Chapter 2 – Signs, Signals, and Roadway
Markings
2.1 –Traffic signs
Shapes and Colors – pg. 21 Know the eight shapes and signs
Traffic Sign Shapes
Traffic Sign Colors
Octagon- Stop
Triangle- Yield
Pentagon- School (kind of looks like schoolhouse)
Round- Railroad
Pennant- No passing
Diamond- Warning
Vertical Rectangle- Regulatory (speed limit)
Horizontal Rectangle- Guide
Red- Stop, yield, prohibited
Yellow- Warning
White- Regulatory
Black- Regulatory
Orange- Construction or detour
Green- Guide
Blue- Motorist services (hospital, rest area)
Brown- Public recreation &
cultural interest
Regulatory Signs – controls traffic
Examples:
Stop Sign
Warning Signs –
alerts you to possible hazards
and road conditions
Signal Ahead
Guide Sign –
gives direction
Interstate Sign
Specific Regulatory Signs:
Stop Sign – is used on road that crosses a main highway or through street
 Always come to a full stop
 You must yield the right of way to pedestrians or other vehicles in or
approaching the intersection.
 To YIELD means to allow other to use the intersection before you do using the
right of way
Steps to follow @ sign:
1. Identify sign
2. Look below for what type of stop
(ex- 4-way, all-way, cross traffic does not stop)
“4 Way” or “All Ways”- Rules you must follow…
1. The driver who stopped first should be allowed to go first.
2. When vehicles stop to the right or left of each other at the same time, the driver
on the left should yield to the driver on the right
3. When stopped across the intersection facing oncoming traffic the driver going
straight should be allowed to proceed. A driver turning left should wait.
4. Show your intention to proceed by moving forward slowly before entering the
intersection
5. Check for traffic ahead and to the sides before entering the intersection
**Checking Intersections Look – Straight, Left, Right, S, L, R
- The reason you do this is to be aware of all the directions cars can
possibly come from.
Where to Stop: Done before all of these places and done @ whichever comes first.
1. Stop Line
2. Crosswalk
3. Sidewalk
4. Intersection
5. Curb
6. Stop Sign
Yield Sign – always slow and give the right a way to traffic.
** proceed only when it is safe to do so, without affecting the flow of traffic in the lane
you are entering.
Speed Limit Signs pg. 22 – Speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions. When
traffic roadway, or weather conditions are not ideal, you must obey the basic speed law.
Basic Speed Law - This law says that you may not drive faster than it is safe and
prudent for existing conditions, regardless of posted speed limits.
 For example- If weather is bad, you may have to drive slower
Minimum Speed Limit – A minimum speed limits is set to keep the flow of traffic moving
safely.
 Ex. Set to keep people from going 25 on Interstate
Advisory Speed Limit pg. 107– These are suggested speeds for special conditions.
 Ex. Sign on a sharp curve, don’t have to be going this speed, but they are usually correct
Other Regulatory Signs – Signs with red words on white or white words on red usually
tell you what NOT TO DO.
 Ex. Do not enter, No Parking
Diamond-Shaped Warning Signs – pg. 23 – be prepared to stop or slow down when
you see a warning sign
 Yellow & tell you something is coming ahead
Slow Moving Vehicle: Farm equipment
 orange & red
School Signs – school zone, school crossing – no faster than 20 mph
 Neon yellow
No Passing Sign- On the left side of the road & most signs are on the right
Construction Signs – Orange, diamond, warning signs
 Warn you of construction ahead & tell you construction speed limit
**Need to be extra cautious in School & Construction zones. Not allowed to use cell
phones and need to watch speed.
Railroad Signs – Slow, Look, and Listen – large “X” might be painted on the roadway as
an additional warning.
 2 types- Yellow circle or white crossbars
 May be lights or may have nothing
Guide Signs – pg. 25 Mark routes, intersections, service areas, and other points of
interest
 Green, brown and blue
Route Signs – pg.25
 East/West Route – Even Numbered
 North/South Route – Odd Numbered
 U.S. Route- is a black & white shield
 State Route- is a black & white circle
 County Marker- Blue & Gold signs
 Interstate route signs- Red, blue & white sheilds
o
o
3-figured route number that starts with an odd number leads into a city.
3-figured route number that starts with an even number goes around a city.
International Signs – Doesn’t matter what country you are in, the signs mean the same
thing. Convey information with symbols rather than words.
- Red octagon- stop
- Red/White triangle- yield
- No right turn
- Road Narrows
2.2 – Traffic Signals
Traffic Lights: You will see 3 different types of lights.
 Green Light – proceed only if intersection is clear
 Yellow Light – make every effort to stop safely for a yellow light. Sometimes you
may be too close to stop safely so you may have to proceed with caution.
o If you are in the intersection, you are in the point of no return. Go when
intersection is clear.
 Red Light – come to a full stop
Right on Red
**Things you have to do 1st
 Stop
 Proceed when traffic & pedestrians are clear
 Be sure there is no right on red sign
Left on Red
**Things you have to do 1st
 Stop
 Yield to other cars
 Yield to pedestrians
 Must be from a one-way street onto a one-way street
o
Any examples here in town? By Roxy. From Jackson to Lasalle & from Columbus to Jackson
Flashing Signals- Any lights that are flashing or blinking
 Flashing Red – same as a stop sign – make a full stop
o Any examples you can think of? By Knights of Columbus

Flashing Yellow – slow down and be prepared to stop
o Any examples? In front of school

Arrows – traffic must flow in the direction of the arrow
o Look on pg. 29- Most common you will encounter is green arrow to the left

Lane signals – as you approach the intersection try to predict when it will change

Officer’s signals – must obey police officer signals over the lights
o May happen after a special event, concert, ect
2.3 – Roadway Markings
**There are 2 colors of road markings that you will see- Yellow & White
Yellow Line Markings- Mean two-way traffic
 Broken yellow line - pg 31 – is a two-way road
 Solid yellow line on one side of the road means - pg 31 – do not pass on your
side of the road (look at pic- other side can pass because downhill)
 Double solid yellow lines - pg 32 – means no passing
Shared left turn lane – are used with both solid and broken yellow lines
 Examples- By Farm & Fleet. Also seen in areas with malls and lots of
restaurants, Fox Valley, Joliet
White Line Markings- Separate both lanes going in same direction
 Broken white lines - pg 32 – separate lanes of traffic that are moving in the same
direction- indicates you can go from 1 lane to another

Solid white line – should not cross

White arrows – pg. 32- show where to turn (some lanes are only turn lanes)

Solid white lines on side of road – mark the edge of the road

Pedestrian crosswalks – you must yield to all pedestrians
Rumble Strips – pg 33 – short sections of corrugated roadway



Make noise when you driver over them
Warn you of hazards, dangerous intersections, unexpected need to stop or reduce speed
On the edge of interstate
Reflectors – marks the center of the road
Computerized Traffic Lights – some traffic lights are timed
 Lights in downtown Ottawa are timed
 Be aware of emergency vehicles
Signal Not Working – This could be if a light is not on or it is flashing or blinking
 Treat it as a stop sign
Signal covered up – There could be a bag covering the light when new lights are being put in
 Treat is as there is no signal and proceed with caution
**Look at pic on pg. 34
 What about these pictures tells you that you cannot park?
o Pic 1
 Yellow curb
 Fire Hydrant
 No Park sign
o Pic 2
 Yellow lines
 Handicapped sign