Read the road before you reach it
Signs give you three kinds of information: a rule to follow, a hazard to prepare for, or a direction to help you navigate.
Start with shape and color
A red octagon identifies a stop sign. An inverted triangle identifies a yield sign. Yellow warning signs call attention to hazards; orange signs draw attention to work zones. Read the symbol or wording to understand the specific message.
Translate recognition into an action
Recognizing a sign is only the first step. A stop sign calls for a complete stop and a check for conflicting traffic. A yield sign calls for reducing speed, looking for others who need the space, and stopping if necessary.
Look for conditions and exceptions
Supplemental plaques can change when or where a sign applies. Read time periods, arrows, and lane information together with the main sign. A posted maximum speed is not a promise that the speed is safe in rain, darkness, or congestion.
Shape tells you the category. The symbol tells you the message. Your surroundings determine the safe response.
Use official road-safety resources and your state’s full handbook to check legal details and exceptions.
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