TRAFFIC SIGNS
Traffic signs control the flow of traffic, warn you of hazards
ahead, guide you to your destination, and inform you of
roadway services. As indicated below, traffic signs are
intentionally color coded to assist the operator.
RED - stop
GREEN - direction
YELLOW - general warning
BLACK/WHITE - regulation
BLUE - motorist service (e.g., gas, food, hotels)
BROWN - recreational, historic, or scenic site
ORANGE - construction or maintenance warning
STOP AND YIELD SIGNS
The STOP sign always means come to a
complete halt and applies to each vehicle
that comes to the sign. You must stop before
any crosswalk or stop line painted on the
pavement. Come to a complete stop, yield to
pedestrians or other vehicles, and proceed
carefully. Simply slowing down is not enough.
If a 4-WAY or ALL WAY sign is added to a
STOP sign at an intersection, all traffic
approaching the intersection must stop. The
first vehicle in the intersection of a four-way
stop has the right of way.
When you see a YIELD sign, slow down and
be prepared to stop. Let traffic, pedestrians, or
bicycles pass before you enter the intersection
or join another roadway. You must come to a
complete stop if traffic conditions require it.
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REGULATORY SIGNS
The United States is now using an international system of
traffic control signs that feature pictures and symbols rather
than words. The red-and-white YIELD and DO NOT ENTER
signs prohibit access or movement.
WARNING SIGNS
Yellow warning signs alert you to hazards
or changes in conditions ahead. Changes
in road layout, proximity to a school zone,
or some special situation are examples of
warning signs. Slow down and obey the
sign. Disregarding a warning sign is not
only dangerous, it is against the law.
GUIDE SIGNS
In the guide signs category you
will find route markers, distance-
and-destination signs, and
informational signs.
Green signs give highway directions and guide you through
highway interchanges.
Blue signs list motorist services, like gas, food, and lodging.
Brown signs direct you to public recreational areas, state and
national parks, historical points of interest, and scenic sites.
In Massachusetts, numbered state highway routes are posted
on white, rectangular signs with black letters and borders.
Interstate highway signs are blue, red, and white shields.
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
ROAD WORK WARNINGS
When people are repairing or constructing
roadways, their work areas are protected from
Drum
traffic by orange warning signs and other
devices. These signs and devices may be
mounted with warning flags or yellow flashing
lights. These warnings help to guide
Barricade
pedestrians and vehicle traffic safely through a
work zone and past any hazards.
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Many of these warning signs use the same
symbols as yellow warning signs, but you
should take extra care when orange signs
Tubuar Marker are posted. Traffic and road conditions
around work zones often change quickly.
In addition to posting orange warning signs,
road work crews can use a number of
channeling devices to keep traffic in lanes
Traffic cone and away from hazards. Sometimes,
electric warning arrow signs will direct
traffic flow near a work zone.
When a flag person or police officer is
directing traffic around a work zone, you
must obey the flagger’s or officer’s signals
or directions.
Work zone flag
person Know signs by their appearances so you
can recognize them at a distance.
Stop School Zone Guide/Information
Yield Regulation No Passing Zone
Warning Railroad Crossing Interstate Highway
Know traffic signs by their shapes
Lighted directional signs
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REGULATORY WARNING
Traffic signal
ahead School zone
Lane merging
from right,
No right turn watch for other
traffic
Traffic moves only Stop ahead
in one direction School crossing
No left turn Road narrows
or right lane
ends
Maximum
height allowed
No U turn You may not
overtake another
vehicle Road slippery
Road curves when wet
left
Divided
highway begins
You may not turn
Area off paved
right after stopping
road is soft dirt
at a red light
and could be
Winding road,
hazardous Divided
All traffic must go left do not pass
highway ends
No pedestrians
You may not
Crossroad Pedestrian cross the yellow
Keep to the right of ahead crossing line to pass
the upcoming median
or lane divider
Road entering Deer crossing Playground
from the right
No trucks
No parking allowed
between posted Road ends at Traffic may Two-way traffic
hours junction flow on both
sides of sign
No bicycles
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GUIDES & DIRECTIONS ROAD WORK
Interstate
highway route Information Gas Road work
marker
Detour
U.S. highway Hospital Lodging
route marker
Lane closing
Massachusetts Telephone Food
state highway
route marker
Road crew flag
person ahead
Access for those
with disabilities Picnic area
Work in
progress on the
Highway rest area side of the road
Junction with a Scenic overlook
numbered route
ahead
Maintenance or public
Highway utility crew ahead
Destination mile Motorist services
directions markers
Notice
Notice of
Parking Point of interest
destination - Exit
facilities
Roadway detour
Destination Notice of directions
Freeway interchange sign
distances, highway exits,
in miles in miles
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RAILROAD CROSSINGS
A round warning sign will usually alert you to an
upcoming railroad crossing. When you see this
sign, slow down and prepare to stop. If you see
or hear a train approaching, do not speed up
and try to beat the train to the crossing. Railroad
crossing
ahead
The point at which train tracks cross a road is
marked with a white crossbuck sign. If more
than one track crosses a road, the number of
tracks is posted below the crossbuck.
A railroad crossing may also feature red flashing
lights, a bell, and a red-and-white striped gate
Railroad
that is lowered across the roadway when a train Pedestrian Gate
is passing. If the lights begin to flash, you must
stop at least 15 feet before the light post or gate
and remain stopped until the gate raises and the
lights stop flashing. Failure to stop is a violation
that carries a heavy fine. Even if you don’t see a Railroad
crossbuck
train approaching, never drive around a lowered
gate or ignore the flashing lights.
PAVEMENT MARKINGS
Lines, symbols, and words painted on a roadway help to direct
riders and control traffic flow. You must know what the different
lines and colors mean and obey them as you would traffic
signs or signals.
White and yellow lines are used along pavement edges and
between lanes to keep vehicles in line. These lines may be
solid or broken (long dashes), single or double. A solid white or
solid yellow line that turns into a dotted line (short dashes) is a
continuation of the line through an intersection or a highway
interchange.
Unless you are turning, exiting a highway, or changing lanes,
always stay between the lines marking your lane.
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