Road Traffic Signs - Signals

Basic Rules of the Road

The rules enlisted under this category are to be meant for all the people sharing the roads. The idea behind formulating such rules is that the roads are meant not only for the drivers (including motorists/cyclists/motorcyclists), but are shared by the pedestrians and animals by the road side. The rules belonging to these categories are mandatory to be followed while using the roads. You can observe all the above-stated rules only if you are patient, considerate and careful..

Traffic Signals

A traffic light, traffic signal or a stop light is a signaling device positioned at a road intersection to indicate when it is safe to wade through. The traffic signal passes on its information using a universal color code

STOP & WAIT GET READY GO

Road Signals

Signs form a vital and integral part of the trafficking system for the safety of the road users. As per IRC (Indian Roads Congress) Road Signs are for indications on the road the road signs are categorized into 3 types:

Mandatory Signs or Regulatory Signs

Straight Prohibited or No Entry

One Way Sign One Way SignVehicle Prohibited in Both

Directions

All Motor Vehicles Prohibited

Truck Prohibited Bullock Cart Prohibited Tonga Prohibited

Hand Cart Prohibited Cycle Prohibited Pedestrians Prohibited Right turn Prohibited

Left Tturn Prohibited U-Turn Prohibited Overtaking Prohibited Horn Prohibited

Bullock Cart & Cart Prohibited

Length Limit Speed Limit Load Limit

Height Limit Width Limit Axle Load Limit Restriction Ends Sign

No Parking No Stopping or StandingCompulsory Ahead

OnlyCompulsory Keep Left

Compulsory Turn Left Compulsory Tturn RightCompulsory Turn Right

AheadCompulsory Turn Left

Ahead

Compulsory Ahead or Turn Left

Compulsory Ahead or Turn Right

Compulsory Cycle Track

Compulsory Sound Horn

Stop Give Way

Cautionary or Warning or Precautionary Signs

Right Hand Curve Left Hand Curve Right Hair Pin Bend Left Hair Pin Bend Right Reverse Bend

Left Reverse Bend Steep Ascent Steep Descent Narrow Road Ahead Road Wideness Ahead

Narrow Bridge Slippery Road Loose Gravel Cycle Crossing Pedestrian Crossing

School Ahead Men at Work Cattle Falling Rocks Ferry

Cross Road Gap in Median Side Road Right Side Road Left Y-Intersection

Y-Intersection Y-Intersection T-Intersection Staggered Intersection Staggered Intersection

Major Road Ahead Major Road Ahead Roundabout Dangerous Dip Hump or Rough Road

Barrier Ahead 200 Meters 50-100 Meters 200 Meters 50-100 Meters

Informatory Road Signs

Advanced Direction Sign Re-Assurance Sign

Destination Sign Place Identification Sign

Hospital First Aid Post

Resting Place Eating Place

No Through Road No Through Side Road

Park This Side Park This Both Side

Parking Lot Taxis Parking Lot Auto rickshaws

Parking Lot Cycle rickshaws Parking Lot Cycles

Parking Lot Scooters and Motorcycle Barrier Ahead

Hand Signals

Hand Signals or Manual Regulation Signs are the gestures used to regulate traffic on the road using the hand movements. Traffic policemen use these actions to Regulate traffic particularly at intersections while the drivers use these signals to Notify the other users on the road about his intentions. Based on the person these Can be categorized as:

Traffic Police Hand Signals

To start one sided vehicles To stop vehicles coming from front

To stop vehicles approaching from behindTo stop vehicles approaching simultaneously from

front and behind

To stop vehicles approaching simultaneously from right and left

To start vehicle approaching from left

To start vehicles coming from right To change sign

To start one sided vehicles To start vehicles on T-Point

To give VIP salute To manage vehicles on T-Point

Hand Signals by Drivers

I intend to move in to the left or turn left

I intend to move out to the right or changing the lane or turn right

I intend to stop

I intend to slow down

Indicating the car following you to overtake

Road Markings and Pavement Markings

Road markings or pavement markings were introduced in 1920s. Initially, they were used to indicate the road's centerline. But, as they traffic increased, so did the roads and the lanes and later with the multi lane roads they were used to define lanes. With the times, they too have evolved a lot adorned with the information to aid motorists in passing safely.

Road Marking or Pavement Marking Signs

Centre Line Marking For A Two Lane Road

Lane Line And Broken Centre Line

Centre Barrier Line Marking For A Four Lane Road

Centre Barrier Line Marking For A Six Lane Road

Double White/Yellow Lines:Used where visibility is restricted in both directions. Neither stream of traffic is allowed to cross the lines.

Combination Of Solid And Broken Lines: If the line on your side is broken, you may cross or

straddle it. OverTake - but only if it is safe to do so.

If the line on your side is continious you must not cross or straddle it.

Stop Line:A stop line is a single solid transverse line painted before the intersecting edge of the road junction/ intersection.This line indicates where you are required to stop when directed by traffic officer, traffic light of stop sign. Where a pedestrian crossing is provided, the stop line is marked before the pedestrian crossing.

Border or Edge Lines:These are continuous lines at the edge of the carriageway and mark the limits of the main carriageway upto which a driver can safely venture.

Parking Prohibited Lines:A solid continuous yellow line painted on the kerb or edge of the carriageway along with a "No-parking" sign indicates the extent of no-parking area.

Yellow Box Junctions or Keep Clear:These are yellow crossed diagonal lines within the box. The vehicles should cross it only if they have a clear space available ahead of the yellow box. In this marked area vehicles must not stop even briefly.

Pedestrian CrossingsThese are alternate black and white stripes painted parallel to the road generally known as zebra crossing. Pedestrians must cross only at the point where these lines are provided and when the signal is in their favour at controlled crossings.You must stop and give way to pedestrians at these crossings. Pedestrian crossings are marked to facilitate and give the right of way to pedestrians.