Cautionary Signs

Cautionary signs are used to warn motorists of upcoming events, such as intersections, tunnels, and animals.  All cautionary signs are black, red, and white text on a yellow diamond.  There are two exceptions, the Chevron and Hazard Marker signs are rectangles.  Supplement plaques may be used in conjunction with cautionary signs.  Cautionary signs are grouped into six categories.  To go to a category click one of the following links.  

Intersections * Curves * Divides/Merges * Road Conditions * People / Animals / Places * Miscellaneous 

INTERSECTIONS

SIGN

NAME MEANING OPTIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS
Acute
Intersection
Roadway to left/right intersects your roadway at a sharp angle.  Motorists may enter roadway unexpectedly due to angle and limited visiblity. Distance
Full
Intersection
Four way intersection ahead. Distance
Road
Forks
Current road forks to both sides. Distance
Side
Road
Roadway to left/right intersects your roadway. Distance
Staggered
Roads
Roadways on both side intersect your road. Caution:  motorists may be trying to turn from one side road to the other. Distance
Tee
Intersection
Your roadway ends. Distance
No
Outlets
All roads ahead must exit the same way they came from.  "All roads create a dead end" None

CURVES

SIGN

NAME MEANING OPTIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS
Curve Roadway curves to the left/right. Suggested Speed
Distance
Sharp
Turn
Roadway sharply turns to the left/right. Suggested Speed
Distance
Swerve Roadway swerves to the left/right. Suggested Speed
Distance
Double
Sharp
Turn
Roadway sharply turns one direction, then the other. Suggested Speed
Distance
Winding
Road
The road ahead is winding. Suggested Speed
Duration

DIVIDES / MERGES

SIGN

NAME MEANING OPTIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS
Divide
Begins
Divided roadway begins. None
Divide
Ends
Divided roadway ends.  Two-way traffic begins. None
Ramp
Merges
Traffic joins the trunk road from the left/right. None

ROAD CONDITIONS

SIGN

NAME MEANING OPTIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS
Lane Ends Lane ends (side with bend) Distance
Narrow
Bridge
The bridge has narrow lanes or is a one lane bridge, if tagged. Distance
One Lane Bridge
Road
Narrows
Roadway narrows either in lane width or overall width including shoulders. Distance
Duration
Pavement
Ends
Gravel or dirt road begins None
Rough Road Speed Bump Rough road or speed bumps are in your path Duration
Soft
Shoulder
The shoulder is not paved or does not exist Duration
Slippery
When
Wet
The roadway is very slippery in wet conditions  Duration
Suggested Speed
Steep
Grade
Down
How steep the roadway is during decent Duration
Truck Info
Steep
Grade
Up
How steep the roadway is during accent Duration
Truck Info
Congestion Ahead Area experiences frequent traffic jams.
or
An accident or traffic is ahead.  
Slow down, expect delays & prepare for detours.
Duration
Time of Day
Falling
Rocks
Cliffs nearby have loose rock.  Be prepared to stop or turn suddenly due to rocks falling or on roadway. Duration

PEOPLE / ANIMALS / PLACES

SIGN

NAME MEANING OPTIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS
Pedestrian Crossing
Ahead
Look out for pedestrians trying to cross the road. Distance
Pedestrian Crossing Placed at the crosswalk. None
School
Crossing
Ahead
Look out for children trying to cross the road. Distance
School
Crossing
Placed at the crosswalk. None
Playground Look out for children nearby. None
Bicyclists Be aware that bicyclists share the road. Duration
Domestic
Animals
Farm animals may be crossing the road.  Prepare for potentially wet and muddy roads. Duration
Wild
Animals
Wild animals are know to frequent the area. Duration

MISCELLANEOUS

SIGN

NAME MEANING OPTIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS
Yield
Ahead
Slow down and prepare to yield the right of way to priority traffic. Distance
Stop
Sign
Ahead
Slow down and prepare to stop. Distance
Signal
Ahead
Slow down and prepare to stop if necessary. Distance
Roundabout Placed 100m before entering the roundabout. None
Tunnel Tunnel is ahead.  Turn headlights on. Distance
Rollover Potential Trucks traveling too fast may tip over on upcoming curve in the road. Suggested Speed
Chevron Points in the direction the roadway follow.  Used when a road curves sharply. None
Hazard
Marker
Marks hazards near the roadway the may pose a threat to motorists. None