With road signs vocabulary we often refer to milestones when we give directions to help the other person. These places can be in a city and part of the road system.
Traffic lights are very universal, but each has a meaning that can be expressed in words and graphic depending on countries and laws.
Road signs vocabulary
Here are some common terms explained with road signs vocabulary with meanings and pictures:
1. Taxi rank
- A place where taxis line up for passengers.
2. Level crossing
- Where road and rail meet. There are barriers that rise and fall to indicate when the train will arrive.
3. Underpass
- A walkway that passes under a busy road so that pedestrians can reach the other side safely.
4. Overpass / flyover
- A road that passes over another road (or railroad).
5. Zebra crossing / Pedestrian crossing
- Black and white signs on the road for pedestrians to cross (the signs look like zebra stripes).
6. Tunnel
- A road under the mountains (or crossing).
7. Crossroads
- An intersection of two or more roads.
8. Junction
- Roads or railways, come together.
9. Fork in the road
- Literally, the point at which one road splits or separates off into other roads.
10. Turning
- A place where a road branches off another.
11. Main road
- A major road, typically one with a large amount of traffic.
12. Lane
- A small road, or part of a road (left lane/right lane; bus lane).
13. No entry
- This means that you are not allowed to enter a certain area or pass through a certain gate or road.
14. Give way (yield)
- Means to slow down and, if necessary, stop in order to prevent a crash from happening.
15. One-way traffic
- One-way traffic (or uni-directional traffic) is traffic that moves in a single direction. A one-way street is a street either facilitating only one-way traffic, or designed to direct vehicles to move in one direction.
16. No straight ahead
- This sign prohibits straight-through movements, and requires that the vehicle turn to either the left or right.
See: 13 Confused Words With Meanings and Pictures in English
17. No two-way traffic
- This indicates that the traffic flow is allowed in only one direction. The way beyond this sign restricts entry of the traffic however, the oncoming traffic flow remains normal.
18. Motor vehicles prohibited
- This sign signifies that there should no movement of traffic in the designated area either from outside or within. This is used to decongest the area. It is also used at pedestrian areas.
19. No motorcycles
- It may mean that you are not allowed to ride motorcycles on this road.
20. No bicycles
- In order to ensure the safety of Cyclists, certain roads, which are meant for fast moving vehicles are prohibited for Cyclists. So the Cyclists should not use the roads where this sign has been installed.
21. No pedestrians
- This sign restricts the movement of pedestrian on road or the adjoining area. This could be lane for fast moving vehicles, highways etc. This could be installed at intersection where alternate crossing arrangements like underpass, foot over bridge etc are there for crossing the road.
22. No heavy vehicles
- As sign itself speaks the area designated is a no entry zone for Trucks or HMV. These could be narrow lanes or congested areas where entry of heavy transport vehicle could obstruct smooth flow of traffic.
23. No left turn
- This sign directs driver not to turn towards left side in any circumstance.
24. No right turn
- This sign directs driver not to turn towards right side in any circumstance.
25. No u-turn
- This sign can be seen at some of the busy intersection on roads. The U turn at these intersections could result in major accidents or traffic jams. The driver should not violate this sign to avoid fine and any untoward incident.
26. No overtaking
- With superhighways and advancement in automobile technology speed of vehicles has increased manifold. With this overtaking has come as a maneuver to save time on road. But some place where the roads are narrow, at bridges, at turns Overtaking becomes dangerous. At these place this sign is installed which prohibit overtaking ensuring safety.
27. Speed limit
- The maximum speed 30 that the vehicle is legally allowed to travel, such as in a certain area, on a particular road, or under certain conditions.
28. Weight limit
- Weight limit signs carrying the legend are used to indicate the maximum gross vehicle weight (including equipment being towed by the vehicle) that can safely cross the bridge. An axle weight limit sign applies to axle weight rather than gross load.
29. Length limit
- This sign on road indicates that length of the vehicle, which can be maneuvered through that passage. It could be a sharp turn, a hairpin bend etc. This is meant for long and oversized vehicle, which cannot negotiate a safe turn.
30. Height limit
- There are certain roads which pass under bridges, railway lines etc. of low height. To avoid any untoward incident authorities earmark height of vehicle which can easily pass under the bridge. The specified limit should be strictly adhered to avoid accidents and penal action.
31. No parking
- This sign is very significant in major cities. It prohibits parking of a vehicle in designated area. Any vehicle parked here is towed away and occupant/driver is liable to penal action. Therefore, drivers should park their vehicle in authorized parking areas only.
32. No horn
- Excessive and unnecessary honking is treated as unruly behavior in modern society. However there are silence zones where honking is completely prohibited like near hospitals, schools etc. This sign directs driver to respect the silence zone and not to use horn.
See: Shapes Names: Geometric Shapes With Picture in English
33. No animal carts
- The sign indicates that animal carts do not pass because the roads are not prepared due to the speed of the road or the reasons for the law of the region.
34. Left curve ahead
- The roadway ahead curves to the left. Slow your speed and keep well to the right. The sign may be accompanied by an advisory speed placard, helping you navigate the curve safely.
35. Right curve ahead
- Means a right curve with safe speed indicator.
36. Roundabout ahead
- The sign indicates to drivers that they must give way, and stop if necessary, before entering the roundabout, and must not proceed until it is safe to do so.
37. Traffic signals ahead
- The sign warns drivers of a downstream set of traffic control signals which drivers are failing to notice in time to safely respond.
38. Level crossing ahead
- Indicates a railway corridor guarded by a person. The driver should take extra precautions and act accordingly.
39. Uneven road ahead
- This sign warns you of an uneven road ahead. It might have multiple severe bumps and general uneven surfaces that could throw your vehicle off its line, so slow down. Vehicles with low suspension could be at risk of scraping the road surface.
40. Narrow bridge ahead
- The narrow bridge sign is a warning sign. It looks very similar to the narrow road sign, but indicates that the bridge ahead is more narrow than the road the driver is currently on.
41. Stop
- This sign indicates that the driver must stop. This sign mostly appears in public squares, police or traffic checkpoints.
42. Road work sign
- A men at work sign is a warning sign. Men at work signs indicate that road workers are in or near the roadway. Drivers should be alert and prepared to slow down or stop if they encounter this sign. Oftentimes the men at work signs are posted in construction zones where speed limits are reduced.
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