Warning sign
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A traffic warning sign is a type of traffic sign that indicates a hazard ahead on the road.
In most countries outside of North America, they often take the shape of an equilateral triangle with a thick red border and a white background.
In the People's Republic of China, however, they appear with a black border and a yellow background. In Sweden, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia, Finland, Slovenia and (former Yugoslav) Republic of Macedonia they have a red border with a yellow background. This is due to the weather, as it is easier to see a red/yellow sign in the snowy weather then a red/white sign.
In the United States and Canada, warning signs are black on yellow and usually diamond-shaped, and construction signs are black on orange. Ireland also adopted these standards, diverging from UK standards. Some other countries also use these standards for some signage.
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Warning signs
Warning signs can indicate any potential hazard, such as:
General Caution
Non-specific warning to pay attention, the word "Caution," often for ambiguous reasons.
Obstacles
Diamond-shaped with reflectors are placed at point of curbs, dividers, or other lane obstacles. Rectangular signs with diagonal stripes indicate solid objects such as barricades, bridge abutments, utility poles or natural obstacles near the roadway. Left side obstacles are marked with stripes running high to low, left to right; right side obstacle signs use stripes running high to low, right to left; in a sense akin to International symbol of arrow pointing down toward side toward roadway.
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Things Near or Crossing the Roadway
Warns of wild animals (moose, bear, elk, deer, wallabies, kangaroos, aligators, etc) or farm animals (cows, horses, ducks, sheep) that may stray onto the road. Also equipment (tractors, forklifts, snowmobiles, golf carts, bicycles) crossing or traveling along the road. In the United States, a SHARE THE ROAD plaque is sometimes placed below these warning signs when used in this manner.
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Road works or construction
Indicates road works (construction), poor roads, or temporary conditions ahead on the road including: flagmen, survey crew, single-lane, detour, bridge out, utility crew ahead, blasting area, bump, dip, frost heaves, flooding (or "High water"), soft shoulder, uneven pavement, freshly oiled road, loose gravel, smoke on road, trucks entering, etc.
Bends and Turns
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Used to indicate unexpected bends in the road, some being continuous, others being sharp-ended (right-angle turns). Left curve, right curve, series of curves. May also indicate direction of intersections along the upcoming curve. Also used to indicate "merge" with other traffic, as for an on-ramp of a limite-access highway.
Tunnels
Used to indicate tunnels, where lights are usually required, and a general change in the light level. May also indicate low ceiling clearance. Truck drivers should also watch for prohibited cargo signs (e.g., Hazmat, propane, explosives) upon approach to tunnels.
Bridges
Used where traffic may be constricted to a narrow bridge, or where the bridge may have a movable span closed to vehicles while boats pass (e.g., drawbridge or floating bridge). Also used for underpass to indicate low overhead clearance.
Traffic Lights
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Used to indicate traffic lights, present when it is difficult to see that a traffic light may already be showing red, to warn a driver to prepare to slow down. May be supplemented with flashing light or lighted sign when light is red or turning red.
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Warning Signs for Regulatory Signs
As for traffic signals, above, some "stop" or "yield" signs may require additional warning or reminder, especially in dense areas or where the sign has been added recently.
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Level Crossings and Intersections
Warns drivers of road crossings at even level (crossroads, T-intersection, forks (Y-intersection), rotary/roundabout). May also indicate "hidden driveway" intersecting the road ahead. (Compare with bridges/overpasses/viaducts).
Lane Starts/ends
Indicates when a multilane highway is being narrowed, a passing lane is ending, or where the road is widening or a passing lane starting. Another type is used to indicate central "two-way" left turning lane in center of roadway. Warning signs may also warn of "Highway ends", where the road changes class or type. Also used for "dead end" or "no outlet" roadways.
No Passing Zone
Vertical yellow sign in triangular shape (in U.S.) to supplement solid yellow lane stripe where it is dangerous to overtake another vehicle, especially where roadway may be obscured by snow or other precipitation.
Pedestrians
Used to warn drivers of people walking in the street. Also used to warn of children playing, playgrounds, bicycle area, deaf child, blind pedestrians, and thickly settled zones where pedestrians may enter the road.
In parts of the United States near the southern border with Mexico, there are warning signs showing a running family. This is to warn motorists to look out for illegal immigrants who try to escape authorities by running through freeway traffic.
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Schools
For school zones (slow down), student crossings (pointed at top), crossing guards or signals ahead.
Fire stations
Warning upon approach to where firefighters may be entering the road with fire engines or other emergency apparatus, where other drivers will have to stop and wait until they pass.
Oncoming Traffic
Used to warn people of oncoming traffic; shown when a motorway becomes a dual carriageway or a normal road without a central reservation or median.
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Railway Crossings
Used to warn people of railway crossings ahead. The actual crossing is marked with crossed "Railroad Crossing" sawbuck signs (Stop, look, listen) and possibly lights, bells, and barriers.
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Falling Rocks
Used to indicate the hazards of fallen or falling rocks on the road ahead. May be works or pictographs. May be "Fallen rock", "falling rock", or "rock slide" areas posted as such.
The Unexpected
For example, a warning sign with the image of an aircraft in the middle of it indicates an airport or airfield, where drivers should be prepared for low-flying aircraft.
General dangers are signalled by placing a black exclamation mark in the middle of the red triangle.
Road conditions
"Slippery when wet", warnings for motorcyclists of "grooved pavement", "Open joints on bridge", "Icy Road", "Bridge freezes before roadway," also "bump" or "dip" ahead (not related to construction). Truck drivers will need to pay attention to "Steep grade" warnings (or "Down grade, use lower gear"), sometimes posted with the percent grade (e.g., 5 percent), but they may be relieved to see "Runaway truck escape" near the bottom of the hill! The U.K. has a sign warning of "Adverse camber" on a curve. Also "Loose gravel", "Soft shoulder", "Speed hump", and "Watch for Ice."
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Side Wind
Flying socks, as indicated by a windsock in a red triangle, indicate locations where a strong side wind may cause the trajectory of the moving vehicle to change drastically, perhaps even "flying" across lanes, causing an accident.
Slow Down
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Used at least in U.S. and China, this sign advises drivers to slow down.
Merge To Stay With Through Traffic
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