Traffic warning sign

"Warning Sign" redirects here. For other uses, see Warning Sign (disambiguation).

For a sign on a vehicle or building relating to it or its contents, see placard.

Exhibit mostly of various warning signs, Torino automotive museum (some regulatory signs like Do Not Enter also visible.

A traffic warning sign is a type of traffic sign that indicates a hazard ahead on the road that may not be readily apparent to a driver.

In most countries, they usually take the shape of an equilateral triangle with a white background and a thick red border. However, both the color of the background and the color and thickness of the border varies from country to country.

In the People's Republic of China (except for Macau and Hong Kong), warning signs appear with a black border and a yellow background. In Sweden, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Finland, Iceland, the Republic of Macedonia and Poland, they have a red border with an amber background. This is due to the weather, as it is easier to see a red/amber sign in the snowy weather than a red/white sign. The polar bear warning sign in Svalbard recently changed from displaying a black bear on white background to a white bear on black background (both signs are triangular with a red border). Some countries (like France, Norway, Spain) that normally use a white background have adopted an orange or amber background for road work or construction signs.

Warning signs in some countries have a diamond shape in place of the standard triangular shape. In the United States, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, most of South America, and also Ireland (diverging from the standards of the rest of Europe) use warning signs are black on a yellow background and usually diamond-shaped, while temporary signs (which are typically construction signs) are black on an orange background. Some other countries also use these standards for some signage.

The warning signs usually contain a symbol. In Europe they are based on the UNECE Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. In United States they are based on their own standard and often contain text only.

History

17th century sign along Salvador Street in Alfama says "Year of 1686. His Majesty commands all coaches, seges and litters coming from Salvador's entrance to back up to the same part"

British specimen, circa 1860s.

Early Czech warning signs (circa mid-1930s). The blue signs were later supplanted with red-white-black signs.

Pre-standardization British School Zone with metal-cutout generic Warning symbol embellished with red glass reflector-spheres.

Some of the first roadside signs —ancient milestones— merely gave distance measures. Hazard warnings were rare though occasional specimens appeared, such as the specific warning about horse-drawn vehicles backing up which was carved in stone in Lisbon's Alfama neighborhood in 1686. The early signs did not have high-contrast lettering and their messages might have been easily overlooked. Signs were written in the local language (example); symbolic signs, though long used on certain tradesmen's signs (like the pawnbrokers' tri-ball symbol) were to be used for traffic only much later in history.

Complex signage systems emerged with the appearance of motorcars. In 1908 the automobile association in West London erected some warning signs. In 1909, nine European governments agreed on the use of four pictorial symbols, indicating bump, curve, intersection, and railroad crossing. The intensive work on international road signs that took place between 1926 and 1949 eventually led to the development of the European road sign system.

As the 20th century progressed and also as traffic volume and vehicle speeds increased, sign-visibility and nighttime use capability gained significance. Earlier flat painted signs gave way to signs with embossed letters. Circa 1940-50 in countries with many vehicles, wording might be spelled out with so-called "button copy" —letters dotted with reflective glass spheres for night visibility. Button copy signs with plastic pips rather than glass appeared in the 1970s. Flat metal signs reappeared in the 1980s with the widespread use of surfaces covered with retroflective sheeting materials like Scotchlite.

In Eurpoe, the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals (which became effective in 1978) tried, among other things, to standardize important signs. After the fall of the Iron Curtain and greater ease of country-to-country driving in the Eurozone, European countries moved toward lessening the regional differences in warning signs.

In modern regulations, U.S. warning signs are classified as Series W signs, such as: W1 Series (curves and turns), W2 Series (intersections), W22 Series (blasting), et cetera, ending with the W25 Series (concerning extended green traffic lights). For no readily apparent reason, there is no W21 Series. Some U.S. warning signs are without category while others like the warning stripes at tunnel portals or plain red End of Roadway signs are classified as Object Markers (OM Series). In the U.S., Stop and speed limit signs fall under the R Series (Regulatory). Modern U.S. signs are widely standardized; unless they are antique holdovers from an earlier era, oddities like a yellow Stop sign or a red Slippery When Wet sign would typically appear only on private property —perhaps at a hospital campus or in a shopping mall parking lot.

Street sign theft by pranksters, souvenir hunters, and scrappers has become problematic: removal of warning signs can contribute to traffic collisions and also costs municipalities money to replace lost signs. Some authorities affix theft-deterrence stickers to the back sides of their signs. Some jurisdictions have criminalized unauthorized possession of road signs or have outlawed their resale to scrap metal dealers. In come cases, thieves whose sign-removal lead to road fatalities have been charged with manslaughter. Artistically-inclined vandals sometimes paint additional details onto warning signs: a beer bottle, a handgun, or a boom box added to the outstretched hand of the Pedestrian Crossing person, for example.

Modern warning sign shapes and colors

Warning signs can indicate any potential hazard, obstacle or condition requiring special attention. Some of the most common warning signs are the following.

• Most common designs
• 
  Diamond shaped with yellow background and black border
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  Triangular with red border and white background
• 
  Triangular with red border and yellow background

• Less common designs
• 
  Diamond shaped with orange background and black border
• 
  Diamond shaped with fluorescent green background and black border
• 
  Diamond shaped with fluorescent pink background and black border
• 
  Triangular with black border and yellow background
• 
  Triangular with red border and blue background
• 
  Red upward-pointing triangle
• 
  Circular with yellow background
• 
  Rectangular shape with yellow background

• World map of typical designs in use
• 
  Color indicates prevalent type of warning signs in use (click for large image and detailed info key).

General caution

General warning signs are used in instances in which the particular hazard, obstacle or condition is not covered by a standard sign. In Europe, they usually comprise an exclamation mark on the standard triangular sign (Unicode #9888: ⚠) with an auxiliary sign below in the local language identifying the hazard, obstacle or condition. In countries using diamond-shaped signs, the explanatory language is often written directly on the diamond-shaped sign, although it may contain only a general warning such as "Caution", and pictograms may also be used.

• 
  Belgium
• 
  Chile
• China
  China
• 
  Finland
• 
  France
• 
  Italy
• 
  Japan
• 
  New Zealand
• 
  Poland
• Russia, Belarus
  Russia, Belarus
• 
  Sweden
• 
  United Kingdom

Obstacles

Diamond-shaped with reflectors are placed at point of curbs, dividers, or other lane obstacles. Rectangular signs with diagonal stripes indicate solid objects such as barricades, bridge abutments, utility poles or natural obstacles near the roadway. Left side obstacles are marked with stripes running high to low, left to right; right side obstacle signs use stripes running high to low, right to left; in a sense akin to International symbol of arrow pointing down toward side toward roadway.

• 
  U.S. and Canada divided road ahead sign.
• 
  Alternate U.S. divided highway ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. divided road ahead sign.
• 
  United States & New Zealand, road diverges/splits
• 
  New York State pass left or right of obstacle sign.
• Australian Divided road ahead sign.
  Australian Divided road ahead sign.
• 
  Ireland divided highway ends sign.

Animals crossing the roadway

Signs may warn of wild animals (moose, bear, elk, deer, reindeer, polar bears, camels, wallabies, kangaroos, alligators, etc.) or farm animals (cows, horses, ducks, sheep) that may stray onto the road. In the United States, a SHARE THE ROAD plaque is sometimes placed below these warning signs when used in this manner.

• 
  U.S. and Canada deer crossing sign
• 
  U.S. cattle crossing sign
• Caltrans migrating bears sign
  Caltrans migrating bears sign
• 
  Pennsylvania duck crossing sign
• 
  Japan animals crossing
• 
  Italy, Germany and Latvia wild animal crossing sign
• 
  U.K. wild fowl warning sign
• 
  Norway reindeer crossing sign
• Russia cattle crossing sign
  Russia cattle crossing sign
• Russia wild animal crossing sign
  Russia wild animal crossing sign
• Kangaroo crossing sign in Australia
  Kangaroo crossing sign in Australia
• 
  Camel warning sign in the UAE
• 
  Ducks Crossing warning sign in Australia
• 
  A sheep warning sign in the U.K.
• Danger of encountering polar bears - "Applies to all Svalbard"
  Danger of encountering polar bears - "Applies to all Svalbard"
• 
  Wild elephant zone - Surin, Thailand
• 
  Vintage horseback warning sign - Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
• 
  New Zealand: Equestrians.
• 
  Moose sign from Sweden.
• Botswana: Rhino Area.
  Botswana: Rhino Area.
• China: Farm Animals Crossing.
  China: Farm Animals Crossing.
• 
  Germany: ducklings.
• 
  New Zealand: kiwi crossing.
• 
  New Zealand: kiwi zone at night.
• 
  U.S. bear zone.
• 
  U.S. bighorn sheep crossing.
• 
  U.S. moose area.
• 
  U.S. sheep crossing.
• 
  Germany: frog area.
• 
  Australia, cassowary crossing.

Odd vehicles in roadway

Also equipment (tractors, forklifts, snowmobiles, Amish buggies etc.) crossing or traveling along the road.

• 
  U.S. tractor/farm vehicle crossing warning sign.
• 
  New York State motorcycle crossing warning sign.
• 
  New York State ATV crossing warning sign.
• 
  Ohio golf cart crossing warning sign.
• 
  U.S. horse-drawn vehicle ahead warning sign.
• 
  Horse-drawn vehicle ahead, Ohio.
• 
  Taiwan: handcarts crossing.
• 
  Pennsylvania tank crossing warning sign.
• 
  Poland accident area ahead

Road works or construction

These signs are often temporary in nature and used to indicate road works (construction), poor roads, or temporary conditions ahead on the road including: flagmen, survey crew, single-lane, detour, bridge out, utility crew ahead, blasting area, bump, dip, frost heaves, flooding (or "High water"), soft shoulder, uneven pavement, freshly oiled road, loose gravel, smoke on road, trucks entering, etc. (note that some high water signs are posted to alert drivers of a flood prone area and do not actually mean that there is a flooded section of road ahead) In France, Italy, Spain, Norway etc., warning (and speed limit) signs connected with road works have yellow background, these countries normally have white background on signs. In America and Ireland, signs connected with road works have orange background.

• 
  U.S. Road work ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. Road work ahead sign, metric version.
• 
  Canada construction ahead sign.
• 
  New York State bridge closed ahead sign.
• 
  Caltrans traffic fines doubled in work zones sign.
• 
  New York State increased enforcement area work zone sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada Workers on the road sign.
• 
  Ireland road works sign.
• 
  Taiwan road works.(traditional headgear variant)
• 
  Austria and Turkey road works sign.
• 
  Italy construction sign.
• 
  Norway road works sign.
• 
  Swedish road works sign.
• 
  France construction sign.
• 
  Poland construction sign.
• 
  U.K. road works sign.
• 
  U.K.loose chippings warning sign.
• 
  Netherlands and Turkey loose chippings warning sign.
• 
  New Zealand loose chippings.
• 
  Poland loose chippings sign.
• 
  Temporary road closure signs in Los Angeles, CA.

Curves and corners

These signs indicate that ahead are dangerous or unexpected bends in the road, some being continuous, others being sharp-ended. Signs may indicate whether the curves are to the right or to the left and whether the degree to which the curves or bends are sharp. They mays also indicate a series of curves or bends ahead.

• 
  India curve to right sign.
• 
  India curve to left sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada sharp turn ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada sharp curve ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada sharp reverse turns ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada sharp reverse curves ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada winding road ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada winding road ahead sign. (opposite direction)
• 
  New Zealand curve sign
• 
  Ireland sharp corner (Advisory speed <30 mph)
• 
  Ireland curve sign.(Advisory speed > 20 mph)
• 
  Austria and Turkey left curve sign.
• 
  Sweden curve to the left sign.
• 
  Poland curve to left sign.
• 
  U.K. right bend ahead.
• 
  Ireland double bend.
• China double bend.
  China double bend.
• 
  Poland double bend.
• 
  Italy, Turkey, Latvia double bend.
• 
  U.K. double bend.
• 
  Ireland series of bends (winding road)
• 
  Ireland junction at corner
• 
  Ireland junction at a bend
• 
  U.S. and New Zealand side road junction on a curve sign.
• 
  U.S. curve to the right sign, with advisory speed limit.

Chevrons and arrows

Chevron shaped symbols or arrows on rectangular signs may be placed at the actual location of the bend or curve to further mark the location of the curve and to assist in negotiation of the curve. They may also be used to indicate "merge" with other traffic, as for an on-ramp of a limited-access highway.

An unusual occurrence of the rectangular arrow sign appears on the eastbound approach to Dead Man's Curve in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, a curve so sharp that in places an arrow's stem is printed on one sign and the arrow's point is printed on another larger sign further down the road; from the driver's perspective at a distance the two signs visually blend together to form one large arrow image.

• 
  U.S. curve arrow.
• 
  U.S. curve arrow (vandalized with gunfire).
• 
  Sweden curve arrow.
• 
  New Zealand curve chevrons with advisory speed limit.
• 
  Russia curve chevrons.
• 
  Singapore chevron signs.
• 
  France curve chevrons.
• 
  France curve chevrons.
• 
  France ring of chevrons in traffic circle hub.
• 
  Switzerland curve chevrons.

Tunnels

The signs are used to indicate tunnels, where lights are usually required, and a general change in the light level. May also indicate low ceiling clearance. Truck drivers should also watch for prohibited cargo signs (e.g., Hazmat, propane, explosives) upon approach to tunnels.

• 
  U.S. tunnel sign.
• 
  Swedish tunnel ahead sign.
• 
  Norway tunnel sign.
• 
  Czech tunnel sign.
• 
  U.K. tunnel sign.
• 
  Taiwan tunnel warning sign.
• 
  German tunnel sign.
• 
  Polish tunnel sign.
• 
  South Korea tunnel sign.
• 
  Singapore tunnel sign.

Bridges

These signs are used where traffic may be constricted to a narrow bridge, or where the bridge may have a movable span closed to vehicles while boats pass (e.g., drawbridge or floating bridge). They may also be used for underpass to indicate low overhead clearance.

• 
  U.S. narrow bridge warning sign.
• 
  U.S. narrow bridge ahead sign (alternative).
• 
  U.S. narrow bridge symbol.
• 
  India narrow bridge warning sign.
• 
  Ireland bridge height sign. (pre-metric version)
• 
  Singapore height prohibition ahead sign.
• 
  Italy draw bridge ahead sign.
• Russia and Latvia draw bridge ahead sign.
  Russia and Latvia draw bridge ahead sign.
• 
  U.K. draw bridge ahead sign.
• 
  New York State restricted weight bridge ahead sign.

Traffic signals

These warning signs indicate that traffic lights are ahead, and are often used when it is difficult to see that a traffic light may already be showing red, to warn a driver to prepare to slow down. They may be supplemented with flashing light or lighted sign when light is red or turning red. Some countries also have signs warning of signals for ramp meters, fire stations, and airfields.

• Australia
  Australia
• 
  Australia: ramp meter ahead
• Botswana
  Botswana
• China
  China
• 
  Colombia
• 
  Germany
• 
  Italy: vertical traffic signal ahead
• 
  Italy: horizontal traffic signal ahead
• 
  Japan
• 
  New Zealand (includes signals at airfields, fire stations and ramp meters)
• 
  Poland
• 
  South Korea
• 
  Spain
• 
  Taiwan, Bhutan
• 
  United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, South Africa
• 
  United States, Thailand, Canada
• 
  United States: alternative
• 
  United States: ramp meter ahead

Warning signs for regulatory signs

As for traffic signals, above, some "stop" or "yield" signs may require additional warning or reminder, especially in dense areas or where the sign has been added recently.

• 
  U.S. and Canada stop sign ahead.
• 
  U.S. stop sign ahead (alternative).
• 
  U.S. and Canada yield ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. yield sign ahead (alternative).
• 
  U.S. school speed zone ahead.
• China stop sign ahead.
  China stop sign ahead.

Level crossings and intersections

These signs warn of road crossings at even level (crossroads, T-intersection, forks (Y-intersection), rotary/roundabout). They may also indicate "hidden driveway" intersecting the road ahead. (Compare with bridges/overpasses/viaducts).

• 
  U.S. and Canada Intersection ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada Intersection ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada Intersection ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada Intersection ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada Intersection ahead sign.
• 
  Hidden intersection, Delaware.
• 
  U.K. crossroads ahead sign.
• 
  Japan crossroads sign.
• 
  Ireland crossroads with a major road sign.
• 
  Italy and Latvia crossroads with right-of-way from the right sign.
• 
  Ireland junction with a minor side-road sign.
• 
  Italy and Latvia junction with a minor side-road sign.
• 
  Swedish intersection with a minor cross-road sign.
• 
  Swedish intersection with minor side-road sign.
• 
  Italy and Latvia junction with a minor cross road sign.
• 
  Ireland staggered crossroads with roads of equal importance sign.
• 
  Ireland junction at corner with a minor road sign.
• 
  Ireland junction with dual-carriageway sign.
• Australia, New Zealand and Ontario crossroads ahead sign.
  Australia, New Zealand and Ontario crossroads ahead sign.
• 
  Crossroad priority to the right ahead sign, Australia and New Zealand

• Roundabouts/Rotaries
• 
  U.S. Traffic circle ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada roundabout/traffic circle ahead sign.
• 
  Australian roundabout sign. (note: arrows for driving on opposite side as US/CAN).
• 
  Ireland roundabout ahead sign.
• 
  Finland roundabout sign.
• 
  Roundabout ahead sign in Poland.
• 
  U.K. large roundabout ahead sign.
• 
  Italy and Latvia roundabout ahead sign.
• 
  U.K. mini roundabout ahead sign.

Lane starts and ends

These signs indicate when a multilane highway is being narrowed, when a passing lane is ending, or where the road is widening or a passing lane starting. Another type of sign is used to indicate central "two-way" left turning lane in center of roadway. Warning signs may also warn of "Highway ends", where the road changes class or type.

• 
  U.S. and Canada right lane ends sign.
• 
  Canada New York State one lane road ahead sign.
• 
  New York State one lane road ahead sign.
• 
  Massachusetts lane drop ahead.
• 
  U.S. and Canada divided highway ahead sign.
• 
  Alternate U.S. divided highway ahead sign.
• 
  U.S. divided road ahead sign.
• 
  Japan lane decrease sign.
• 
  Taiwan: right lane ends ahead.
• 
  U.K., Italy and Latvia road narrows from the right.
• 
  U.K. road narrows on both sides ahead sign.
• 
  British, Hong Kong & Singapore "end of dual carriageway" sign

Merge to stay with through traffic

In the United States and Canada, there is special signage for lanes that are about to exit, so that drivers who wish to remain on the main road have adequate time to merge. Such lanes are sometimes indicated by special striping ("alligator stripes") and the sign, "Thru Traffic Merge Left" (or right). On freeways, the green directions sign for the exit ramp may have the additional notation, "Exit Only," and should have black letters on a yellow background for emphasis.

• 
  Caltrans W74 all traffic merge left sign.
• 
  U.S. and Canada Added Lane traffic sign.
• 
  Japan join sign.
• 
  Italy merge from right sign.

Roads with one entry point

Roadways that only have one entry/exit point - "dead end", "not a through street" or "no outlet".

• 
  Pennsylvania No Through Street sign.
• 
  Pennsylvania loop street sign.
• 
  U.S. No Outlet sign.
• 
  U.S. Dead End sign.
• 
  U.S. (New York City): dead end.
• 
  Sweden: dead end ahead.
• 
  Austria: dead end ahead.
• 
  Poland: roadway ends.
• 
  U.S. (New York City): roadway ends.
• 
  U.S. roadway ends here (AKA the "red splat").

Pedestrian crossings

The signs are used to warn drivers of people walking in the street. They may also be used to warn of children playing, playgrounds, bicycle area, deaf child, blind pedestrians, and thickly settled zones where pedestrians may enter the road.

In California, United States near the Mexican border, there are warning signs showing a running family. This is to warn motorists to look out for illegal immigrants who try to escape authorities by running through freeway traffic. The symbol was created by California Department of Transportation employee John Hood in the late 1980s.

• 
  U.S. and Canada pedestrian crossing sign.
• 
  Blind pedestrian crossing sign, Pennsylvania.
• 
  Special Needs Child Crossing, New York City.
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  Blind child, Delaware.
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  Hearing impaired child sign Pennsylvania.
• 
  Deaf child area sign, New York State.
• 
  Deaf child, Delaware and Canada.
• 
  Deaf children near sign, California.
• 
  Autistic child warning, USA.
• 
  Children crossing, Ireland.
• 
  U.K. Zebra crossing ahead sign.
• 
  U.K. pedestrians on road ahead sign.
• 
  Netherlands pedestrian crossing sign.
• 
  Poland pedestrian crossing ahead sign.
• 
  Sweden pedestrian crossing sign (Used to warn ahead).
• Russia pedestrian crossing sign.
  Russia pedestrian crossing sign.
• 
  Australia: crosswalk ahead.

Schools

The signs mark school zones (in which lower speed limits may be in place), student crossings, crossing guards or signals ahead. In the U.S. and Canada, pentagon shaped signs are used in place of the usual diamond-shaped signs. The shape of the U.S. school zone resembles a one-room school house and is the only U.S. sign shaped this way. Some Canadian provinces use an identical sign. Ontario uses a white on blue version of this sign.

• 
  U.S./Canada (new) school zone.
• 
  U.S. (old type) school zone sign.
• 
  Ireland children crossing sign.
• 
  Poland children crossing sign.
• 
  Norway children crossing sign.
• Russia children sign.
  Russia children sign.
• India school children crossing sign.
  India school children crossing sign.
• 
  France: old-style school zone sign.
• 
  U.S. (new) school bus stop ahead sign.
• 
  New Zealand (new) school bus stop ahead.
• Australia (Northern Territory) school ahead.
  Australia (Northern Territory) school ahead.
• Poland: kindergarten.
  Poland: kindergarten.

Bicycle

• 
  U.S. bicycles ahead sign.
• 
  New York City share the road sign.
• 
  Pennsylvania share the road sign.
• 
  Maryland share the road sign.
• 
  San Francisco bike lane sign.
• 
  U.S. Bikeway narrows sign.
• 
  Poland bicycle crossing warning sign.
• Russia bicycle crossing warning sign.
  Russia bicycle crossing warning sign.

Other signs with unprotected people

• 
  U.S. playground ahead sign.
• 
  Norway skiers crossing sign.
• 
  Sweden skiers crossing sign.

Fire stations

These signs warn of approach to where firefighters may be entering the road with fire engines or other emergency apparatus, where other drivers will have to stop and wait until they pass.

• 
  U.S. and Canadian Fire Station sign.
• 
  Delaware Emergency Vehicles sign.
• 
  Wisconsin fire trucks entering when signal flashes sign.
• 
  Germany fire trucks entering when signal flashes.
• 
  Texas Emergency Vehicles sign.
• 
  New York State Fire House sign.
• 
  Maryland Firehouse Signal sign.

Oncoming traffic

The signs may be used to warn people of oncoming traffic; shown when a motorway becomes a dual carriageway or a normal road without a central reservation or median.

• 
  U.S. two-way traffic sign.
• 
  Ireland two-way traffic sign.
• 
  Italy and Latvia two-way traffic sign.
• 
  Sweden two-way traffic sign.
• 
  Poland two-way traffic sign.

Level crossing/Railway crossing

These signs are used to warn of level crossings ahead. In most countries a red triangle warning sign is used, with various pictograms for unguarded crossings, crossings with manual gates, and automatic level crossings. In most of Europe an old style gate is used for a crossing with gates, and a steam locomotive for a crossing without gates. Similar pictograms are also used in Ireland albeit on an amber diamond sign. In the United States the warning of all types of railway crossings is made using a circular yellow sign. The actual crossing is also marked with crossed "Railroad Crossing" crossbuck signs (Stop, look, listen) and possibly lights, bells, and barriers.

• Crossing with Gate
• 
  U.K. level crossing with gate or barrier sign.
• 
  Ireland level crossing with gates sign.
• 
  Italy rail crossing with gates sign.
• 
  Sweden crossing with gate sign.
• Russia crossing with gate sign.
  Russia crossing with gate sign.

• Unguarded Crossing
• 
  Railway level crossing without gate or barrier ahead.
• 
  Railway or tramway crossing without gate or barrier.
• 
  Ireland unguarded level crossing sign.
• 
  Taiwan: crossing, no gate, first warning.
• 
  Italy rail crossing without safety arm.
• 
  Sweden unguarded crossing sign.
• 
  German unguarded crossing sign.
• Russia unguarded crossing sign.
  Russia unguarded crossing sign.

• Other Crossings
• 
  U.S. railroad crossing sign (general).
• 
  U.S. rail line in highway median of cross street.
• 
  Ireland automatic level crossing sign.
• 
  Caltrans light rail crossing ahead sign.
• 
  Finland tram crossing sign.
• 
  U.K. tramcars crossing ahead sign.
• Russia tram crossing sign.
  Russia tram crossing sign.
• 
  Tall vehicle tram wire shock risk (Czech).
• 
  New Zealand railroad crossing with signals ahead.
• 
  U.S. skewed crossing (hazard to cyclists).
• 
  New Zealand cyclists watch for track-ruts.

• Warning at Crossing
• 
  U. S. railroad crossing sign, MUTCD R15-1.
• 
  Canadian railway crossing sign
• 
  Caltrans light rail crossing sign.
• 
  Thai RR crossing sign.
• 
  Norway signal track level crossing sign.
• 
  Netherlands track level crossing sign.
• 
  Austrian railway crossing sign.
• Russia single-track railway sign.
  Russia single-track railway sign.
• 
  Argentina R.R. X-ing.
• Russia multiple-track railway sign.
  Russia multiple-track railway sign.
• 
  Taiwan: electric tram crossing, multiple tracks.
• 
  U.S. humped-crossing low vehicle scrape risk.

Falling rocks

These signs may be used to indicate the hazards of fallen or falling rocks on the road ahead. They are usually pictographs, but may also include wording, such as "fallen rock", "falling rock", or "rock slide". In Italy the words may be "caduta sassi" or "caduta massi"; in France "chûte de pierres"; in Mexico "derrumbes".

• 
  New York State fallen rock sign.
• 
  Pennsylvania falling rocks sign.
• 
  North Carolina falling rock sign.
• 
  Idaho watch for rock sign.
• 
  Caltrans rock slide area sign.
• 
  New York State rock/mud slides warning sign.
• 
  British & Hong Kong "falling rocks" warning sign.
• 
  Norway falling rocks sign.
• 
  Japanese "falling rocks" sign.
• 
  U.S. falling rocks sign.
• 
  Falling rocks sign in Bowen Island, Canada.

Other warnings (aircraft-related)

For example, a warning sign with the image of an aircraft in the middle of it indicates an airport or airfield, where drivers should be prepared for low-flying aircraft.

• 
  New York State low flying planes sign.
• 
  Delaware low flying aircraft.
• 
  Pennsylvania balloon launch area.
• 
  Low flying airplanes cross here sign, Wisconsin.
• 
  Norway low flying aircraft sign.
• Russia low flying aircraft sign.
  Russia low flying aircraft sign.

Crosswinds or Side winds

Flying socks, as indicated by a windsock on red triangle or yellow diamond signs, indicate locations where a strong side wind may cause the trajectory of the moving vehicle to change drastically, perhaps even "flying" across lanes, causing an accident.

• 
  New York State crosswinds sign.
• 
  Pennsylvania high cross winds sign.
• 
  Idaho frequent high winds sign.
• 
  Japan cross winds sign.
• 
  U.K. side winds likely ahead warning sign.
• 
  Sweden side winds warning sign.
• 
  Norway cross winds sign.
• Poland side winds sign.
  Poland side winds sign.

Road conditions

"Slippery when wet", "grooved pavement" (warning to motorcyclists and bicyclists), "Open joints on bridge", "Icy Road", "Bridge freezes before roadway" and variants thereof, and "bump" or "dip" ahead (not related to construction). Truck drivers will need to pay attention to "Steep grade" warnings (or "Down grade, use lower gear"), sometimes posted with the percent grade (e.g., 5 percent). Steep hills may also feature "Runaway truck escape" or "Emergency stop" areas with corresponding signs. The UK has a sign warning of "Adverse camber" on a curve. Also "Loose gravel", "Soft shoulder", "Speed hump", and "Watch for Ice."

• Slippery Pavement
• 
  U.S. (new type showing required seat belt use).
• 
  U.S. and Canada former type (no seat belt).
• 
  Australia and New Zealand slippery when wet.
• 
  Japan slippery when wet.
• 
  Swedish slippery pavement sign.
• 
  U.K. slippery road ahead sign.
• 
  Poland slippery pavement sign.
• 
  Poland icy or snow covered roads.
• 
  Nebraska, may be icy ahead.
• 
  Bridge ices before road.
• 
  Bridge may be icy.
• 
  Czech black ice prone area.

• Steep Grade
• 
  U.S. and Canada steep grade/hill sign.
• 
  U.S. steep hill sign.
• 
  Delaware hill sign (alternate).
• 
  U.S. and Canada steep grade/hill percentage sign.
• 
  Idaho steep grade percentage sign.
• 
  Taiwan: hill 8% grade.
• 
  Austria steep grade sign.
• 
  U.K. 10% down grade sign.
• 
  Netherlands 10% grade sign.
• 
  France 10% down grade sign.
• 
  Norway steep grade sign.
• 
  Poland steep grade sign.
• 
  Korea steep descent sign.
• 
  Japan steep descent sign.
• 
  Caltrans watch downhill speed.

• Bumpy Road
• 
  U.S. bump sign.
• 
  New Jersey bumps sign.
• 
  U.S. rough road sign.
• 
  Ireland bumpy road sign.
• 
  Japan bumpy road sign.
• 
  Korea bumpy road sign.
• 
  Germany bumpy road sign.

Miscellaneous

• Other
• 
  New York State rumble strips ahead sign.
• 
  Idaho occasional blinding dust storms sign.
• 
  Road floods during high tide, Hawaii.
• 
  Frost heaves, Idaho.
• 
  Severe storm area, Idaho.
• 
  U.S. Dip.
• 
  Ferry crossing, Missouri.
• 
  Fog area, Ohio.
• 
  Czech fog area.
• 
  Singapore: dangerous area.
• 
  China: generic caution with "slow down" text.

• Unusual warning signs
• 
  U.K.: toad zone.
• 
  U.K., Tank Crossing.
• 
  Lithuania: blind spot.
• 
  Netherlands (Texel): caution quicksand.
• 
  New Zealand, Penguin Crossing.
• 
  Colombia, Didelphis marsupialis area.
• 
  U.S.: robot locomotives.
• 
  Germany: watch out, the crossing trains are privately-owned.
• 
  Australia, Assorted Wildlife Crossing.
• 
  Svalbard, Polar Bear Area (new white bear variant).
• 
  U.S. (vintage), Avoid Bears.
• 
  On Laos/ Thailand border: ahead we drive on opposite side of road.
• 
  Poland: danger, car ferry ahead.
• 
  New Zealand: exceptional curves/ intersections/ R.R. x-ing situation.
• 
  U.S.: trolley testing underway.
• 
  U.S. (Alaska): Warning: No Warnings Ahead.
• 
  Taiwan, owl crossing.
• 
  U.K., Slow Children & Ducks Crossing sign.
• 
  U.S. (California), Hang-Glider Xing (crossing).
• 
  Germany: look out wide snowcat vehicles.
• 
  Poland: buildings may collapse, steer clear.
• 
  South Korea, Beware of White Squirrels.
• 
  Thailand: go upland during tremors, tsunami zone.
• 
  U.S. (Alaska) Bison may ram cars (hand-painted).
• 
  South Africa: baboons.
• 
  Austria: caution, marmots!
• 
  Namibia: leopard zone.
• 
  Australia: fruit bats, virus risk.
• 
  South Africa: lions, stay in car.
• 
  U.K. : badger crossing.
• 
  Germany: Life-danger! Steep sides and deep water.
• 
  WWII urban front line: sightseers stay back.
• 
  Germany: Life-danger! Unexploded military ordinance.
• 
  Falkland Islands: slow, landmines.
• 
  Germany: flash flood area.
• 
  Italy: flash flood area (hydroelectric activity).
• 
  Australia: frill-necked lizard zone.
• 
  Finland: mosquito swarms.
• 
  South Africa: beware of hippos.
• 
  Greenland: musk ox area.
• 
  Germany: mind the otters.
• 
  Namibia: warthog zone.
• 
  Germany: Life-danger! Ice blocks fall.
• 
  Italy: volcano-fumarole poison gas area.
• 
  Greenland: dogsled crossing.
• 
  Germany: Fall danger, mountain area, don't leave route.
• 
  Germany: Life-danger! Underground not sound/sturdy.
• 
  U.S.: underground fire —road might collapse.
• 
  Germany: pets/wildlife conflict, disease-ticks area.
• 
  On barb wire at Auschwitz 1: Look out High voltage Life-danger.
• 
  Germany: overhanging vegetation.
• 
  Ireland: quayside dropoff.
• 
  Australia, Tasmanian Devil Area.
• 
  Japan (Iriomote): iriomote cat zone.
• 
  Australia: golf ball zone.
• 
  Réunion Island: risk of falling palm fronds.
• 
  Sweden: quail crossing.
• 
  Israel: camel zone sign, multilingual.
• 
  Norway: military exercise underway.
• 
  Bulgaria: children ("don't have brakes").
• 
  Scotland: passing zone (plus hand-painted caution lambs sign on old tire).
• 
  Bosnia: (1992-95 wartime) hand-painted Alert Snipers!
• 
  U.S. (Alaska): deadly cold, proceed only at your own risk.
• 
  U.S. (California): message to Mexican infiltrators that crossing the desert can be fatal.
• 
  Czech, Alert: traffic accidents with serious consequences.
• 
  Netherlands, meaning unknown.

• Vandal-modified joke signs
• 
  Germany: generic caution with added Santa sleigh.
• 
  Sweden: generic caution symbol with added skvader jackalope.
• 
  In Finland. a generic caution with vandal-added hedgehog picture.
• 
  Vandal added skis to an Austrian Cattle Crossing sign.
• 
  Germany: stork area with added droppings.
• 
  In France, a vandal added animals.
• 
  Generic Warning symbol to which a Czech vandal added: "beware of low-flying witches".
• 
  Australian Cassowary Crossing and Speed Bump signs modified by vandal to be a combined before and after roadkill scene.
• 
  Pedestrian Crossing with added wings and beverage can.
• 
  In Scotland, Cattle Crossing sign vandal-modified to warn against elephants.
• 
  Germany: waiter added to caution sign.

Warning signs with lights

Some warning signs have flashing lights to alert drivers of conditions ahead or remind drivers to slow down. In Britain, they are called warning light.

• Attached lights
• 
  School zone traffic warning sign in Denmark.
• 
  France red traffic signal ahead.
• 
  Crosswalk alert with solar-powered lit outline.
• 
  Denmark portable multipurpose traffic warning array.
• 
  School Zone sign with warning light in U.S.
• 
  U.S. flood zone sign.

Non-traffic warning signs

Warning signs are also found on other potential dangerous sites. At the base of electricity pylons or fences of substations or radiotechnical equipment with open parts leading high voltage, there are signs warning of high voltage. Warning signs can be found at the top of inclines. "Beware of Dog" is a typical warning of the presence of a dog, but there is no standard sign design. Others include wet floor signs.

See also

• Hazard symbol