Road Traffic Signs - Signals

Basic Rules of the Road

The rules enlisted under this category are to be meant for all the people sharing the roads. The idea behind
formulating such rules is that the roads are meant not only for the drivers (including
motorists/cyclists/motorcyclists), but are shared by the pedestrians and animals by the road side. The rules
belonging to these categories are mandatory to be followed while using the roads. You can observe all the
above-stated rules only if you are patient, considerate and careful..

Traffic Signals

A traffic light, traffic signal or a stop light is a signaling device positioned at a road intersection to indicate
when it is safe to wade through. The traffic signal passes on its information using a universal color code

STOP & WAIT GET READY GO

• Road Signals

Signs form a vital and integral part of the trafficking system for the safety of the road users. As per IRC
(Indian Roads Congress) Road Signs are for indications on the road the road signs are categorized into 3
types:

Mandatory Signs or Regulatory Signs

Straight Prohibited or No Vehicle Prohibited in Both

One Way Sign One Way Sign
Entry Directions

All Motor Vehicles

Truck Prohibited Bullock Cart Prohibited Tonga Prohibited
Prohibited

Hand Cart Prohibited Cycle Prohibited Pedestrians Prohibited Right turn Prohibited
 Left Tturn Prohibited U-Turn Prohibited Overtaking Prohibited Horn Prohibited

Bullock Cart & Cart

Length Limit Speed Limit Load Limit
Prohibited

Height Limit Width Limit Axle Load Limit Restriction Ends Sign

Compulsory Ahead
No Parking No Stopping or Standing Compulsory Keep Left
Only

Compulsory Turn Right Compulsory Turn Left

Compulsory Turn Left Compulsory Tturn Right
Ahead Ahead

Compulsory Ahead or Compulsory Ahead or Compulsory Cycle

Compulsory Sound Horn
Turn Left Turn Right Track

Stop Give Way

Cautionary or Warning or Precautionary Signs

Right Hand Curve Left Hand Curve Right Hair Pin Bend Left Hair Pin Bend Right Reverse Bend

Left Reverse Bend Steep Ascent Steep Descent Narrow Road Ahead Road Wideness Ahead

Narrow Bridge Slippery Road Loose Gravel Cycle Crossing Pedestrian Crossing

School Ahead Men at Work Cattle Falling Rocks Ferry

Cross Road Gap in Median Side Road Right Side Road Left Y-Intersection

Y-Intersection Y-Intersection T-Intersection Staggered Intersection Staggered Intersection

Major Road Ahead Major Road Ahead Roundabout Dangerous Dip Hump or Rough Road
 Barrier Ahead 200 Meters 50-100 Meters 200 Meters 50-100 Meters

Informatory Road Signs

Advanced Direction Sign Re-Assurance Sign

Destination Sign Place Identification Sign

Hospital First Aid Post

Resting Place Eating Place

No Through Road No Through Side Road

 Park This Side Park This Both Side

Parking Lot Taxis Parking Lot Auto rickshaws

Parking Lot Cycle rickshaws Parking Lot Cycles

Parking Lot Scooters and Motorcycle Barrier Ahead

• Hand Signals

Hand Signals or Manual Regulation Signs are the gestures used to regulate traffic on the road using the hand
movements. Traffic policemen use these actions to Regulate traffic particularly at intersections while the drivers
use these signals to Notify the other users on the road about his intentions. Based on the person these Can be
categorized as:

Traffic Police Hand Signals

 To start one sided vehicles To stop vehicles coming from front

To stop vehicles approaching simultaneously from

To stop vehicles approaching from behind
front and behind

To stop vehicles approaching simultaneously from

To start vehicle approaching from left
right and left
To start vehicles coming from right To change sign

To start one sided vehicles To start vehicles on T-Point

To give VIP salute To manage vehicles on T-Point

Hand Signals by Drivers

I intend to move in to the left or turn left

I intend to move out to the right or changing the lane or turn right

I intend to stop

I intend to slow down

Indicating the car following you to overtake

• Road Markings and Pavement Markings

Road markings or pavement markings were introduced in 1920s. Initially, they were used to indicate the road's
centerline. But, as they traffic increased, so did the roads and the lanes and later with the multi lane roads they
were used to define lanes. With the times, they too have evolved a lot adorned with the information to aid motorists
in passing safely.
Road Marking or Pavement Marking Signs

Centre Line Marking For A Two Lane Road

Lane Line And Broken Centre Line

Centre Barrier Line Marking For A Four Lane Road

Centre Barrier Line Marking For A Six Lane Road

Double White/Yellow Lines:

Used where visibility is restricted in both directions. Neither
stream of traffic is allowed to cross the lines.

Combination Of Solid And Broken Lines:

• If the line on your side is broken, you may cross or

straddle it. OverTake - but only if it is safe to do so.

• If the line on your side is continious you must not

cross or straddle it.

Stop Line:
A stop line is a single solid transverse line painted before the
intersecting edge of the road junction/ intersection.This line
indicates where you are required to stop when directed by
traffic officer, traffic light of stop sign. Where a pedestrian
crossing is provided, the stop line is marked before the
pedestrian crossing.

Border or Edge Lines:

These are continuous lines at the edge of the carriageway
and mark the limits of the main carriageway upto which a
driver can safely venture.

Parking Prohibited Lines:

A solid continuous yellow line painted on the kerb or edge of
the carriageway along with a "No-parking" sign indicates the
extent of no-parking area.
Yellow Box Junctions or Keep Clear:
These are yellow crossed diagonal lines within the box. The
vehicles should cross it only if they have a clear space
available ahead of the yellow box. In this marked area
vehicles must not stop even briefly.
Pedestrian Crossings
These are alternate black and white stripes painted parallel
to the road generally known as zebra crossing. Pedestrians
must cross only at the point where these lines are provided
and when the signal is in their favour at controlled
crossings.You must stop and give way to pedestrians at
these crossings. Pedestrian crossings are marked to
facilitate and give the right of way to pedestrians.