Page 16 - Georgia Motorcycle Operators Manual 2020

1SECTION : MOTORCYCLE RIDER LICENSING

1.5 – S igns, Signals and Road Markings Vertical Rectangle signs are generally used for
regulatory signs, which tell you what you must
Georgia law requires that all drivers, including motorcyclists, obey offi- do. You must obey them in the same manner
cial highway signs and traffic control signals unless otherwise directed as traffic laws.
by a police officer or emergency worker.
Road Signs Regulatory Signs
Shapes of Signs Regulatory signs tell drivers what they may or may not do. Drivers,

The State of Georgia uses seven basic shapes of signs to convey traffic including bicyclists, must obey them in the same manner as traffic laws.
control instructions. Drivers should know signs by their shapes and colors Remember, a red circle with a red slash from upper left to lower right
so that they may recognize them from a distance and begin reacting. means “No.” The picture within the circle shows what is prohibited.

An Octagon (eight-sided shape) always means This marks a one-way road. If you are facing
stop. When you come to it, you must make a com- this sign traffic is coming toward you. You must
plete stop at a marked stop line. If there is no stop not continue down the road.
line, stop before the crosswalk on your side of the
intersection. If there is no crosswalk, stop at a point
from which you can best see oncoming traffic.
You must not start again until all pedestrians have
finished crossing on the side of the roadway you
are traveling on, and you have yielded the right-
of-way to closely approaching traffic.

Triangle signs mean yield. You must slow down to Motorist is approaching a one-way highway
a speed that is reasonable for existing conditions or ramp.
and stop if necessary. If you must stop, do so at Motorist may travel only in the direction of the
a marked stop line, if it exists. After slowing or arrow.
stopping, you must yield the right-of-way to other
vehicles in the intersection or approaching closely
on another roadway or auxiliary road leading into
a major highway.
Round signs mean you are approaching a railroad
crossing. This sign is posted a few hundred feet
in front of the tracks and alerts you to slow down,
look, listen and prepare to stop. Listen carefully
for an approaching train. If the train is approach-
ing, stop! Do not try to calculate whether you can
“make it” across the track. Never try to beat a train
through the intersection. Passing is prohibited at
all railroad crossings.

Diamond shaped signs warn of existing or possible
hazards on roadways or adjacent areas. They are
yellow with black words indicating the potential
hazard, or black symbols visually describing the
potential hazard.

Traffic is required to keep to the right of medi-
ans or obstructions.

Pentagon shaped signs mean you are approaching Motorist cannot turn around to go in the op-
a school zone and/or school crossing. When used, posite direction at this intersection.
they will be erected not less than 150 feet nor more
than 700 feet in advance of the school grounds or
school crossing. (Warning signs can sometimes
be fluorescent green in color.)
Horizontal Rectangle signs are generally used as
guide signs. They show locations, directions, or
other special information.

14 2019-2020 GEORGIA MOTORCYCLE OPERATORS MANUAL