Page 29 - FINAL GA Drivers Manual Updated July 2021

SECTION 7

SIGNS, SIGNALS Road Signs
& MARKINGS
Shapes of Signs
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 ............................................................ 28
Shapes of Signs .................................................. 28
Regulatory Signs ................................................. 29 Vertical Rectangle
Warning Signs ..................................................... 30 signs are generally
Guide Signs ......................................................... 32 used for regulatory
Construction and Maintenance signs, which tell you
Warning Signs ..................................................... 33 what you must do.
Service Signs ...................................................... 33 You must obey them
Traffic Signals and Signs .................................... 34 in the same manner
as traffic laws.
Lane Control Signals ............................................ 34
Overhead Lane Signs .......................................... 34
Pedestrian Signals .............................................. 34
PHB/HAWK Signal ............................................. 35
Pavement Markings ............................................. 36 Horizontal Rectangle Diamond shaped signs warn of existing or possible
Stop Lines ........................................................... 36 signs are generally hazards on roadways or adjacent areas. They are
Crosswalk Lines .................................................. 36 used as guide signs. yellow with black words indicating the potential
Railroad Crossings ............................................. 36 They show locations, hazard, or black symbols visually describing the
Center Lines ....................................................... 36 directions, or other potential hazard.
No Passing Lines ................................................ 36 special information.
Edge Lines .......................................................... 36
Lane Lines ...........................................................36
Traffic Striping .................................................... 36
Turn Lanes ........................................................... 37
Bicycle Lanes ..................................................... 37
Roundabouts ....................................................... 37

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
a speed that is reasonable for existing conditions
and stop if necessary. If you must stop, do so at Pentagon shaped signs mean you are approaching
a marked stop line, if it exists. After slowing or a school zone and/or school crossing. When used,
stopping, you must yield the right-of-way to other they will be erected not less than 150 feet nor more
vehicles in the intersection or approaching closely than 700 feet in advance of the school grounds or
on another roadway or auxiliary road leading into school crossing. (These signs can sometimes be
a major highway. fluorescent green in color.)

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