Traffic sign facts for kids

"Signpost" redirects here. For the English Wikipedia's newspaper, see The Signpost.

A "route confirmation" sign on the Warrego Highway in Queensland, Australia. It shows how far it is (in kilometres) to the places listed.

Fingerposts and other road signs in the English village of Sturminster Marshall, near Poole.

Traffic signs or road signs are special signs placed next to or above roads. They give instructions or information to people using the road, like drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The very first signs were simple wooden or stone markers called milestones. Later, signs with arms pointing in different directions were used, like the fingerposts you can still see in the United Kingdom.

Traffic sign in London.

As more and more cars appeared after the 1930s, many countries started using signs with pictures (called pictograms). This helped people understand the signs even if they spoke different languages. It also made roads safer. These picture signs use symbols instead of words. They are often based on international rules. Europe was the first to develop these kinds of signs. Now, most countries use them in some way.

Road sign for a roundabout leading to highways 1, 2 and 3 in Mariehamn, Åland.

A sign in Australia reminding drivers to carry enough supplies before going into remote areas.

Why Are Road Signs Similar Around the World?
Types of Traffic Signs
The History of Road Signs
Cars That "Read" Signs
Images for kids
See also

Why Are Road Signs Similar Around the World?

Sign warning of cattle crossing on a rural road of Madeira Island, Portugal.

Countries try to make their traffic signs similar to each other. This helps drivers who travel between different countries. One important agreement that helps with this is the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Many countries have signed this agreement. This means they agree to use similar types of signs. This helps avoid confusion and makes roads safer for everyone.

Types of Traffic Signs

Traffic signs can be put into different groups based on what they tell you. The Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals lists eight main types of signs:

A. Danger warning signs: These signs tell you about possible dangers ahead, like a sharp curve.
B. Priority signs: These signs tell you who has the right-of-way at an intersection.
C. Prohibitory or restrictive signs: These signs tell you what you are not allowed to do, like "no entry."
D. Mandatory signs: These signs tell you what you must do, like "turn left ahead."
E. Special regulation signs: These signs give specific rules for a certain area.
F. Information, facilities, or service signs: These signs give helpful information, like where a hospital is.
G. Direction, position, or indication signs: These signs tell you which way to go to reach a place.
H. Additional panels: These are smaller signs placed below other signs to give more details.

Five or more signs may be displayed on one post. Here a Canadian end-of-road marker appears together with a rural airport sign.

Speed limit traffic sign in Jordan.

In some countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, signs are grouped a bit differently:

Regulatory signs: These signs tell you about traffic laws, like speed limits or stop signs.
Warning signs: These signs warn you about hazards, like a deer crossing.
Guide signs: These signs help you find your way. They include:
- Street name signs: Show the name of a street.
- Route marker signs: Show the number of a highway.
- Expressway and Freeway signs: Help you navigate major highways.
- Welcome signs: Greet you when you enter a town or state.
- Informational signs: Give general information.
- Recreation and cultural interest signs: Point to parks or historical sites.
Emergency management signs: Used for civil defense or emergencies.
Temporary traffic control signs: Used in construction or work zones.
School signs: Warn drivers about schools or school crossings.
Railroad and light rail signs: Warn about train tracks.
Bicycle signs: Help cyclists find bike paths or lanes.

In the United States, the rules for traffic signs are found in a book called the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. This book makes sure that signs are the same everywhere in the country.

On big roads like expressways, you often see signs that help you prepare for an exit. These are called "advance directional signs." They appear a certain distance before the exit. This gives drivers time to change lanes or slow down. On motorways, the first sign for an exit is usually placed at least 1,000 meters (about 0.6 miles) away.

The History of Road Signs

An old road sign of the King's Road between Perniö and Ekenäs in Finland.

The very first road signs were milestones. These were stone markers that told travelers how far they were from a city. For example, the Romans put up stone columns all over their empire showing the distance to Rome. In the Middle Ages, signs at crossroads became common. They pointed to different cities and towns.

In 1686, the first known traffic law in Europe was made in Portugal. King Peter II of Portugal ordered signs to be put up in the narrow streets of Lisbon. These signs told drivers which way should back up to let others pass. One of these old signs can still be seen today!

Modern road signs started to appear in the late 1870s. They were made for people riding bicycles. These early bicycles were fast and hard to control. Riders often traveled long distances on roads they didn't know. So, cycling groups started putting up signs to warn riders about dangers like steep hills. This was a new idea, as signs used to only give directions or distances.

When cars became popular, even more complex signs were needed. One of the first modern road sign systems was created by the Italian Touring Club in 1895. By 1909, nine European governments agreed to use four simple picture symbols. These symbols showed a "bump," a "curve," an "intersection," and a "railroad crossing." This was a big step towards making signs the same everywhere.

Over the years, signs changed how they were made. Early signs were stone or wood. Then, people started using painted cast iron. After 1945, most signs were made from aluminum sheets with special plastic coatings. These coatings make the signs reflective, so you can see them at night or in low light. Before this, glass reflectors were used in the letters and symbols to make them shine.

Today, some traffic signs are electronic. They can change their messages or symbols. This allows them to give real-time information about traffic or road conditions. Some cars even have cameras that can "read" traffic signs. This helps drivers know the speed limit or if they are in a "no overtaking" zone.

A Roman milestone.
A 17th-century traffic sign in Salvador street, Lisbon, Portugal. It tells traffic coming from Salvador's entrance to back up.
A speed camera sign used in many countries.

Cars That "Read" Signs

Some newer cars have cameras that can automatically recognize traffic signs. This technology started appearing around 2008. It mainly helps cars "see" speed limits and "no overtaking" signs. It can also use GPS and maps to know speed limits, which is helpful in cities where the speed limit is often shown by a city name sign instead of a separate speed limit sign.

Images for kids

Peep, Peep - Don't Sleep. Sign in Ladakh.
Enjoy the works you do and do the best you can. Sign on road from Leh to Key Monastery.
"Failure is not a crime - but lack of effort is." Sign on Leh to Nubra road.
Road sign in Europe: no vehicles carrying explosives.
Sign north of Nome, Alaska, warning about the road and unpopulated area ahead.
"Know AIDS - No AIDs". Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India.
"After Whisky Driving Risky". Lahaul, India.
"If Married Divorce Speed". Ladakh, India.
Pedestrian crossing sign in Finland.
Cycleway sign (white) in Finland.
A sign for wild animals. Germany, Poland, Latvia, Spain and Turkey use a very similar sign.
Romantic Road sign in southern Germany (note the Alps in the background).
Pedestrian crossing Slow sign in Buting, Pasig, Philippines.
A Turkish motorway sign.
Sign close to Chicana on the Mexican Federal Highway 186, Campeche, Mexico.
The design specifications for a Taiwanese sign warning of double bends ahead. Translated directly, it means that there are winding roads for the next ten kilometres.
A group of green-coloured directional signs on the National Highway No. 1 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Stop sign in Australia.
Traffic signal ahead sign in the United States.
A yield sign in Mexico.