Florida Driver's Handbook (2000 edition) :: Chapter Four

Traffic signals are placed at intersections to keep traffic moving and avoid accidents. Drivers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders must obey these signals except when an officer is directing traffic. Stop on the stop line if your car is nearest the signal. Some signals change only when a car is at the stop line. If traffic signals are out of order, stop as you would for a four-way stop sign.

Come to a complete stop at the marked stop line or before moving into the crosswalk or intersection. After stopping, you may turn right on red at most intersections if the way is clear. Some intersections display a "NO TURN ON RED" sign, which you must obey. Left turns on red from a one-way street into a one-way street are also allowed.

Yellow

Stop if you can. The light will soon be red.

Go - but only if the intersection is clear. Yield to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection. If turning left, wait for gap in oncoming traffic to complete turn.

Come to a complete stop at the marked stop line or before moving into the crosswalk or intersection. After stopping, you may turn right on red arrow at most intersections if the way is clear. Some intersections display a "NO TURN ON RED" sign, which you must obey. Left turns on red arrow from a one-way street into a one-way street are also allowed.

Stop if you can. The light will soon be red. The yellow arrow means the same as the yellow light, but applies only to movement in the direction of the arrow.

A green arrow, pointing right or left, means you may make a turn in the direction of the arrow, if you are in the proper lane for such a turn, after yielding the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians within the intersection, even if the red light is burning at the same time.

Flashing Signals

A flashing red light means the same thing as a stop sign. It is used at dangerous intersections.
A flashing yellow light means you may move forward with caution. It is used at or just before dangerous intersections, or to alert you to a warning sign such as a school crossing or sharp curve.

Lane Signals

Lane signals are used:

You must never drive in a lane under a red X.

A yellow X means that your lane signal is going to change to red. Prepare to leave the lane safely.

You may drive in lanes beneath the green arrow, but you must also obey all other signs and signals.

Traffic signs - Standard Shapes and Colors

There are eight shapes and eight colors of traffic signs. Each shape and each color has an exact meaning, so you must acquaint yourself with all of them.

The shape of a road sign can tell you as much about the sign's message as its color.

OCTAGON: Exclusively for stop signs.
HORIZONTAL RECTANGLE: Generally for guide signs.
TRIANGLE: Exclusively for yield signs.
PENNANT: Advance warning of no passing zones.

DIAMOND: Exclusively to warn of existing or possible hazards on roadways or adjacent areas.

VERTICAL RECTANGLE: Generally for regulatory signs.

PENTAGON: School advance and school crossing signs.
ROUND: railroad advance warning signs.

CROSSBUCK: Railroad crossing.

Octagon: Stop

STOP SIGNS are always octagonal (8 sided). A stop sign means that you must bring your vehicle to a complete halt at the marked stop line.

If there is no marked stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no crosswalk, stop at a point nearest the intersecting roadway where you have a clear view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection.

A four-way stop sign means that there are four stop signs at this intersection. Traffic from all four directions must stop. The first vehicle to reach the intersection should move forward first. If two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Triangle: Yield

Slow down and give vehicles crossing your path the right-of-way. If the way is clear, you may move forward slowly without stopping. Yield signs are usually placed where auxiliary roads lead into major roads.

Pennant: No Passing

You are entering a no passing zone. This sign is placed on the left side of the road, facing the driver.

Diamond: Warning

Narrow bridge. These signs warn you of special conditions or dangers ahead. Words or symbols on the sign will show why you need to use caution.

Pentagon: School Sign:

This five-sided sign means you are near a school. Watch for children.

School Crossing

As you approach this sign, slow down, watch for children crossing the road. Stop if necessary. Obey signals from any crossing guards.

Warning Signs

Here are some common warning signs. These signs give you advance notice of possible hazards ahead. Drive with caution.

1. SLIPPERY WHEN WET. In wet weather, drive slowly. Do not speed up or brake quickly. Make sharp turns at a very slow speed.
2. DIVIDED HIGHWAY AHEAD. The highway ahead is divided into two one-way roadways. Keep to the right.
3. DIVIDED HIGHWAY ENDS. The divided highway on which you are traveling ends 350 to 500 feet ahead. You will then be on a roadway with two-way traffic. Keep to the right.

4. LOW CLEARANCE. Do not enter if your vehicle is taller than the height listed on the sign.
5. BICYCLE CROSSING. Warns you in advance that a bikeway crosses the roadway ahead.
6. MERGING TRAFFIC. You are coming to a point where another traffic lane joins the one you are on. Watch for other traffic and be ready to yield the right-of-way when necessary.

7. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. Watch for people crossing the street. Slow down or stop if necessary.
8. NARROW BRIDGE. The bridge is wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic, but with very little clearance.
9. DIP. There is a low place in the road. Go slowly and be ready to stop if the dip is filled with water.

10. SOFT SHOULDER. The dirt on the side of the road is soft. Don't leave the pavement except in an emergency.
11. ONE LANE BRIDGE. The bridge is wide enough for only one vehicle at a time. Make sure the bridge is clear of oncoming traffic before you cross.
12. PAVEMENT ENDS. Road surface ahead changes from a hard surfaced pavement to a low-type surface or earth road.

13. RIGHT CURVE. Slow your speed and keep well to the left. The road will curve to the right.
14. DOUBLE CURVE. The road will curve to the right, then to the left. Slow your speed, keep to the right, and do not pass.
15. WINDING ROAD. There are several curves ahead. Drive slowly and carefully.

16. TRUCK CROSSING. Watch for trucks entering or crossing the highway.
17. CROSS ROAD. A road crosses the main highway ahead. Look to the left and right for other traffic.
18. SIDE ROAD. Another road enters the highway from the direction shown. Watch for traffic from that direction.

19. SHARP RIGHT TURN. The road will make a sharp turn to the right. Slow your speed, keep to the right, and do not pass other vehicles.
20. REDUCTION OF LANES. There will be fewer lanes ahead. Traffic must merge left. Drivers in the left lane should allow others to merge smoothly. Right lane ends.
21. ADVISORY SPEED SIGN. The highest safe speed you should travel around the curve ahead is 25 miles per hour. Advisory speed signs may be used with any diamond-shaped warning sign.

22. HILL/DOWNGRADE. Slow down and be ready to shift to lower gear to control speed and save brakes.
23. YIELD AHEAD. Warning of yield sign ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop at yield sign or adjust speed to traffic.
24. TRAFFIC SIGNAL AHEAD. Warning of traffic signals at intersection ahead. Slow down, poor visibility is likely.

25. STOP SIGN AHEAD. When you come to this sign, slow down to be ready to stop at the stop sign check.
26. TWO-WAY TRAFFIC AHEAD. The one-way street or roadway ahead ends. You will then be facing oncoming traffic.

Rectangle: Regulatory or Information

These signs tell you the law, so you must follow their instructions.

Remember that a red circle with a slash means NO. The sign shows you what is not allowed.

NO U-TURN. - You cannot make a complete turn to go in the opposite direction where this sign is displayed. No U-turn.

You must not make a right turn at this intersection.

50 miles per hour is the highest safest speed you can travel in this area.

You cannot go straight ahead. You must turn either to the right or left.

You are going the wrong way on an expressway exit ramp. Do not drive past this sign. Turn around immediately.

A divided highway is ahead. Stay on the right side of the divider.

Parking only for vehicles displaying an official permit and transporting a disabled person.

You may travel only in the direction of the arrow.

This sign lists the maximum recommended safe speed for an entrance or exit on an expressway. Slow down to whatever speed is shown.

You may not turn right or left during the red light. You must wait for the signal to turn green.

A diamond-shaped marking shows that a lane is reserved for certain purposes or certain vehicles. The lanes are usually reserved for buses or car-pool vehicles during rush hour traffic. Other diamond signs are used to designate bicycle lanes.

The center lane is shared for left turns in both directions of travel.

You must not pass any other vehicles going in the same direction as you are, while you are in this area.

When you have passed this sign, you are again permitted to pass other vehicles with care.

Traffic in left lane must turn left at the intersection ahead.

Stopping permitted only for emergencies.

You are approaching an area where a reduced speed zone has been established.

At the intersection ahead traffic in left lane must turn left and traffic in adjoining lane may turn left or continue straight ahead.

This sign is used on multiple lane highways to advise slower driving traffic to stay in the right hand lane; and also to do so when approached from behind by other traffic even if you are doing the speed limit.

This marks a one-way roadway with traffic coming toward you. You must not enter the one-way roadway at this point.

You must not turn either to the right or to the left at this intersection.

If you park, you must always park off the pavement of the highway.

When entering a right turn lane motorists will conflict with bicycle through movements. Always yield.

ANIMAL CROSSING. The animal pictured on the sign is common in this area: watch for this species crossing the road particularly during twilight and nighttime hours.

Railroad Crossing Signs and Signals

There are several signs, signals and pavement markings that indicate highway- railroad crossings. When you see one of them, slow down and be ready to stop.

REMEMBER:

Trains cannot stop quickly. An average freight train traveling at 30 MPH needs a stopping distance of more than half a mile. Longer trains moving at faster speeds can take one and a half miles or more to stop.

Any person walking or driving a vehicle and approaching a railroad- highway grade crossing must stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the the railroad when the electrical or mechanical warning devices are flashing; or the crossing gate is lowered or human flagger is warning of an approaching train; or there is an approaching train clearly visible and is in hazardous proximity to the railroad-highway grade crossing, and must not proceed until he or she can do so safely.

Pavement markings, consisting of an RXR followed by a stop line closer to the tracks, may be painted on the paved approach to a crossing. Any person walking or driving a vehicle must stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet of the crossing. Stay behind the stop line while waiting for a train to pass.

The advance warning sign is usually the first sign you see when approaching a highway-rail intersection. The advance warning sign advises you to slow down, look, listen for a train, and be prepared to stop if a train is approaching.

Crossbuck signs are found at highway-rail intersections. They are yield signs. You are legally required to yield the right of way to trains. Slow down, look and listen for a train, and stop if a train approaches. When the road crosses over more than one set of tracks, a sign below the crossbuck will indicate the number of tracks.

At many highway-rail crossings, the crossbuck has flashing red lights and bells. When the lights begin to flash, stop! A train is approaching. DO NOT STOP ON THE TRACKS OR WITHIN SIX FEET OF EITHER RAIL. Do not move forward until you can do so safely. If there is more than one track, make sure all tracks are clear before crossing. In heavy traffic make sure there is room for your vehicle on the other side before starting to cross.

Many crossings have gates with flashing red lights and bells. Stop when the lights begin to flash, and before the gate lowers across your side of the road. Do not move forward until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing as there may be a train approaching on an adjacent track.

Always approach highway-railroad crossings at a reasonable speed - and be prepared to stop if you have to. Be especially alert when you are following buses or trucks which may have to stop at highway-railroad crossings even if any gates are up and the warning lights are not flashing.

If your car stalls on the tracks don't hesitate. Get yourself and your passengers out and away from the car immediately. If a collision is imminent, the safest direction is toward the train but stay off the tracks. That way you will be least likely to be hit by your vehicle or any debris from the collision.

Construction and Maintenance Traffic Control Signs

Various traffic control devices are used in road construction and maintenance work areas to direct drivers and pedestrians safely through the work site and to provide for the safety of highway workers.

Be prepared to reduce your speed and use caution when directed to do so by a sign, flagger and/or police officer.

Construction and maintenance signs are used to notify drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions in or near work areas. Most signs used in highway and street work areas are diamond shaped.

Channelizing Devices

Barricades, vertical panels, drums, and cones are the most commonly used devices to alert drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions in highway and street work zones. These devices are used to guide the drivers safely through the work area, and at night, they may be equipped with warning lights. When a Road Closed sign is displayed, do not drive on this road. Look for a detour or another route.

Stripes on barricades and panel devices slope downward in the direction traffic must travel.

Flashing Arrow Panels

Flashing arrow panels are used both during the day and at night to give advance warning and directional information to drivers where it is necessary to move to the right or to the left into another lane.

A horizontal flashing bar indicates a warning - use caution approaching the work area.

Flaggers

Flaggers are often provided in highway and street work zones to stop, slow, or guide traffic safely through the area.

Flaggers wear orange vests or jackets and use red flags or stop/slow panels to direct traffic through work zones.

Special Signs

SLOW MOVING VEHICLE
Vehicles going less than 25 miles per hour (such as farm equipment) must display this sign on the rear when using public highways.
GREEN GUIDE SIGNS
Green and white signs give information about directions and distances. Guide signs on expressways show you which lanes to use to get where you want to go.
Routes that run generally East-West have even numbers and those running North-South have odd numbers.

BLUE SERVICE SIGNS
Blue and white signs direct you to services, such as gas, food, motels and hospitals. Brown and white signs point out scenic areas and parks.

Pavement Markings

Road markings are used to guide and warn drivers. Markings may be either yellow or white. Each has a different meaning. Yellow center line markings separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction.

Some of the basic rules that must be followed are:

Yellow Center Line Markings

Broken
A broken yellow line shows that you may pass on the left when the way ahead is clear. Remember that you are facing oncoming traffic, so overtaking and passing should be done with care.

Solid & Broken
A solid yellow line to the right of a broken yellow center line means passing or crossing is prohibited in that lane, except when turning left.

Double Yellow
Double solid yellow lines show that passing is not allowed in either direction. You may not cross the lines unless you are making a left turn.

Broken
Broken white lines separate lines of traffic going in the same direction. They may be crossed with care.

Solid with Turn Lane Arrow

Solid white lines are used for turn lanes and to discourage lane changes near intersections. Arrows are often used with the white lines to show which turn may be made from the lane.

If you are in a lane marked with a curved arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in the direction of the arrow. If your lane is marked with both a curved and straight arrow, you may either turn or go straight.

Double White

Double solid white lines indicate that changing lanes is not allowed.

Reversible Lanes

Some highways have reversible traffic lanes to help handle rush-hour traffic. The direction of traffic is normally reversed at set times each day. These pavement markings are used along with special lane signals and other signs and symbols.

A solid white line marks the edge of the pavement on most roads. Stop lines, crosswalks and parking spaces are also marked by white lines. Symbols such as arrows are in white also. A single yellow line marks the left edge of all divided or one-way roadways. Curbs are often marked yellow in no-parking zones near fire hydrants or intersections.

It is unlawful to park in or drive through areas that have pavement markings indicating fire lanes or safety zones.

The lane marking arrow, in the center lane in the diagram below, indicates that traffic in this lane can be reversed in accordance with local traffic controls due to "rush hour" traffic or other special traffic conditions.

Two-Way Roadway with Center Lane

Two-way roadway with a center lane for left turns in either direction of travel. The specially marked center turn lane is intended for slowing down and for sheltering of turning vehicles and may not be used for passing.

Chapter 4

Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings

Traffic Control Signals