expect a train on a track at any time, day or night. Never stop on a railroad track. Usually by the time a train sees you, it will be too late for it to stop.
When traffic is heavy, wait off the tracks until you are sure you can drive over them without stopping. Watch for vehicles that must stop before crossing the tracks, such as buses, school buses, and large trucks transporting hazardous loads.
Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing mean Stop at least 15 feet from the tracks when:
A person or signal warns that a train is coming.
You see a train coming.
You hear the horn or bell of a train close by.
Never start across if there isn't room for your vehicle on the other side of the tracks. Don't go ahead until you can see clearly in both directions because there may be second train coming from either direction.
Do not go around or under any closed railroad gate. Cross only when it is safe.
Trolleys At Railroad Crossings
The same rules apply to trolley crossings as to train crossings. Do not proceed across the tracks until you can see clearly in both directions and are sure that no other trolley or train is coming.
Do not go around or under any closed gate.
Note: Trolleys are very quiet and move more quickly than freight trains.
School Buses
You may come upon a school bus which is stopped and flashing yellow lights. This is a warning for you to prepare to stop because the children are preparing to leave the bus.
When you come upon a school bus stopped on either side of the road with flashing red lights, you must stop. The flashing red lights are located at the top front and top back of the bus. Schoolchildren will be crossing the road to or from the school bus. Remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing. Failure to do so is a violation of VC 22454. You may be fined up to $1000 and your driving privilege could be suspended for a period of one year.
You need not stop if the bus is on the other side of a divided highway.
Understanding Pictorial Messages
Signs are shape- and color-coded for easy understanding. Stop signs are red octagons with white letters. Yield signs are white with red letters on them. White signs with red drawings are prohibitory signs, generally with a red circle and a slash across the drawing. No left turn sign is such an example.
Green signs indicate you can proceed, if it is safe to do so. You'll also see directional signs with arrows pointing to a destination.
Yellow signs are used to warn of curves, pedestrians, railroads, animals, slippery conditions, or farm equipment. You should reduce speed and exercise caution upon such yellow signs.
Diamond-shaped orange signs are used to warn drivers of construction or maintenance crew on the road ahead.
Not all signs are warning or danger indicators. Blue signs with white drawings give motorists information about roadside services, such as gas, eating facilities or a trailer park.
Public recreational and cultural interest signs are brown with white drawings of a skier, a picnic table, or national park.
Shapes
Octagon: Stop
Triangle: Yield
Round: Railroad crossing
Vertical Rectangle: Regulatory
Pentagon: School
Diamond: Warning
Horizontal Rectangle: Information and guide
The Law: Traffic Control Devices
Official Traffic Control Signals
Whenever traffic is controlled by official traffic control signals showing different colored lights or colored lighted arrows, successively, one at a time, or in combination, only the colors green, yellow and red shall be used. 21450
Circular Green or Green Arrow
A driver facing a circular green signal shall proceed straight through or turn right or left or make a U-turn unless a sign prohibits a U-turn. Any driver, including one turning, shall yield the right-of-way to other traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk. 21452
A driver facing a green signal shall enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by that green arrow or any other movement that is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. A driver facing a left green arrow may also make a U-turn unless prohibited by a sign. 21452
Circular Yellow or Yellow Arrow
A driver or a pedestrian facing a steady circular yellow arrow signal is warned that the related green movement is ending or that a red indication will be shown immediately thereafter. 21452
Circular Red or Red Arrow
A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown. 21453
Lane Use Control Signals
Green indication: A driver may travel in any lane over which a green signal is shown.
Steady yellow indication: A driver is thereby warned that a lane control change is being made.
Steady red indication: A driver shall not enter or travel in any lane over which a red signal is shown.
Flashing yellow indication: A driver may use the lane only for the purpose of making a left turn to or from the highway. 21454
Signal at Other Places
When an official traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, any stop required shall be made at a sign or crosswalk or limit line indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal. 21455
Flashing Signals
Whenever an illuminating flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic signal or with a light sign, it shall require obedience by drivers as follows: flashing red, come to a full stop behind any limit line; flashing yellow, proceed with caution. 21457
Curb Markings
Red indicates no stopping, standing, or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended.
Yellow indicates stopping only for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or freight for the time as may be specified by local ordinance.
White indicates stopping for loading and unloading of passengers and depositing mail.
Green indicates time limit parking specified by local ordinance.
Blue indicates parking limited exclusively to the vehicles of disabled persons and disabled veterans. 21458
Distinctive Roadway Markings
The distinctive roadway markings shall be employed to designate any portion of a highway where the volume of traffic or the vertical or other curvature of the roadway renders it hazardous to drive on the left side of the marking or to indicate no driving to the left. 21459
Double Lines
When double parallel solid lines are in place, no person driving a vehicle shall drive to the left thereof. 21460
Two-way Left-Turn Lane
A two-way left-turn lane is a lane near the center of the highway set aside for use by vehicles making left turns in both directions from or into the highway.
A vehicle shall not be driven in a designated two-way left-turn lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into a highway or and shall not be driven in that lane. 21460.5
Obedience by Driver to Official Traffic Control Devices
It shall be unlawful for any driver of a vehicle to fail to obey any sign or signal erected or maintained. 21461
Obedience to Traffic Control Signals
The driver of any vehicle, the person in charge of any animal, any pedestrian, and the motorman of any streetcar shall obey the instructions of any official traffic signal applicable to him unless otherwise directed by a police or traffic officer. 21462
Stop Required
The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection, or railroad grade crossing shall stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. 22450
Stops: Railroad or Rail Transit Grade Crossings
The driver of any vehicle approaching a railroad or rail transit grade crossing shall stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and shall not proceed until he or she can do so safely. 22451
Railroad Crossings
The following vehicles shall stop before traversing a railroad grade crossing: any bus carrying passengers, any school bus, any motor truck transporting employees, any vehicle transporting explosives, or flammable liquids, and shall not proceed until it is safe to do so. 22452
School Bus
The driver of any vehicle, upon meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any school bus equipped with signs that is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading any school children and displays a flashing red light signal and stop signal arm, shall bring the vehicle to a stop immediately before passing the school bus and shall not proceed past the school bus until the flashing red light signal and stop signal arm cease operation. 22454
111, 139, 173, 187
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