Page 36 - Georgia Drivers Manual 2020
P. 36
7SECTION Road Signs
SIGNS, SIGNALS Shapes of Signs
& MARKINGS The State of Georgia uses seven basic shapes of signs to convey traffic control instructions.
This Section Covers Drivers should know signs by their shapes and colors so that they may recognize them from a
distance and begin reacting timely and appropriately.
Road Signs............................................................. 34
Shapes of Signs................................................... 34 Vertical Rectangle
Regulatory Signs.................................................. 35 signs are generally
Warning Signs...................................................... 36 used for regulatory
Guide Signs.......................................................... 38 signs, which tell you
Construction and Maintenance what you must do.
Warning Signs...................................................... 39 You must obey them
Service Signs....................................................... 39 in the same manner
as traffic laws.
Traffic Signals and Signs..................................... 40
Lane Control Signals............................................ 40 Horizontal Rectangle Diamond shaped signs warn of existing or possible
Overhead Lane Signs........................................... 40 signs are generally hazards on roadways or adjacent areas. They are
Pedestrian Signals............................................... 40 used as guide signs. yellow with black words indicating the potential
HAWK Signal........................................................ 41 They show locations, hazard, or black symbols visually describing the
directions, or other potential hazard.
Pavement Markings.............................................. 42 special information.
Stop Lines............................................................ 42
Crosswalk Lines................................................... 42
Railroad Crossings .............................................. 42
Center Lines......................................................... 42
No Passing Lines.................................................. 42
Edge Lines............................................................ 42
Lane Lines............................................................ 42
Turn Lanes........................................................... 43
Bicycle Lanes....................................................... 43
Roundabouts........................................................ 43
Traffic Striping..................................................... 42
It’s the Law An Octagon (eight-sided shape) always means A round sign means you are approaching a rail-
stop. When you come to it, you must make a com- road crossing. This sign is posted a few hundred
Georgia law requires that all drivers, including plete stop at a marked stop line. If there is no stop feet in front of the tracks and alerts you to slow
bicyclists, obey official highway signs and traf- line, stop before the crosswalk on your side of the down, look, listen and prepare to stop. If neces-
fic control signals unless otherwise directed by intersection. If there is no crosswalk, stop at a point sary, roll down a window and listen carefully for an
a police officer or emergency worker. from which you can best see oncoming traffic. approaching train. If a train is approaching, stop!
You must not start again until all pedestrians have Do not try to calculate whether you can “make it”
finished crossing on the side of the roadway you across the track. Never try to beat a train through
are traveling on, and you have yielded the right- the intersection. Passing is prohibited at all railroad
of-way to closely approaching traffic. crossings.
Triangle signs mean yield. You must slow down to Pentagon shaped signs mean you are approaching
a speed that is reasonable for existing conditions a school zone and/or school crossing. When used,
and stop if necessary. If you must stop, do so at they will be erected not less than 150 feet nor more
a marked stop line, if it exists. After slowing or than 700 feet in advance of the school grounds or
stopping, you must yield the right-of-way to other school crossing. (These signs can sometimes be
vehicles in the intersection or approaching closely fluorescent green in color.)
on another roadway or auxiliary road leading into
a major highway.
34 2019-2020 DRIVERS MANUAL
