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20 Road Signs You Can Afford to Miss: An In-Depth Guide to Frequently Overlooked Signage

Melvin Blair

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Published in Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

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As you navigate the roads, it's essential to be aware of all traffic signs. However, certain signs often go unnoticed or misinterpreted, potentially leading to confusion and even dangerous situations. This comprehensive guide will shed light on 20 frequently overlooked road signs, empowering you to become a more informed and vigilant driver.

Driving the Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can't Afford to Miss

by Janice Reals Ellig

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1416 KB
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Print length	:	288 pages
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1. Advisory Speed Sign

An Advisory Speed Sign Displayed As A Yellow Diamond With Black Text Indicating A Suggested Speed Limit. Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

Meaning: Advises drivers of a recommended speed for a specific road section, typically due to curves, hills, or other potential hazards.

Why It's Overlooked: Motorists may mistake it for a mandatory speed limit sign and feel compelled to adhere strictly to the posted speed.

2. Yield to Pedestrians Sign

A Yield To Pedestrians Sign Displayed As A Triangular, Inverted Yellow Sign With A Black Pedestrian Figure. Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

Meaning: Indicates an intersection where vehicles must yield to pedestrians crossing or entering the roadway.

Why It's Overlooked: Drivers may assume that pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections, regardless of signage.

3. School Crossing Sign

A School Crossing Sign Displayed As A Yellow Diamond With Black Text And A Child Figure. Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

Meaning: Alerts drivers that they are approaching a school crossing and must be prepared to stop for children crossing the road.

Why It's Overlooked: Motorists may not notice the sign or underestimate the distance to the crossing, leading to potential accidents.

4. Stop Line Sign

A Stop Line Sign Displayed As A Thick White Line Painted On The Road. Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

Meaning: Indicates the point where vehicles must come to a complete stop at an intersection with stop signs or traffic signals.

Why It's Overlooked: Drivers may approach the intersection too fast or fail to pay attention to the stop line, resulting in rolling stops or accidents.

5. Lane Merge Sign

A Lane Merge Sign Displayed As A Yellow Diamond With Black Chevrons Indicating The Direction Of The Merging Lane. Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

Meaning: Advises drivers that two lanes are merging into one lane and they must adjust accordingly.

Why It's Overlooked: Motorists may be distracted or fail to anticipate the lane merge, leading to abrupt maneuvers or accidents.

6. Wrong Way Sign

Meaning: Indicates that vehicles are traveling in the opposite direction of a one-way street or roadway.

Why It's Overlooked: Motorists may enter a road at the wrong end or fail to notice the sign due to poor visibility or distractions.

7. Keep Right Sign

Meaning: Directs traffic to stay in the right-hand lane, typically used in multi-lane roads or before an exit.

Why It's Overlooked: Drivers may not realize that they are in the wrong lane or fail to pay attention to the signage, leading to improper lane changes.

8. Truck Route Sign

A Truck Route Sign Displayed As A Blue Square Sign With A White Truck Symbol. Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

Meaning: Indicates a designated route for trucks and heavy vehicles, bypassing residential or congested areas.

Why It's Overlooked: Motorists may not realize that they are driving on a truck route or may ignore the sign if they are not operating a heavy vehicle.

9. Speed Bump Sign

A Speed Bump Sign Displayed As A Yellow Diamond With Black Chevrons And A Speed Bump Symbol. Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

Meaning: Warns drivers of an upcoming speed bump, usually installed in school zones, parking lots, or residential areas to reduce vehicle speed.

Why It's Overlooked: Motorists may not notice the sign or may not anticipate the presence of a speed bump, potentially causing damage to their vehicle or discomfort to passengers.

10. No U-Turn Sign

Meaning: Prohibits vehicles from making U-turns at a specific location, typically to prevent traffic congestion or maintain safety.

Why It's Overlooked: Drivers may not notice the sign or may believe that they are permitted to make a U-turn if there is no oncoming traffic.

11. No Parking Sign

A No Parking Sign Displayed As A White Square With A Red Diagonal Line And A Black Driving The Career Highway: 20 Road Signs You Can T Afford To Miss

Meaning: Indicates that parking is prohibited in a designated area, enforced by local regulations or parking enforcement officers.

Why It's Overlooked: Motorists may assume that parking is allowed if they do not see a "No Parking" sign or may disregard the sign if they believe they will not be caught.

12. One-Way Sign

Meaning: Indicates that traffic is permitted to travel in only one direction on a specific roadway.

Why It's Overlooked: Drivers may enter a road at the wrong end or fail to notice the sign, resulting in serious accidents or traffic violations.

13. Dead End Sign

Meaning: Warns drivers that a road or lane is coming to an end and they should turn around or find an alternative route.

Why It's Overlooked: Motorists may not notice the sign or may ignore it if they believe they can continue driving through or around the end of the road.