Information signs and what they tell you

What is an information sign?

An information sign informs you. It tells you something useful about the road ahead or about a place nearby.

Each sign has its own entry below. This page gives you the main points.

The signs fall into four groups:

• signs about the road ahead: count down signs, cul-de-sac and right-of-way
• signs about traffic lights: co-ordinated traffic signals and multi-phase traffic signals
• signs about transport: bus stop ahead, park and ride and modal transfer
• other signs: supplementary plates, information centre and road experiment

What do count down, cul-de-sac and right-of-way signs mean?

They tell you what is coming on the road ahead.

Count down signs tell you that there is an exit a short distance ahead. They show that the exit is about 300m, 200m and 100m ahead. If possible, enter the exit at the same speed as the maximum speed for that road.

A cul-de-sac sign tells you that a road ends. It can be the road ahead, or the road to the left or right. Do not turn into a road that ends unless you are going to a place in that road.

A right-of-way sign tells you that you have the right of way at the intersection ahead. So do not slow down unnecessarily. But you must still make sure that other traffic will yield (give way).

What is a supplementary plate under a road sign?

A supplementary plate is an extra plate placed below another sign. It gives more information about the main message of the sign above it.

Supplementary plates are used with regulatory signs, warning signs and diagrammatical guidance signs.

Pay attention to the plate so that you realise:

• what the danger is
• what a safe speed is
• how far away the danger is
• the distance the danger will continue

Which information signs are about traffic lights?

Two of them. Their names use the official word for traffic lights: traffic signals.

A co-ordinated traffic signals sign tells you that the signals on the route are co-ordinated (set to work together). If you keep to the speed shown on the sign, the signals will be green at all the following intersections. That speed is a recommendation and not a speed limit. Keep to it if possible. You must still make sure that it is safe to enter every intersection, and look out for drivers that do not yield.

A multi-phase traffic signals sign tells you that the signals at that intersection do not follow the normal sequence (order). Your signal may stay red while the signal in the opposite direction changes to green. So do not move off when approaching traffic moves off. Wait until your own signal is green.

What must you watch for at bus stop and transport signs?

Watch for buses that stop and for pedestrians (people on foot).

• A bus stop ahead sign tells you there is a bus stop ahead. Be aware that buses may slow down and stop. Look out for pedestrians when overtaking.
• A modal transfer sign shows a place nearby where passengers may change their mode of transport (kind of transport). Make sure that it is safe to slow down and stop to drop someone off or pick someone up. Look out for pedestrians who may cross the road.
• A park and ride sign shows a park-and-ride terminus (station) with a bus or train service. Stop in that parking area if you want to reach your destination using other transport.

The fine print

Where you will find these signs:

• Count down, cul-de-sac, bus stop ahead and modal transfer signs are on the left-hand side of any road.
• A road experiment sign is on the left-hand side of the road.
• A right-of-way sign can be found on any road.
• A co-ordinated traffic signals sign is on the left-hand side of the carriageway (roadway) before an intersection.
• An information centre sign is next to the entrance of a parking area. It can also be in the top right-hand or top left-hand corner of a notice board.

Numbers to remember

• About 300m, 200m and 100m: how far ahead the exit is on count down signs

Mistakes learners make

• Thinking the speed on a co-ordinated traffic signals sign is a speed limit. It is a recommendation and not a speed limit.
• Moving off at a multi-phase traffic signals sign because the approaching traffic moves off. Wait until your own signal is green.
• Thinking a right-of-way sign means you need not look. You must still make sure that other traffic will yield.
• Turning into a cul-de-sac on your way to somewhere else. Only turn in if you are going to a place in the road that ends.

Signs in this chapter

Count down signsCount down signs tell you that there is an exit a short distance ahead on the road. They show that the exit is about 300m, 200m and 100m…

Cul-de-sacA road ends. It can be the road ahead, or the road to the left or right.

Right-of-wayYou have the right of way at the intersection ahead.

Park and rideThere is a park-and-ride terminus here with a bus or train service.

Supplementary platesA supplementary plate gives more information about the main message of the sign above it. These plates are used with regulatory signs…

Information centreThere is an information office or notice board here.

Road experimentA temporary experiment or research is being carried out on the road.

Co-ordinated traffic signalsThe traffic signals (traffic lights) on this route are co-ordinated. If you keep to the speed shown on the sign, the signals will be green…

Multi-phase traffic signalsThe traffic signals at this intersection do not follow the normal sequence (order). Your signal may stay red while the signal in the…

Bus stop aheadThere is a bus stop ahead.

Modal transferThere is a transport modal transfer point or terminus nearby. It is a place where passengers may change their mode of transport (kind of…

Test yourself

1. Question 1

   Which of these signs indicates that there is an exit a short distance ahead?

   

   

   

   Show answer

   Answer: Picture A

   Count down signs tell you that there is an exit a short distance ahead.

2. Question 2

   Which of these signs informs you that the road ahead, or the road to the left or right, ends?

   

   

   

   Show answer

   Answer: Picture B

   A Cul-de-sac sign tells you that the road ahead, or to the left or right, ends.

3. Question 3

   Which of these signs informs you that you have the right of way at the intersection ahead?

   

   

   

   Show answer

   Answer: Picture A

   A Right-of-way sign tells you that you have the right of way at the intersection ahead.

4. Question 4

   

   You pass a right-of-way sign and approach the intersection ahead. A vehicle is approaching on the cross road. What must you make sure of?

   • A That the other traffic will yield
   • B That you yield to the vehicle on the cross road
   • C That you stop before entering the intersection
   Show answer

   Answer: A: That the other traffic will yield

   At a Right-of-way sign you must make sure that other traffic will yield (give way).

5. Question 5

   Which of these signs gives more information about the main message of the sign above it?

   

   

   

   Show answer

   Answer: Picture C

   A supplementary plate gives more information about the main message of the sign above it.

6. Question 6

   

   Until when must a driver wait before moving off at an intersection with a multi-phase traffic signals sign?

   • A Until the driver's own signal is green
   • B Until the approaching traffic moves off
   • C Until the signal for cross traffic is yellow
   Show answer

   Answer: A: Until the driver's own signal is green

   You must wait until your own signal is green.