Signs & signals.

Example. You see a yellow curve sign with a 25 MPH plaque on a road posted at 45 MPH. Slow for the curve; 45 is not a promise that the curve is safe at that speed. Stop at a STOP sign farther along the road, not at its advance warning sign.

Why it matters. Reading the sign’s purpose helps you prepare early and act at the correct location.

Example. At a red light you want to turn right, but a pedestrian is starting across the road you would enter. Stay stopped and let the pedestrian cross. A gap in vehicle traffic alone does not make the turn safe.

Why it matters. The red signal still requires a stop; permission to turn does not give you priority over others.

Example. Your light flashes red while the cross street flashes yellow. Stop and wait for a safe opening. Do not treat the crossing as an all-way stop: cross traffic is not required to stop for its flashing yellow.

Why it matters. Confusing the two signals can put your vehicle in the path of traffic that has the right of way.

Example. You approach a mid-block crossing showing two steady red lights. Stop even though there is no intersection. During the following flashing-red phase, stop first and continue only after checking that pedestrians have cleared your path.

Why it matters. This signal protects a crossing that may be away from a conventional intersection.