CHAPTER 6 | Traffic Signs and Signals

CHAPTER SIX | TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS

Traffic signs control traffic flow, making streets and highways safe for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
These signs, which are posted by the Indiana Department of Transportation and local governments,
use colors, shapes, written messages, and symbols to help drivers quickly understand the information.
Understanding these signs is necessary to obtain an Indiana driver’s license.

TRAFFIC SIGN COLORS

The background color of a traffic sign helps to identify the type of information displayed on the sign.
There are seven colors commonly used for signs.

Red Traffic Signs

Red traffic signs convey traffic regulations that require drivers to
take immediate action to avoid threats to traffic safety. A “Wrong
Way” sign is an example of a traffic sign with a red background.

Yellow or Fluorescent Yellow-Green Traffic Signs

Yellow or fluorescent yellow-green signs prepare drivers for specific
road conditions and hazards ahead, and alert drivers to nearby
school zones. A “Slippery When Wet” sign is one example of a traffic
sign with a yellow background. Fluorescent yellow-green signs warn
drivers of nearby schools, pedestrians, bicycles, playgrounds, and
school bus routes. A “Pedestrian Crossing” sign for a school crossing
is an example of a traffic sign that may have a fluorescent yellow-
green background.

White Traffic Signs

White Traffic signs display traffic regulations, such as speed limits,
that drivers must obey, as well as helpful information such as state
highway markers. A “No Turn On Red” sign is an example of a traffic
sign with a white background.

Orange Traffic Signs

Orange traffic signs warn drivers of temporary traffic conditions.
These signs are often used to warn drivers of conditions ahead due
to highway constructions and maintenance projects. A “Flagger Ahead”
sign is an example of a traffic sign with an orange background.

Green Traffic Signs

Green traffic signs indicate permitted movements and directions
or guidance, such as highway entrances and exits or distance to
upcoming destinations. A sign showing distance is an example of a
traffic sign with a green background.

Blue Traffic Signs

Blue traffic signs display road services and evacuation route
information. A sign showing information about amenities at an
upcoming exit is an example of a traffic sign with a blue background.

Brown Traffic Signs

Brown traffic signs indicate nearby recreational and cultural interest
sites. A sign showing a nearby state park is an example of a traffic
sign with a brown background.

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TRAFFIC SIGN SHAPES

The shape of a traffic sign also indicates the type of information displayed on the sign. There are seven
common shapes used for traffic signs.

Circular Traffic Signs

Circular traffic signs alert drivers to upcoming railroad crossings.

Equilateral Traffic Signs

Traffic signs with three sides of equal length warn drivers to slow
down when approaching an intersection, and to be prepared to come
to a complete stop in order to yield to other drivers or pedestrians.

Pennant-Shaped Traffic Signs

Pennant-shaped traffic signs are posted on the left-hand side of two-
way roads to warn drivers not to pass other vehicles on the left.

Rectangular Traffic Signs

Rectangular traffic signs display one of three types of information.
They may convey traffic regulations that drivers must obey, such as
speed limits and turn movement prohibitions like “No Left Turn.”

They may provide helpful information such as route marker signs

that identify a state highway, or destination signs that give the
direction to the next town.

They may also warn drivers of hazardous conditions such as an

advisory speed for a sharp curve in the roadway.

This advisory speed sign is often posted with a diamond- shaped

warning sign.

Diamond-Shaped Traffic Signs

Diamond-shaped traffic signs warn drivers of upcoming road
conditions and hazards. A “Divided Highway Ends” sign is an
example of a diamond-shaped traffic sign.

Five-Sided Traffic Signs

Five-sided traffic signs warn drivers that they are entering an area
near a school in which children may be crossing the road.

Eight-Sided Traffic Signs

Eight-sided traffic signs warn drivers that they must stop and yield
the appropriate right of way at an intersection.

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CHAPTER 6 | Traffic Signs and Signals

Warning Signs
Warning signs prepare drivers for upcoming road conditions and hazards. The following signs are
examples of Indiana’s warning traffic signs:

Added Lane Bicycle Crossing Buggy Warning Cattle Crossing Narrow Bridge Object Markers

BE
DETOUR PREPARED
1000 FT TO STOP

Intersection Curve Ahead Deer Crossing Detour In Prepare To Stop Sharp Turn
Ahead 1,000 Feet Slow Down

Divided Highway Farm Fire Station Lane Ends Steep Stop Ahead
Begins Machinery Downgrade

Lanes Shifting Low Clearance Low Shoulder Merging Traffic Two-Way Traffic Winding Road

Pedestrian Playground Side Road Slippery “T” Intersection Traffic Signal

Crossing Warning When Wet

WATCH

FOR ICE ON
BRIDGES

Watch For Ice Yield Ahead

On Bridges

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Highway Construction and Maintenance Signs

Construction zones pose dangers both for drivers and for construction workers. Orange highway
construction traffic signs warn drivers to be careful when approaching construction zones.

FLAGGER
AHEAD

Detour Detour Ahead Worksite Added Flagger Ahead Flagger Ahead Right Lane
Penalties Closed

Road Work Work Crew

Ahead Ahead

Railroad Signs
Railroad traffic signs alert drivers to upcoming railroad crossings.

Railroad Railroad Railroad

Crossing Crossing Crossing

2 TRACKS

Railroad
Crossing

School Zone Signs

Yellow or fluorescent yellow-green signs warn drivers that they are entering an area near a school in
which children may be crossing the road.

SCHOOL
BUS STOP
AHEAD

School School School Bus School Bus

Crossing Crossing Stop Ahead Stop Ahead

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Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem

A slow-moving vehicle emblem has an orange fluorescent center and red reflective borders, and
indicates a slow-moving vehicle which cannot exceed 25 miles per hour.

Slow Moving
Vehicle

Speed Advisory Signs

Speed advisory signs may accompany some warning signs.

EXIT RAMP

35
M.P.H.
15
MPH
45
M.P.H.

Speed Advisory Speed Advisory Speed Advisory Speed Limit

At Exit At Roundabout On Ramp Ahead

TRAFFIC REGULATION SIGNS

Traffic regulation signs regulate traffic speed as well as movement and display rules which drivers must
obey. The following signs are examples of Indiana’s traffic regulation signs:

DO NOT EMERGENCY LEFT LANE

BLOCK STOPPING MUST
ONLY
INTERSECTION TURN LEFT
Do Not Block Do Not Enter Do Not Pass Emergency Keep Right Left Lane Must
Intersection Stopping Turn Left

HR
LEFT ON
GREEN
LEFT
LEFT TURN
YIELD 2 PARKING MINIMUM
SPEED

40
TURN ON GREEN 8:30 AM
ARROW TO 5:30 PM
ONLY
SIGNAL

Left On Green Left Turn Signal Left Turn Yield Limited Minimum Speed Multiple Turns
Arrow Only on Green Parking

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NO
PARKING
ANY
TIME

No Left Turn No Parking No Parking No Right Turn No Trucks No Turn On Red

Any Time

ONE RESERVED

WAY P PARKING

1 HOUR
PAY
No U-Turn One Way One Way PARKING Reserved
Parking
Reserved Parking
Pay Parking Van Accesible

RIGHT LANE SLOWER SPEED

MUST TRAFFIC
KEEP ZONE
TURN RIGHT RIGHT AHEAD
Restricted Lane Right Lane Must Right Lane Only Slower Traffic Speed Zone Stop
Turn Right Keep Right Ahead

HER E
ON

Stop Here Tow-Away Zone Turn Left Or Turn Right Or Two-Way Wrong Way
On Red Go Through Go Through Left Turn

Yield

Supplemental Plaques
Supplemental plaques are sometimes added to the bottom of stop signs to indicate directions in which
the intersection must stop.

4-WAY ALL WAY

4-Way All Way

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TRAFFIC GUIDANCE SIGNS

Traffic guidance signs provide drivers with information about the type of road they are traveling on,
upcoming highway entrances and exits, and distances to various destinations. The following signs are
examples of Indiana’s traffic guidance signs:

40
INTERSTATE

70

1 MILE
70
Airport Bus Station Posted Highway Exits Interstate Mileage
Distances Indicator

INDIANA

39 40
State Road US Highway

Driver Services and Recreation Signs

Driver services and recreation signs provide drivers with information about nearby amenities, parks and
recreational areas.

Accommodations Amenities Bike Trail Boat Ramp Camping Site Food Services
Available Available Available

Fuel Services Handicap Handicap Historical Marker Hospital Playground

Available Parking Parking

Rest Area Road / Weather State Park Telephone

Information Available

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TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Traffic control devices such as stop lights and signs are used to control traffic flow and indicate right of
way at intersections and pedestrian crossings.

Driving through an Intersection

A green light means go. If you are facing a green light, you have the right of way and may drive through
an intersection as long as the intersection is clear of other vehicles and pedestrians.

A steady yellow light means the green light has ended and the signal is about to turn red. If you are
facing a steady yellow light, your right of way is ending. If you are approaching the intersection and are
too close to stop safely, you may complete your movement.

A red light means stop. Traffic entering an intersection from other directions has the right of way. If you
are facing a red light, you may not enter the intersection until the light facing you turns green and the
intersection is clear.

LEFT TURN R R
YIELD
ON GREEN Y Y Y

G G G

Turning through an Intersection

If you are facing a green arrow displayed with a red or green light, you have the right of way and may
turn through an intersection, as long as the intersection is clear.

If you are facing a green light displayed without an arrow, you may turn through an intersection as long
as the intersection is clear. You must yield the right of way to all oncoming traffic. Only one vehicle at a
time may move into an intersection to turn left.
Yellow Flashing Arrows for Turning Movements
A yellow flashing arrow for a turning movement means that you may proceed with the turn
only after you have yielded the right of way to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

If you are facing a steady yellow light or arrow, your right of way is ending.

Turning through a Solid Red Light

If you are facing a red light or arrow, your right of way has ended. If you are in the middle
of an intersection, you may turn once oncoming traffic has stopped. If you are facing a red
light or arrow, you may not enter the intersection until the light facing you turns green and
the intersection is clear.

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To turn right through an intersection with a red light or arrow, when permissible, you must come to a full
stop, check to make sure that there are no vehicles and pedestrians in the path of your turn or about to
enter the path of your turn, check that there is not a “No Turn on Red” sign and use the correct lane.

You may turn left through an intersection with a red light or arrow if you are turning from a one-way
street onto a one-way street. You must also come to a full stop, check to make sure that there are no
vehicles and pedestrians in the path of your turn or about to enter the path of your turn, check that there
is not a “No Turn on Red” sign, and use the correct lanes.

Yellow Flashing Lights

A yellow flashing light displayed without an arrow at an intersection means that you
should slow down and use caution when traveling through an intersection. If turning
left, you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. All traffic on the cross street is
required to yield the right of way to you. However, you should watch for other vehicles
or pedestrians attempting to cross the intersection.

Red Flashing Lights

A red flashing light at an intersection is equivalent to a stop sign and means that
you must come to a complete stop before proceeding with caution to enter the
intersection.

If you are facing a red flashing light at an intersection at which cross-traffic is not
required to stop, you may proceed only when the intersection is clear and when you
will not interfere with the right of way of cross-traffic.

If you are facing a red flashing light at an intersection at which all traffic is required to stop, you may
proceed only after you have stopped and yielded the right of way to any vehicle that is already in the
intersection, any vehicle that stopped before you and is entering the intersection, and any vehicle that
arrived at the same time as you and is to your right.

Approaching a Red Light or Stop Sign

If you are approaching a red light or a stop sign, you must stop at the solid white stop line. If there is
no stop line, you should come to a complete stop perpendicular to the stop sign or before entering the
crosswalk on your side of the intersection. If there is no crosswalk, you should come to a complete stop
before entering the intersection.

Often people who are operating motorcycles, motor driven cycles and bicycles get stuck at a red light
and the signal fails to change to green. These individuals may avoid prolonged waits at red lights under
the following condition:

• An operator approaching an intersection controlled by a traffic signal may proceed through a steady
red light if the operator comes to a complete stop for at least two minutes and exercises due caution
• This rule does not apply to autocycles
Approaching a Yield Sign
A yield sign indicates that a driver must slow down when approaching an intersection and be
prepared to come to a complete stop if a vehicle or pedestrian with the right of way is approaching
from another direction.

If you are approaching a yield sign, a vehicle approaching from another direction with the right of way
should not have to brake to avoid a collision with you.

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Approaching an Intersection with Non-Operating Signal

If you are approaching an intersection with a non-operating signal, you should stop before entering the
intersection. After stopping, you may proceed with caution only after you have yielded the right of way to:

• Cross-traffic that has already entered the intersection

• Any vehicle that stopped before you and is entering the intersection
• Any vehicle that arrived at the same time as you and is to your right
• Any pedestrian traffic
Approaching an Intersection with No Sign or Signal
Before entering a street from an alley or driveway, you should stop and yield the right of way to
other vehicles.

Pedestrian Signals
Pedestrian signals alert pedestrians when they may safely cross a street or intersection.

Pedestrian signals display the word “WALK” or a symbol of a person walking when pedestrians may
safely cross a street or intersection. At some intersections, there is a button near the base of the
pedestrian signal or stop sign that may be pushed to activate the walk signal.

Pedestrian signals display the words “DON’T WALK” or a symbol of a raised hand when it is not safe
for pedestrians to cross a street or intersection. The words or symbols flash to alert pedestrians that the
time in which to safely cross the street or intersection is ending.

Walk Walk Don’t Walk Don’t Walk

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

A pedestrian hybrid beacon is a signal used to facilitate pedestrian crossing, and which may be found at a
mid-block crosswalk. The pedestrian hybrid beacon is dark unless it has been activated by a pedestrian.

Once activated by a pedestrian, the pedestrian hybrid beacon will display a flashing yellow light to allow
drivers to clear the crossing. The flashing yellow will be followed by a steady yellow light to warn drivers
that their right of way is ending. Then, two steady red lights will be displayed while the pedestrian
crosses, and then the two red lights will flash to allow drivers to proceed through if the crossing is clear
of pedestrians. The pedestrian hybrid beacon will then go dark until activated again by a pedestrian.
4. Steady Red during
1. Dark Until Activated 2. Flashing Yellow 3. Steady Yellow Pedestrian Walk Interval

R R R R R4 R SR SR

Y FY SY Y

5. Alternating Flashing Red

During Pedestrian Clearance Interval 6. Dark Again Until Activated Legend
SY Steady yellow
FR R R FR R R FY Flashing yellow
SR Steady red
Y Y Y FR Flashing red

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