SECTION 3.4

What information about a highway is encoded in its route number? Can you legally cross a single white line marking your lane? If two cars arrive at a stop-sign-controlled intersection at the same moment, which one has the right-of-way? A closer look at those familiar signs, signals, and markings that blanket our roadways will facilitate route planning and make it easier to navigate unusual traffic situations.

This section is a summary of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety film:

"Signs, Signals and Roadway Markings"

Along the roadway, there are hundreds of images that help you find your way. Your job as a driver is to pick out the information that will help you arrive safely at your destination.

You get much of this information in the form of traffic control signs, signals, and markings. Recognizing these signs, signals, and markings will give you advance notice of changes ahead -- such as merges, reductions in speed or upcoming intersections. Knowing what they mean allows you to anticipate and react to changing traffic conditions so you can drive more safely and smoothly.

This section will discuss the rules and underlying logic behind traffic signs, signals, and markings and why they are important to you.

Markings

The streets themselves communicate with painted messages called markings.
There are two general rules about markings that tell you where you may and may not drive:

1. White lines are on the right side of each traffic lane and yellow lines are on the left.

2. Solid, or unbroken, lines tell you where you may not pass or change lanes; dashed or broken lines permit you to pass or change lanes.

For example, on a two-lane road, the solid white line to the right marks the edge of the roadway. The yellow line on the left separates you from oncoming traffic.

A double solid yellow line on your left means that it is not legal for you or for oncoming traffic to pass. If there is a dashed and solid line together and the broken line is on your side of the road, you may pass traffic ahead of you if you can do so safely. However, opposing traffic is not allowed to pass the solid line.

A dashed yellow line on the left means that you and opposing traffic may pass. If you decide to pass, make sure you have enough room to pass safely.

On multi-lane roads with medians, broken white lines usually separate the lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Solid yellow lines mark the left side of the road and solid white lines mark the right side.

A single solid white line is intended to discourage, but not prohibit you from changing lanes. Although in some states crossing a single solid white line is illegal, it is legal to do so in Virginia, unless the solid white line designates a turn.

Keep in mind that the single solid white line is there for a reason and is meant to discourage you from crossing it. If you decide to cross it anyway, you may be guilty of an unsafe lane change depending on the circumstances. Only cross a solid white line if it is safe to do so.

Very short dashed white lines indicate a merge lane you may need to make a lane change to continue straight ahead.

Yellow warning signs also alert you to a merge lane.

Short white lines like these guide you through large complex intersections.

In addition to lane markings, you will also often see reflectors. Again, white marks the right edge and yellow the left; these lane markings are especially helpful at night or when it is hard to see the edges of the road.

Highway Signs

Shape and color play an important role in highway signs. It is practically impossible to read every sign, but you can use their color and shapes to pick out those that are most important to you. Even if you cannot read them from a distance, their shape and color give you some idea of their meaning.

As a rule, the color red indicates "stop" or conveys a significant prohibition.

Black-and-white signs are regulatory and state the law. They mark where the regulation goes into effect.

For example, accelerating when you first see this regulatory sign violates the law.

Wait until you have passed the sign to accelerate.

Violating any regulatory or prohibition sign can get you into serious trouble.

Yellow signs provide warnings. They alert you to curves, crossings, speed limit changes, slippery roads, and other conditions where a little warning goes a long way.

Yellow signs may also appear before regulatory or prohibition signs warning you of a change in the law or a need to take action. Look for triangles or diamonds to anticipate what is ahead.

Green signs tell you the distance or direction to cities, alternate routes, or other destination information.

In the US, distances are shown in miles. In Canada and Mexico, however, distances and speed limits are measured in kilometers. If you are not familiar with metric conversion, some standard equivalents are:

• 100 miles = 160 kilometers.
• 55 MPH is equal to 88 km/h.
• 65 MPH is equal to 104 km/h.

Blue signs provide service-related information, such as where to find food, lodging, or gas.

Brown signs tell you about a recreational facility, such as a park campground, fishing site, or boat launch.

Curves

Slowing down to the advised speed before entering a curve ensures that you will navigate the curve smoothly and safely. A 90-degree arrow means that the upcoming turn is sharp. The safe speed through such a curve is 30 MPH or less.

A curved arrow indicates a more shallow turn; however, you still may need to reduce your speed depending on weather conditions. Follow the series of arrow signs (called chevrons) to stay on the road. Chevron alignment signs guide you through curves where the curve may be obscured.

Regulatory Signs

Yield signs, at entrance or exit ramps, tell you to adjust your speed and look for a safe merging opportunity. Traffic on the highway, as well as exiting vehicles, have the right-of-way. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid stopping on the ramp.

Restricted access "High Occupancy Vehicle" lanes are marked with black-and-white regulatory signs containing a white diamond, as shown below. There will usually be white diamonds painted on the roadway as well.

This sign indicates a restricted lane for specially designated "High Occupancy Vehicles" (HOV). Only vehicles with the required number of occupants may travel in HOV lanes. Signs will indicate the minimum number of occupants as well as the times the restrictions are in effect.

• In Virginia, the HOV requirement is to have either two or three persons in the vehicle, depending on what the sign says.

Do not enter a restricted-access lane unless you qualify to be there. If you need to make a turn across such a lane in city traffic, enter at the last possible moment, a half-block or less from the turn.

Shared turning lanes, or left-turn only lanes, allow you to make turns without holding up traffic behind you. Enter these lanes as close to your intended turn as possible. Never use a shared turning lane as a through lane.

Pay particular attention to signs and signals for reversible lanes. They tell you the correct direction of traffic and the time of day the direction changes. However, stay alert -- do not assume that the opposing drivers are paying attention.

See Orange? Slow Down!

At any time, Virginia Department of Transportation crews or their contractors are working on more than 500 highway construction and maintenance projects across the Commonwealth.

Each year, hundreds of motorists are injured or killed in Virginia highway work zone accidents. Don't become another statistic. When you drive on Virginia's highways, look for the color orange, which marks highway improvement projects.

As you approach one of these work zones, proceed with caution and drive at the posted speed. Exceeding the speed limit in a Virginia highway work zone carries fines of up to $250.

Orange signs, cones and barrels mark highway construction and maintenance work areas. While this highway work might cause you a few inconveniences and even delays at times, it is vital for improving the Commonwealth's highway network and to help you get to where you need to go.

The Virginia Department of Transportation wants you to know what to expect. When you approach one of these work areas, be extra cautious and follow the instructions of all warning signs. Keep an eye out for highway workers, and "Give 'em a Brake!"

Why This Is So Important?

In 1998, 772 people were killed in work zones.

1998	TOTAL	Vehicle Occupation	Pedestrians	Pedal- cyclists	Other Non- motorists
KILLED	722	658	101	10	3

Source: National Safety Council tabulations of data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1998 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and 1998 General Estimates Systems (GES).

In 1997 there were 658 people killed and 36,457 people injured in work zone crashes (see table below). Compared to 1996, work zone fatalities and injuries decreased 8.5 percent and 2.6 percent respectively. Of the 658 people killed in work zones, 516 were in construction zones, 79 were in maintenance zones, 11 were in utility zones, and 52 were in an unknown type of zone.

1997	TOTAL	Vehicle Occupation	Pedestrians	Pedal- cyclists	Other Non- motorists
KILLED	658	567	78	11	2
INJURED	36,457	35,424	818	169	46

Source: National Safety Council tabulations of data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1997 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and 1997 General Estimates Systems (GES).

The Work Zone Team

Virginia NASCAR driver Jeff Burton has joined the Virginia Department of Transportation’s safety effort to get drivers to slow down in highway work zones on behalf of VDOT’s work zone safety "Give ‘em a Brake" campaign. Burton compares the approach he takes on the race track where he anticipates what will happen to the approach drivers should adopt when entering a work zone.

"On the track I’m constantly watching the other cars, listening to my pit crew and anticipating what could happen next," says Burton. "On the interstate, I do the same thing. You can be sure when I see orange, I’m easing up on the gas and looking ahead. In a highway work zone, you’re the one in the driver’s seat," says Burton, appealing to the public. "So drive intelligently and give highway workers a brake."

More than 500 major construction and maintenance projects are ongoing across the Commonwealth, not including routine work such as mowing and guardrail repair. So with the possibility of a work zone every 50 miles, VDOT offers the following advice for safe driving:

• Expect anything – activity in work sites is unpredictable.
• Be aware of construction vehicles moving in and out of work zones.
• Drive at posted speed limits.
• Obey signs, channeling devices, and pavement markings.
• Allow more room for vehicles in front of you.
• Watch for flaggers, and follow their directions.
• Look for changes in work zone locations.
• Be more alert.
• Report any work zone problems - call VDOT’s Highway Helpline, 1-800-367-ROAD.

To help with road trip planning, VDOT’s website at www.vdot.state.va.us provides a current listing of major highway projects that might cause delays. Road conditions are updated daily with information about major traffic incidents and adverse weather. The section called Road Information and Conditions includes a map pinpointing locations of selected highway construction and maintenance work areas on major highway corridors in Virginia.

Unique Situations and Special Signs

Tunnels have specific traffic control signs such as minimum and maximum speeds, prohibited cargo, and the appropriate use of headlights and sunglasses.

Toll plazas are preceded by signs that indicate distance to the plaza, what the safe approach speed is, which lanes are for cars and which lanes are for trucks, and other useful information.

Finally, many railway grade crossings have signs that warn about an approaching train. If a railroad crossing does not have flashing lights and barricades, slow and check for a train before crossing the tracks. Remember, it is difficult to accurately judge the speed of an oncoming train and trains cannot effectively slow down for you.

For your own safety and the safety of others, it is important that you observe, understand, and follow all cautionary signs when approaching a tunnel, toll plaza, or railway crossing. These situations are well marked because there is very little room for error.

Non-Vehicular Signs

Most signs that do not relate to vehicles relate instead to pedestrians and bicyclists. Knowing about the regulatory signs they have to obey will help you avoid a life-threatening collision with them.

1. Walk/Don’t Walk signals tell pedestrians when it is permissible to cross. You must still yield to a pedestrian who is "jay-walking" or crossing against the light or in the middle of the block.
2. If you are turning into their path, you must yield to all pedestrians.
3. Pedestrian crosswalks do not have to be marked.
4. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections.

Stop at the vehicle stop line painted on the roadway to stay out of the way of pedestrians and other traffic turning into your street. Be prepared to stop for any pedestrian entering a crosswalk.

In addition, learn to expect - and stop for - pedestrians who are not in crosswalks. It could easily save a life. A warning sign is often placed ahead of the crosswalk, so you have adequate warning before the crossing zone. Another warning sign is placed at the crosswalk itself. The lines on the side indicate the location of the crosswalk markings. Whether you are in a residential neighborhood or a busy intersection, be alert for inattentive pedestrians.

Children are less predictable than adults. School zone signs tell you when to reduce your speed and when it is safe to increase it again. Wait until you pass the END SCHOOL ZONE or SPEED LIMIT sign and then resume your speed. Accelerating before you pass these signs is a violation and puts children and other pedestrians at risk.

Finally, animal crossing signs tell you to slow down and look out. Animals behave unpredictably -- for example, deer freeze when they see headlights. So, be extra cautious when you see an animal crossing sign. Especially at dawn or dusk when wild animals are more likely to be present.

Traffic Signals

Some of the most important information you see on the road is the flashiest. Traffic signals control the flow of traffic at intersections. In many states, including Virginia, you may turn right at a red traffic signal after you have come to a complete stop, unless prohibited by a sign. When you turn right on red, watch out for pedestrians and oncoming traffic -- they have the right-of-way. If a traffic signal turns yellow as you are approaching an intersection, stop before entering the intersection, if you can do so safely without causing a rear-end collision. If you are already in the intersection when the light turns yellow, keep going -- it is not safe to accelerate before the signal turns from yellow to red. Other traffic may not see you in time to avoid a collision.

Flashing Signal Lights

A flashing yellow light means that you should slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution. Keep in mind that cross-traffic may not stop even though they are supposed to.

Regard a flashing red light as a STOP sign. Stop at the intersection and wait until there is an adequate break in traffic before entering the intersection.

If the light is flashing red on all sides, treat it as an all-way stop sign.

When two vehicles approach an intersection not controlled by traffic lights or signs or when two vehicles approach an intersection controlled by four stop signs, neither vehicle has the right-of-way. Virginia law states that when two or more vehicles approach an intersection from different directions at the same time, the driver on the LEFT must yield to the driver on the right. The law does not give the right-of-way to anyone. It only states which driver must yield to another. If possible, maintain eye contact with the other driver, particularly when proceeding through the intersection.

If the intersection has no signs, or the traffic control signal is not working, treat it as an all-way stop.

Some traffic signals tell you when you may proceed in a specific direction. For example, if there is a red arrow or red light signal controlling your lane you must stop, even though traffic traveling in the next lane has the green signal. A green arrow signal indicates that you may go, but opposing traffic may not cross your path. If the arrow goes off and no red arrow or signal appears, you may still turn left, but you must now yield to opposing traffic. Look for a safe opening to make your turn. Make sure that the light is still green when you move into the intersection. If the light turns yellow while you are already in the intersection, you are allowed to finish making your turn. Finally, if a police officer or crossing guard is present, their directions overrule any traffic signal.

These general guidelines to traffic signals are always subject to local laws.

Route Signs

It is always nice to know where you are going. If you understand how routes are numbered and marked, you will always be in the right lane at the right time.

Route signs mark federal interstates and other roadways, state highways or county and municipal roadways. The interstate system uses a shield symbol that is blue on the bottom with a red band across the top, like this:

The primary route number is either a single or double digit number.

• North-South routes have odd numbers
• East-West routes have even numbers

Spurs and loops extend from a primary interstate:

A spur is a short route that extends to the primary route at only one end. It has a three-digit number that begins with an odd number. A loop is a route that meets the primary route at both ends. Its three-digit route number begins with an even number. Loops usually bypass cities or congested areas.

US routes that are not part of the US interstate system have signs like this:

The numbering system, however, is similar:

• North-South routes have odd numbers
• East-West routes have even numbers

State, county and municipal roadways use numbering systems similar to federal routes, however, the shape and color of route signs vary among states, counties, and municipalities.

On limited-access highways and some other roadways, exit signs are placed before the exit. On rural roads, these are at least one mile ahead. These signs give you plenty of warning so you know what is ahead.

Route signs are also placed just after the entrance to a roadway. They help you orient yourself and provide confirmation that you are on the right road. Mile post markers tell you your position on the route. They are located every mile among many major routes.

Mile markers indicate the beginning of the route starting from the south or west state line or from the junction from which the route begins. Use these mile markers if you need to call for help. Many police and emergency services monitor channel nine on the citizen’s band frequency and special cellular phone numbers.

Understanding the signs, signals, and markings that you see as you drive will help make your trip safer and easier. In addition, remember to stay alert, pay attention, watch out for the other person, and always wear your safety belts.