Regulatory signs tell you what you must do, or must not do, according to the law. The regulations posted on these signs advise you about speed limits, the direction of traffic, turning restrictions, parking restrictions, etc.
A regulatory sign is used to indicate or reinforce traffic laws, regulations or requirements which apply either at all times or at specified times or places upon a street or highway, the disregard of which may constitute a violation, or a sign in general that regulates public behavior in places open to the public. The FHWA defines a regulatory sign as “a sign that gives notice to road users of traffic laws or regulations”.
If you do not obey the messages on regulatory signs, you could be fined and receive points on your driving record because you are breaking the law.
You also risk your safety and the safety of others by disobeying the messages on regulatory signs – for example, failing to stop at a stop sign, passing another car where it is not safe to pass, driving faster than the posted speed limit, or driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
What Shape Are Regulatory Signboards?
Signboards come in various sizes and shapes depending on the content they convey. There are four main types of signboards.
- Vertical Rectangular Signboards – If the signboard is vertical, it is probably a regulatory sign. It provides information such as speed limits or directions like Turn right or do not enter.
- Horizontal Rectangular Signboards – If the sign is horizontal, it gives the driver general information, such as the nearest gas station or nearby attractions.
- Circular Signboards – These signs determine actions you must or mustn’t do, such as “Stop” sign or “trucks only lane.”
- Triangle Signboards – Triangle signs indicate dangers, upcoming hazards, or traffic flow changes.
What color are regulatory signs?
Usually, regulatory signs are black and white vertical rectangles or squares, like SPEED LIMIT signs. Some regulatory signs are black, white, and red, like the NO LEFT TURN sign with a circle and slash. Other regulatory signs are red and white, like STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs.
All in all, you can find signs of the following colors on the road:
- Red signs usually denote a warning of some kind and are similar to warnings triangular signs give.
- Blue signs give you instructions. They could prompt you to change your speed or choose a junction on the motorway.
- Green signs are there to give you general information, which could come in handy in some cases.
- White signs never really give instructions or provide information on their own. They are just used in conjunction with others to provide clarifications.
- Brown signs are there to help tourists drive around the country. They denote any places of historical significance or, simply speaking, point out major tourist attractions.
The only real exception to the rules here is the color yellow. It is used to make the signs more noticeable as they divert traffic. As with the stop signs, it comes in handy in all situations and helps avoid road accidents.
Common Types of Regulatory Signs And Their Color
Regulatory signs direct motor vehicles as well as bicycles, pedestrians, and equestrians.
- Stop Sign – Red and white
- Yield Sign – Red and white
- Do Not Enter Sign – Red and white
- Wrong Way Sign – Red and white
- No U-Turn Sign – Red and white
- No Left Turn Sign – Red and white
- No Right Turn Sign – Red and white
- No Turn on Red Sign – Red and white
- No Overtaking Sign – White and black
- Speed Limit Sign – White and black
- Minimum Speed Limit Sign – White and black
- Lane Use Control Sign – White and black
- Keep Right Sign – White and black
- Keep Left Sign – White and black
- No Parking Sign – White and black
- No Stopping Sign – White and black
- No Standing Sign – White and black
- No Loading/Unloading Sign – White and black
- No Idling Sign – White and black
- Reserved Parking Sign – White and black
- Bus Lane Sign – White and black
- High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Sign – White and black
- One Way Sign – Black and white
- Two-Way Traffic Sign – Black and white
- Roundabout Ahead Sign – Yellow and black
- Crosswalk Sign – White and black
- Pedestrian Crossing Sign – Yellow and black
- School Zone Sign – Yellow and black
- Railroad Crossing Sign – Yellow and black
- Bicycle Lane Sign – White and black
- Share the Road Sign – Yellow and black
- No Bicycle Sign – White and black
- No Pedestrian Crossing Sign – White and black
- No Skateboarding Sign – White and black
- No Rollerblading Sign – White and black
- No Roller Skating Sign – White and black
- No Animals Sign – White and black
- No Trucks Sign – White and black
- No Heavy Vehicles Sign – White and black
- Weight Limit Sign – White and black
- No Horn Sign – White and black
- No Thru Traffic Sign – White and black
- Do Not Block Intersection Sign – White and black
- No Left Turn on Red Sign – White and black
- No Right Turn on Red Sign – White and black
- No Parking Fire Lane Sign – Red and white
- Do Not Pass Sign – Yellow and black
- No Motor Vehicles Sign – White and black
- No Trespassing Sign – White and black
- No Cell Phones Sign – White and black
Summary
The most common type of regulatory signs on the road is rectangular white ones with black characters on them. These are your basic speed limit postings or lane indication signs.
Similar signs that are green indicate directions and routes. These include street and exit names, mile markers, and interstate signs. Other sign colors, such as blue or orange, will indicate a commodity or business, like a gas station on the roadside.
Usually, regulatory signs are black and white vertical rectangles or squares, like SPEED LIMIT signs. Some regulatory signs are black, white, and red, like the NO LEFT TURN sign with a circle and slash. Other regulatory signs are red and white, like STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs.
