Every sign has a story.

Notice hazards and changes in the road ahead.

Added lane

Yellow diamond; two upward arrows with a new lane joining.

An extra lane begins ahead. Notice how traffic lanes continue as you approach.

Bicycle crossing

Yellow diamond; bicycle symbol.

Watch for bicyclists entering or crossing the road. Slow down and share the road safely.

Buggy warning

Yellow diamond; horse and buggy.

Expect horse-drawn vehicles. Reduce speed and give them room.

Cattle crossing

Yellow diamond; cow silhouette.

Cattle may enter or cross the road. Slow down and watch the roadside.

Narrow bridge

Yellow diamond; bridge edges narrow inward.

The bridge ahead is narrower than the approaching roadway. Reduce speed and keep within your lane.

Object markers

Paired panels with diagonal black and yellow stripes.

Mark an obstruction or roadway edge. Follow the marked path around the hazard; these paired examples show the sides of an opening.

Intersection ahead

Yellow diamond; black cross.

A crossroad is ahead. Watch for traffic approaching from either side.

Curve ahead

Yellow diamond; curved right arrow.

The road curves right ahead. Adjust your speed before the curve.

Deer crossing

Yellow diamond; deer silhouette.

Deer may cross the roadway. Watch the edges of the road and be ready to slow down.

Golf cart crossing

Yellow diamond; golf cart.

Golf carts may enter or cross the road. Watch for slower vehicles.

Be prepared to stop

Yellow diamond; BE PREPARED TO STOP.

Traffic conditions ahead may require a stop. Slow down, look ahead, and allow stopping space.

Sharp turn — slow down

Yellow diamond; sharply bent left arrow.

A sharp left turn is ahead. Slow down before reaching it.

Divided highway begins

Yellow diamond; arrows separating around a median.

A divided roadway begins ahead. Keep to the right of the divider.

Farm machinery

Yellow diamond; tractor.

Expect farm equipment that may move slowly or enter the roadway. Give it space.

Fire station

Yellow diamond; fire engine.

A fire station is nearby. Watch for emergency vehicles entering the road.

Lane ends

Yellow diamond; one lane edge converges.

A lane ends ahead. Check traffic and merge safely into the continuing lane.

Steep downgrade

Yellow diamond; truck descending a slope.

A steep downhill grade is ahead. Control speed and select an appropriate gear before descending.

Stop ahead

Yellow diamond; upward arrow above a stop symbol.

A stop sign is ahead. Prepare to stop at the sign or stop line; the warning is not the stopping point.

Lanes shifting

Yellow diamond; two arrows bending right.

The travel lanes shift ahead. Follow the lane markings through the shift.

Low clearance

Yellow diamond; height between vertical arrows.

An overhead structure has limited clearance. Know your vehicle height; 13 feet 6 inches is the illustrated example.

Low shoulder

Yellow diamond; vehicle tilted beside a pavement edge.

The shoulder is lower than the road surface. Stay on the pavement and avoid an abrupt drop-off.

Merging traffic

Yellow diamond; side arrow joins the main arrow.

Traffic joins your roadway ahead. Watch for merging vehicles and adjust space safely.

Two-way traffic

Yellow diamond; opposing vertical arrows.

Traffic travels in both directions ahead. Keep right and watch for oncoming vehicles.

Winding road

Yellow diamond; winding arrow.

Several curves are ahead. Reduce speed and follow the roadway carefully.

Pedestrian crossing

Yellow diamond; walking person.

Watch for pedestrians crossing or near the roadway. Be ready to yield or stop as required.

Playground warning

Yellow diamond; children on a seesaw.

A playground is nearby. Watch for children and be ready to slow or stop.

Side road

Yellow diamond; side branch joins a vertical line.

A side road enters ahead. Watch for vehicles entering or turning.

Slippery when wet

Yellow diamond; car with curved skid tracks.

Wet pavement may be slippery. Reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering.

T intersection

Yellow diamond; black T.

The road ends at an intersecting road. Prepare to yield or stop and turn left or right.

Traffic signal ahead

Yellow diamond; red, yellow, and green lights.

A traffic signal is ahead. Watch the signal and prepare to stop.

Watch for ice on bridges

Yellow diamond; WATCH FOR ICE ON BRIDGES.

Bridge surfaces may be icy when nearby pavement is not. Slow down and avoid abrupt maneuvers.

Yield ahead

Yellow diamond; upward arrow above a yield symbol.

A yield sign is ahead. Prepare to slow and yield, stopping if necessary.

Construction and maintenance

Slow down and follow temporary directions through work zones.

Detour

Orange arrow on a black rectangular panel.

Follow the arrow along the marked alternate route around a closure or work area.

Detour ahead

Orange diamond; DETOUR AHEAD.

A detour is ahead. Prepare to follow the posted alternate route.

Worksite added penalties

Orange rectangle; speeding and reckless-driving penalty warning.

Work zones may have added penalties. Obey posted limits and drive carefully; the amounts and terms shown are examples from this manual figure.

Flagger ahead — word sign

Orange diamond; FLAGGER AHEAD.

A flagger may control traffic ahead. Slow down and follow the flagger’s directions.

Flagger ahead — symbol

Orange diamond; person holding a flag.

A flagger may direct traffic ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.

Right lane closed

Orange diamond; RIGHT LANE CLOSED.

The right lane is closed ahead. Watch traffic and merge safely as directed.

Road work ahead

Orange diamond; ROAD WORK AHEAD.

Construction or maintenance is ahead. Slow down and watch for workers, equipment, and changing lanes.

Work crew ahead

Orange diamond; person digging.

Workers are ahead. Give the work area space and be prepared to slow or stop.

Worksite speed limit

White rectangle; orange WORKSITE panel above SPEED LIMIT 45.

Obey the posted worksite speed limit. The 45 mph shown is an example, not the limit for every work zone.

Railroad crossings

Recognize advance warnings, crossing locations, and track information.

Railroad advance warning

Yellow circle; black X and two R letters.

A railroad crossing is ahead. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and prepare to stop if required.

Railroad crossbuck and signals

White crossbuck; flashing-light equipment and 2 TRACKS plaque.

Marks a railroad crossing. Yield to trains and stop for an approaching train or active warning. The plaque shows two tracks in this example; watch for another train on any track.

Railroad crossing — angled tracks

Yellow diamond; diagonal tracks crossing a road.

The road crosses railroad tracks at an angle ahead. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and prepare to stop if required.

Railroad crossing on side road

Yellow diamond; side-road intersection and track symbol.

A railroad crossing is on the side road near the intersection. If turning onto that road, prepare for the tracks.

Schools and slow-moving vehicles

Watch for children, buses, and vehicles traveling slowly.

School crossing ahead

Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon; two people and an AHEAD plaque.

A school crossing is ahead. Slow down and watch for children.

School crossing

Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon; two people and a diagonal arrow plaque.

The arrow identifies the school crossing location. Watch for children and yield as required.

School bus stop ahead — symbol

Fluorescent yellow-green diamond; bus, children, and upward arrow.

A school bus stop is ahead. Watch for children and be ready to stop for the bus when required.

School bus stop ahead — word sign

Yellow diamond; SCHOOL BUS STOP AHEAD.

A school bus stop is ahead. Be alert for children and a stopped bus.

Slow-moving vehicle emblem

Triangle; fluorescent orange center and reflective red border.

Identifies a slow-moving vehicle that cannot exceed 25 mph. Slow down and allow space.

Speed advisories