Warning signs for curves and traffic circles

These warning signs tell you that the direction of the road, or of the traffic, changes ahead. They cover curves, traffic circles, two-way traffic, a lane that ends and hidden driveways. The test asks what each sign warns about and what you must do.

How slow must you go when you see a curve warning sign?

Slow enough to take the curve safely, or to stop within the distance you can see. This one rule covers the gentle curve, sharp curve, hairpin bend, winding road and combined curves signs.

You cannot see what is around a curve. If something is in the road, you must be able to stop before you reach it.

Three of the curve signs are easy to mix up:

hairpin bend: a very sharp, U-shaped curve
winding road: a series of curves
combined curves: two sharp curves in opposite directions

These three signs are found on any public road, especially in mountainous areas.

Who has right of way at a traffic circle?

Vehicles that are within the traffic circle have right of way (they go first).

As you get near the circle, slow down and look for road traffic signs and markings. They tell you whether you have the right of way or have to yield (give way).

If nothing shows who goes first, give way to traffic approaching from the right.
If sign R2.2 is displayed at the circle, yield to any driver who crosses his yield line before you cross yours.
Even if you have right of way, look out for traffic in the circle that may not yield to you.

Why do some of these signs have a left and a right version?

A road can bend either way, so many of these signs come in two versions.

A curve or a hairpin bend can go to the left or to the right.
On a winding road or combined curves sign, the first curve can be to the left or to the right.
On a lane ends sign, the road can narrow from the left or from the right-hand side.
A concealed (hidden) driveway can enter your road from the left or the right.

Do not try to learn these as a left sign and a right sign. Look at the sign in front of you to see which way it goes. What you must do is the same for both versions.

The fine print

The traffic circle, gentle curve, sharp curve and concealed driveway signs can be found on any public road.

Mistakes learners make

Thinking you always go first at a traffic circle. Vehicles within the circle have right of way, and if nothing shows who goes first you give way to traffic from the right.
Thinking a winding road sign means only two curves. It warns of a series of curves, and there could be any number of them without further warning.
Mixing up winding road and combined curves. Combined curves means two sharp curves in opposite directions.
Mixing up Two-way traffic and Two-way traffic crossroad. The first means your one-way roadway will soon become two-way. The second means a two-way street will soon cross your one-way street.
Changing lanes too late at a Lane ends sign. Change in good time to the lane that carries on.

Signs in this chapter

Traffic circleA traffic circle is ahead where you may need to yield (give way) to other traffic.

Gentle curveThere is a gentle curve ahead, to the left or to the right.

Sharp curveThere is a sharp curve ahead, to the left or to the right.

Hairpin bendThere is a very sharp, U-shaped curve ahead, to the left or to the right.

Winding roadA series of curves is ahead, one after the other.

Combined curvesThere are two sharp curves ahead, in opposite directions.

Two-way trafficThe one-way roadway you are travelling on will soon become a two-way roadway.

Two-way traffic crossroadThe one-way street you are driving on will soon be crossed by a street that carries two-way traffic.

Lane endsThe road you are driving on narrows by a full lane ahead.

Concealed drivewayOne or more concealed (hidden) driveways enter your road from the left or right. You cannot easily see the driveway or the traffic…

Test yourself

Question 1
True or false?
Vehicles that are within a traffic circle have right of way.
Show answer
Answer: True
True: vehicles that are already inside the traffic circle have right of way (may go first).
Question 2
You are approaching the sign shown, which warns of a sharp curve ahead. What action is required of you?
- A Slow down so that you can take the curve safely
- B Maintain your speed and brake inside the curve
- C Accelerate so as to pass through the curve quickly
Show answer
Answer: A: Slow down so that you can take the curve safely
You must slow down so that you can take the curve safely or stop within the distance you see.
Question 3
Which sign warns that there is a very sharp, U-shaped curve ahead?
A
B
C
Show answer
Answer: Picture C
The Hairpin bend sign warns of a very sharp, U-shaped curve ahead to the left or right.
Question 4
Which sign warns of a series of curves ahead?
A
B
C
Show answer
Answer: Picture A
The Winding road sign warns of a series of curves (many bends, one after the other) ahead.
Question 5
Which sign warns that the one-way roadway you are travelling on will soon become a two-way roadway?
A
B
C
Show answer
Answer: Picture C
The Two-way traffic sign warns that your one-way roadway will soon become a two-way roadway.
Question 6
Which sign warns that one or more concealed driveways enter the road you are driving on?
A
B
C
Show answer
Answer: Picture C
The Concealed driveway sign warns that one or more concealed (hidden) driveways enter your road.

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