Section 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings

signal ahead

Traffic signals are ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.

merge

Two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction are about to become one. Drivers in both lanes are responsible for merging safely.

y intersection

You must bear either right or left ahead.

bicycle lanes are indicated by

a solid or dashed white line or green pavement markings, and a bicyclist symbol

blue markings

show parking spaces for persons with disabilities.

hill

A steep grade is ahead. Check your brakes.

Low Ground Railroad Crossing

A steep slope where the railroad tracks cross the road may cause the bottom of low vehicles to get caught or drag on the tracks.

Stop Ahead/Yield Ahead

A stop sign or yield sign is ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.

keep right

A traffic island, median or barrier is ahead. Keep to the side indicated by the arrow.

railroad crossing

Advance warning signs are placed before a railroad crossing. These signs warn you to look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicles using the rails.

intersections

An intersection is ahead. Be alert for vehicles entering the road on which you are traveling.

traffic control devices

Barricades, vertical signs, concrete barriers, drums and cones are the most common devices used to guide drivers safely through work zones. When driving near the devices, keep your vehicle in the middle of the lane and obey the posted speed limit. As you leave the work zone, stay in your lane and maintain your speed. Don't change lanes until you are completely clear of the work zone.

Bicycle Crossing/Bike Path

Bicycles regularly cross or ride beside traffic in this area. Drive with caution. A second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the bike crossing.

no left turn

Left turns are against the law. In Virginia, U-turns are considered as two left turns and are illegal if this sign is posted.

red x

Never drive in a lane marked with a red X signal.

blue painted curb

Parking is reserved for persons with disabilities.

Disabled Parking

Parking spaces marked with these signs are reserved for people with disabled parking permits.

reduced speed limit ahead

Prepare to reduce your speed; the speed limit is changing ahead.

no right turn

Right turns are illegal. Do not make a right turn when you see this sign.

sharp right turn

Slow down and be prepared for a sharp right turn in the road ahead.

sharp right and left turns

Slow down and be prepared for the road ahead to turn sharply right, then left.

open joints

Slow down. Open joints on bridges or ramps could cause a motorcyclist to lose control of the motorcycle.

yellow painted curb

Stop only long enough to load or unload. Stay with your car.

white painted curb

Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers

divided highway begins

The highway ahead is split into two separate roadways by a median or divider and each roadway is one-way. Keep right.

divided highway ends

The highway ahead no longer has a median or divider. Traffic goes in both directions. Keep right.

low clearance sign

The overpass ahead has a low clearance. Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown on the sign.

lane reduction

The right lane ends soon. Drivers in the right lane must merge left when space opens up. Drivers in the left lane should allow other vehicles to merge smoothly.

right and left curves

The road ahead curves right, then left. Slow down.

Right Curve with Safe Speed Indicator

The road ahead curves right. Slow down to the safe speed limit indicated.

winding road

The road ahead winds with a series of turns or curves. On all curves, slow down for better control.

T intersection

The roadway you are traveling on ends ahead. Signal before turning right or left.

Yellow X or Yellow Diagonal Downward Arrow

These signals mean that you should move out of the lane as soon as safely possible.

Rough Road, Bump, or Uneven Lanes

These signs are used when certain road conditions, such as loose gravel or road construction, affect the roadway surface and create potentially difficult conditions for motorists, especially motorcyclists.

lane use control

These signs are used where turns are required or where special turning movements are permitted for specific lanes. Traffic in the lane must turn in the direction of the arrow.

Road Construction Ahead - Detour

These signs indicate a change in the traffic pattern or route ahead. Slow down. Unusual or potentially dangerous conditions are ahead.

roundabout

These signs indicate a circular intersection with an island in the center is ahead. Also called rotaries or traffic circles, these intersections may have one or more lanes. Entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to traffic already in the circle.

High Occupancy Vehicle

These signs indicate lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers as specified on the sign.

advisory speed

This sign indicates the maximum safe speed for a highway exit.

Railroad Crossbuck

This sign is a warning of a railroad crossing. Look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicles using the rails. Trains may be approaching from either direction. If there is more than one track, trains may be approaching from either direction on either track

expansion joints

This sign is used when a joint across lanes creates a bump or is wide enough to cause loss of traction in wet weather.

Left Turn Yield on Green

This sign is used with a traffic signal. It tells you that the traffic turning left at a green light does not have the right-of-way and must yield to traffic coming from the other direction. Stop and look for oncoming traffic, then proceed with caution.

do not pass

This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane, even if the way is clear.

no passing zone

This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane, even if the way is clear.

one way

Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.

No U-Turn

U-turns are illegal. Do not make a U-turn when you see this sign.

pedestrian crossing

Watch for people entering a crosswalk or crossing your path. Slow down and be prepared to stop. A second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the crosswalk.

slippery when wet

When pavement is wet, reduce your speed. Do not brake hard or change direction suddenly. Increase the distance between your car and the one ahead of you.

out of service signals

When traffic signals are not working because of a power outage or other problem and not displaying any lights, you are required to stop, proceeding through the intersection as though it were an all-way stop. This does not apply if a law enforcement officer or other authorized person is directing traffic at the intersection, or if portable stop signs are in use.

green arrow

You are permitted to drive in a lane marked with a green arrow signal.

left turn arrow

You are permitted to enter in a lane marked with a one-way or two-way arrow only to turn in the direction of the arrow.

green light or arrow

You may go if the way is clear. You may go in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear. If turning without a green arrow, you must yield the right of way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection.

No turn on red

You may not turn on the red light. Wait for the signal to turn green.

message boards

You may see portable or permanent message boards along roadways. They provide information about traffic, road, weather or other hazardous conditions. Always obey any directions posted on these message boards.

red markings

are generally not used; but, some communities do use red curbs to indicate no parking zones.

flashing red arrow

at a flashing red arrow, come to a complete stop, yield the right of way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection, and proceed in the direction of the arrow when the way is clear

yellow light or arrow

cautions warning that the light is about to change. If you have not entered the intersection, stop; or, if unsafe to stop, cautiously go through it. If you are already in the intersection, go through it cautiously.

flashing red light

come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians. You may go when the way is clear. At a railroad crossing, you must come to a complete stop even if you don't see a train

High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes are marked on highways by a

diamond shape in the center of the lane

flashing arrow boards

direct drivers to proceed into different traffic lanes and inform them that part of the road ahead is closed

If both sides of the center lane are marked by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line

drivers traveling in either direction may use the lane for making left turns, however, they may not travel further than 150 feet in this lane

If your car stalls on the rail tracks and you see or hear a train coming, you should

get out of the car right away and run diagonally away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train

horizontal signs

give directions or information

vertical signs

give instructions or tell you the law

flaggers

highway workers who normally wear orange or yellow vests, or yellow-green shirts or jackets. They use STOP/SLOW paddles or red flags to stop or direct traffic through the work zone, and to let other workers or construction vehicles cross the road

lane use signals

indicate lanes where you can and cannot drive during different hours of the day.

yield line

is a line of triangles extending across the roadway that may be used with a yield sign to show the point at which you must yield or stop, if necessary. A yield line is often seen at the entrance of a roundabout.

Double solid yellow lines

mark the center of the road and separate traffic traveling in two different directions. Passing is not allowed in either direction. You may not cross the lines unless you are making a left turn.

pentagon (5 sided)

marks school zones and warns you about school crossings. Two signs may be used together to show the actual location of the crosswalk.

Broken yellow center lines

mean that passing on the left is allowed in either direction when the way ahead is clear.

Yellow center lines

mean two-way traffic, flowing in opposite directions.

flashing yellow light

means slow down and proceed with caution. They are at locations with higher-than-normal hazardous conditions

a broken yellow line alongside a solid yellow line

means that passing is allowed from the side of the broken line, but not from the side of the solid line.

school buses

must always stop at railroad crossings, even when the lights are not flashing

the driver on the LEFT

must yield to the driver on the RIGHT

Red reflectors

on the pavement show areas not to be entered or used. They are positioned on the road surface so that only traffic flowing in the wrong direction would observe them.

on three-lane roads with traffic moving in both directions,

road markings show when drivers may use the center lane for making left turns or for passing

double solid white lines

separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Most often they are used to designate special use lane from conventional lanes, as when used to separate a High Occupancy Vehicle lanes from the other lanes of an expressway. You may not cross these lines. You may enter the designated special use lane only where signs and markings allow.

Broken white lines

separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, you may change lanes with caution

solid white lines

show turn lanes and discourage lane changes near intersections, and at other locations where lane changes might be dangerous. Solid white lines also mark the right edge of pavement. Arrows used with white lines indicate which turn may be made from the lane. Stop lines, crosswalks and parking spaces also are marked by white lines.

you may not turn left on red if

signs are posted at the intersection that read "No Turn on Red", or if a red arrow pointing to the left is displayed

you may not turn right on red if

signs are posted at the intersection that read "No Turn on Red," or if a red arrow pointing to the right is displayed.

right curve - side road

the road ahead curves right and a side road joins from the left within the curve

you may turn right on red if

the traffic signal displays a red light.

diamond

these signs warn you of special conditions or hazards ahead, slow down and drive with caution. Be ready to stop

slow moving vehicles

travel at 25 MPH or less, such as farm equipment and horse-drawn vehicles, must display these signs when using a public highway. Be prepared to adjust your speed or position when you see a vehicle with one of these signs.

you may turn left at a red light if

you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street

If you are convicted of exceeding the speed limit in a highway work zone

you may be fined up to $500

on an unmarked two-lane road,

you may pass a slow moving vehicle on the left side if there are no signs prohibiting passing

flashing yellow arrow

you may turn in the direction of the arrow, if the way is clear. Yield the right-of-way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection. If a traffic light changes from red to flashing yellow arrow while a pedestrian is in the intersection, allow the pedestrian to cross the street before turning

White lane arrows are curved or straight

If you are in a lane marked with a curved arrow or a curved arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in the direction of the arrow. If your lane is marked with both a curved and straight arrow, you may turn or go straight.

red light

come to a complete stop at the stop line

If a dangerous condition exists at a rail crossing

Call the number listed on the emergency sign. This will allow the rail company to stop or reroute approaching rail traffic until the hazard is removed. Be sure to give the posted crossing number so that the hazard can be identified correctly

deer crossing

Deer cross the roadway in this area. Slow down, be alert and be ready to stop.

Red painted curb

Do not stop, stand or park.

Railroad Crossbuck and Flashing Lights

Flashing lights may be used with crossbuck signs. Always stop when the light begins to flash and be alert for approaching trains. Do not proceed until all trains or any other vehicles using the rails have passed, the tracks are clear, and the lights are no longer flashing. Be especially alert at multi-track crossings because a second train could be approaching from the opposite direction.

Crossbuck, Flashing Lights and Gate

Gates are used with flashing light signals at some crossings. Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers. Remain stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing. Do not attempt to drive around the lowered gate.