Road Sign Colors and What They Mean

There are a lot of things to keep in mind when you’re driving. Aside from having a thorough understanding of the rules of the road, you also have to be knowledgeable about traffic signs.

If you’re an observant driver, you’ll also notice that these traffic signs come in different colors.

So what do these colors mean?

The Meaning Behind Road Sign Colors

The different road sign colors aren’t meant to make the streets and freeways look lively. Instead, they’re meant to communicate with the driver like any other traffic sign.

Here are the meanings behind the most common road sign colors.

Black and White

Black and white road signs are usually about regulations or the things you can and can’t do on the road.

They typically indicate the minimum and maximum speed limits, possible turn lanes, and one-way roads.

Yellow

Yellow road signs warn drivers of possible dangers or hazards ahead of their trip. These signs contain general warnings that tell the driver to slow down or drive with caution.

A lot of yellow road signs are shaped like diamonds. These signs can also inform drivers about two-way traffic, cattle ahead, pedestrian crossings, merging traffic, and railroad crossings.

Green

Green road signs are usually guide signs that tell drivers where they are and which way they can go. Some of these signs also indicate the distance from the next landmark.

On a typical freeway, green-colored signs tell the driver what the next three exits are and how far away the next city is.

Blue

Blue road signs are typically service guidance signs. These signs tell you where the rest stops are as well as other nearby services, such as call boxes (California), restaurants, gas stations, and hospitals.

Red

In most cases, red road signs mean that you’ll be making a complete stop in some way. Common red-colored signs include stop signs, wrong way, yield, and do not enter signs.

Orange

You’re most likely to spot orange-colored road signs in places where construction activities are ongoing. These signs tell the driver about possible dangers when passing through areas where there are construction and maintenance projects.

Spotting an orange road sign is your cue to be cautious of the road ahead. Reduce your speed when needed, and pay attention to the workers who are directing the traffic flow.

Highway workers may have the authority to report motorists who speed or drive unsafely, which can result in fines and points.

Fluorescent Green

Fluorescent green road signs alert drivers of nearby schools, pedestrian crossings, and bus stops.

Brown

Brown road signs usually point to areas of public recreation. These areas also include those with cultural and historical significance, such as national monuments and hiking trails.

Pink

A pink road sign tells the driver that there’s an unplanned incident ahead. In most cases, a pink road sign is accompanied by flares.

What Do the Shapes of Signs Mean?

Road signs don’t just come in different colors. They come in different shapes too. Here are the common shape signs you’ll find:

Rectangular Signs

Rectangular signs typically show some kind of information, such as warning you about upcoming events, construction, and diverted traffic. There are two main types of rectangular signs, based on their orientation:

• Vertical rectangular shape – These are regulatory signs that display the speed limit or give directions, such as “Keep Right.”
• Horizontal rectangular shape – These provide general information, such as directions to the nearest gas station or roadside attractions.

Circular Signs

Contrary to popular belief, the “Do Not Enter” sign isn’t round. It’s usually a red circle placed in the center of a square-shaped regulatory sign. In the US, the circle is exclusively used to warn drivers about a nearby railroad crossing. These signs are usually yellow in color with a black RXR on it.

Triangular Signs

These signs typically warn drivers about changes in traffic flow or upcoming hazards, such as construction zones and narrow roads. In contrast, inverted triangles will always mean one thing. If the point of the triangle points toward the ground, this is a sign warning drivers to yield.

Octagon-Shaped Signs

The only sign that has an octagon shape is the stop sign, so drivers can easily identify it with a single glance.

Types of Traffic Signs

There are nine road sign colors to take note of based on the previous section. This can be pretty overwhelming for some drivers, so let’s make categorizing road signs a bit easier.

Road signs can be divided into three main categories: regulatory, warning, and guide signs.

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs are mandated by the law. These are usually about speed limits, traffic directions, and turning and parking restrictions, among others.

You can get fined and receive points on your driving record if you fail to follow these regulatory signs.

Common regulatory signs include:

• Stop
• Yield
• Do not enter
• Wrong way
• No parking
• Railroad crossing
• No pedestrian crossing
• Do not pass

Regulatory signs also include directional ones like lane use control.

Lane use control signs are typically found near intersections above the traffic lane they’re controlling. These signs show the possible maneuvers drivers can make while they’re in that particular lane.

Warning Signs

Warning signs will generally inform you about road conditions and the possible hazards you might encounter while driving.

Typically posted before the affected road, warning signs will often look like a diamond-shaped plate with black symbols or words on a yellow background.

Common warning signs include:

• No passing zone
• Chevron signs
• Sharp right or left turn
• Winding road
• Road entering curve
• Truck rollover
• Merging traffic
• Weave area

Work zone signs are another set of warning signs. But instead of having a yellow background, they usually come in orange.

Work zone signs inform the driver of areas where equipment and workers can be spotted so that the vehicle can proceed with caution.

Depending on state or town policies, headlights should be turned on when driving through a work zone regardless of the time of day.

In Pennsylvania, for example, you could get fined $25 for not turning them on. The $25 fee will sit on top of another existing violator’s fee.

In some cases, warning signs can come with electric arrow panels. These signs usually tell drivers to move and merge because of lane closures.

Channeling devices, such as barrels, tubes, cones, and vertical panels can also be spotted in work zones. These can help drivers to navigate changing traffic patterns and stay away from road hazards.

Guide Signs

Guide signs usually provide the driver with information about intersecting roads. These signs also help you get to different cities and towns, as well as show points of interest along the highway.

Highway and expressway signs are the most common guide signs you’ll spot while driving.

Typically green with white letters, these signs are posted the same way, but they have some slight differences, too.

These nearly identical signs are necessary because drivers can miss a sign or two due to the high speed on highways.

Mile markers are also considered as guide signs. In most cases, the numbers will start at zero if you’re coming from the western part of the state in east-west roadways.