The Purpose of Traffic Signs
Road Safety
Traffic signs are a vital part of road safety. They tell you the rules, warn of hazards, and guide you safely along the road.
Signs appear in many forms:
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Panels with symbols or words
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Road markings
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Beacons and bollards
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Traffic lights
A good sign gives its message clearly and early, allowing you time to see, understand, and respond safely.
For detailed examples, refer to Know Your Traffic Signs.
Symbols
Symbols are widely used because they are:
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Easier to recognise and understand
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Standardised, especially across Europe
Recognising Signs - Basic Rules
Traffic signs follow a consistent pattern of shapes and colours:
| Shape | Meaning | Colour |
| Circular | Give orders | Blue = Waht you MUST do; Red = What you MUST NOT do |
| Triangular | Warn of hazards or junctions | Red border |
| Rectangular | Give information or directions | Various colours depending on purpose |
| Road markings | Give instructions, warnings, or guidance | White/yellow lines and symbols |
| Other shapes | Used for especially important signs that need to stand out | e.g., octagonal stop sign |