Signs, Signals and Roadway Markings
Signs, Signals and Roadway Markings
As drivers we are subjected to a lot of information as we travel on the roadways. We must therefore be aware of all other traffic including individuals riding bicycles, pedestrians, traffic signs, signals, roadway markings and business advertisements. Traffic signs and signals not only provide valuable information through written information, but they are also color coded to assist drivers in recognizing the type of information the sign is providing.
There are eight different color schemes to assist drivers in recognizing the different type of signs. The following is a description of each of the eight signs and colors.
| Yellow | General Warning |
| Brown | Recreation areas and scenic guidance |
| Red | Do Not Enter or Wrong Way |
| Green | Guide, directional information |
| Orange | Construction, maintenance warning |
| White/Black | Regulatory |
| Blue | Motor Service Guidance Also used to identify parking spaces for disabled drivers |
GREEN LIGHTS
Florida State Statute 316.075 requires vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal to proceed cautiously straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. Vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.
YELLOW LIGHTS
A driver facing a steady yellow signal is warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately and should stop before the white lateral line of the roadway unless such stop would be a danger to themselves or other vehicles.
RED LIGHTS
A driver facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain stationary until a green indication is shown. The stop shall be made before the white lateral stop line or if there is no line the stop is to be made before the nearest intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic.
A right turn on red is permissible if there is no posted sign prohibiting such turn. When any right turn on red is made a driver must yield to any pedestrian or cyclist in the intersection. A two-way signal is to direct traffic flowing from two different directions with the exception of signals with turning arrows that should be in accordance with one another.
| When a traffic light malfunctions the intersection automatically become a stop intersection requiring each vehicle approaching the intersection to stop before proceeding. |
FLASHING TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS
Flashing Yellow Arrow
A flashing yellow arrow means left turns are allowed. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The oncoming traffic has a green light.
Green Arrow
A green arrow, pointing right or left, means you may make a turn in the direction of the arrow. If the red light is illuminated at the same time, you must be in the proper lane for such a turn and you must yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians clearing the intersection.
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.
YIELD SIGNS
Yield signs are red and white with red letters. The yield sign informs a driver to an upcoming hazard or road condition that does not reflect an immediate condition. A yield sign requires a driver to slow down and stop when necessary and may proceed when safe to do so. A flashing yellow light has the same meaning as a yield sign.
STOP SIGNS
Stop signs are red with white letters. Stop signs require a driver to make a mandatory stop and proceed only when it is safe to do so. At a stop sign, the purpose of the white painted limit line is to prevent the driver from entering the crosswalk or intersection inadvertently or at an excessive speed and shows the driver where to make the stop before proceeding through. Rolling stops are not acceptable. A driver must come to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection. A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign.
Drivers are required to stop prior to any marked crosswalk and at the white lateral stop line. If there is no marked crosswalk, a driver is required to stop prior to an intersection sidewalk and if none then prior to the intersecting intersection.
CENTER LINES
Double yellow lines mean no passing. However, a driver may by law make turns over and left turns out of a driveway and crossovers from driveway to driveway as long as the flow of traffic is not impeded and no excessive speed is used. If oncoming vehicles must slow or make drastic maneuvers, these are not safe actions.
Single broken yellow lines indicate traffic flowing in two (opposite) directions, while a single broken white line signals traffic flowing in two lanes in the same direction. Most single broken yellow lines are seen on two lane rural roadways. A single broken white line indicates to drivers that traffic is flowing in two lanes in the same direction. A driver should only cross broken lines with caution, when it is legal, safe, and necessary to do so.
A road limit line is the white lateral painted line on a roadway. It normally marks the confines of an intersection or the place where a driver is required to stop. A driver must stop behind the limit line at an intersection or street controlled by a traffic light and proceed when the signal changes. If a driver cannot see traffic clearly they are required to stop at the limit line and then move forward and stop again before crossing a roadway or entering an intersection.
At a street or intersection with a stop sign, the driver shall stop behind the limit line and then proceed out into the intersection at a cautious speed to start a turn or other maneuver. On roads or intersections without limit or crosswalk lines, the driver should use the end of the curb as a determination of where the intersection starts and where the vehicle should stop. At a blind intersection, the driver should go no more than 15 mph and exercise extreme caution.
BICYCLE LANES
Bicycle lanes were designed for the use of cyclists. Drivers may not drive in a bicycle lane unless they are entering or leaving the highway, making a turn or parking where parking is permitted, but not in the bicycle lane. Bicycle riders must ride in the bicycle lane if they are available. Bicycle lanes should be entered and driven through with extreme caution.
CROSSWALKS
Crosswalks are designed for pedestrians to cross the road safely. Crosswalks may be painted on the roadway and may be controlled by Walk and Don’t Walk Signs or a Crosswalk may be unmarked. If the crosswalks are marked, a driver must stop at the marked limit line or if unmarked, a driver must stop before entering the intersection.
A driver approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway. When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at the same time the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. A driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a state-maintained road or highway from a paved or unpaved road and not subject to control by an official traffic control device shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the state-maintained road or highway.
TURN LANES
At selected intersections a driver may encounter turn lanes. These lanes are designed for completing either left or right turns. The lanes may be controlled by turn arrow signals which provide an indication to a driver when a turn may be legally made. Drivers need to keep in mind if there is a red turn signal arrow, a driver may not proceed until there is a green arrow signal. The arrow signal will direct the driver in the direction they are to travel. Green, yellow and red turn arrow signals have the same meaning as green, yellow and red traffic signals.
A driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall signal using either hand signals or the vehicles turn signals and shall pass to the left of the vehicle ahead at a safe distance, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, a driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on audible signal or upon the visible blinking of the vehicles headlamps of the overtaking vehicle if such overtaking is being attempted at nighttime, and shall not increase the speed of their vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as it is feasible to do so and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.
No vehicle shall be driven from a direct course in any lane on any highway until the driver has determined that the vehicle is not being approached or passed by any other vehicle in the lane or on the side to which the driver desires to move and that the move can be completely made with safety and without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the same direction.
No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:
- When approaching or upon the crest of a grade where the driver’s view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction;
- Upon a curve in the highway where the driver’s view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction;
- When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection, except that this section shall not apply to any intersection on a state-maintained or county-maintained highway located outside city limits unless such intersection is marked by an official Department of Transportation or county road department traffic control device indicating an intersection either by symbol or by words and such marking is placed at least 100 feet before the intersection;
- When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any railroad grade crossing;
- When the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.
Where signs or markings are in place to define a no-passing zone a driver shall not at any time drive on the left side of the roadway.