Warning signs: part 1

Warning signs: part 1: how to read them

This chapter teaches 9 signs from the official manual: End of dual roadway, Beginning of dual roadway, Traffic circle, Hairpin bend, Winding road, Combined curves, Lane ends, Traffic control ahead, Scholar patrol ahead.

Read the wording and symbol on each sign carefully. They tell you who the sign applies to, where it applies and what you must do, and two signs that look alike can apply to different road users.

Key idea: Check who a sign applies to before deciding what it means for you.

End of dual roadway — W116

How to read it. This warns that a one-way dual roadway is ending soon. Approaching vehicles will use the same carriageway as you.

Where you meet it. On any dual roadway.

What to do. Position your vehicle where it will not endanger approaching traffic. It may be necessary to change lanes.

In practice. You drive on a dual roadway and see this sign. You get into a safe position in good time because oncoming vehicles will soon share your carriageway.

Easily confused. Do not confuse it with the beginning of dual roadway sign, which warns that a single carriageway ends.

Key idea: Dual roadway ends: oncoming traffic will share your road.

Beginning of dual roadway — W118

How to read it. This warns that a single carriageway is ending and you will soon enter a one-way road, which is a dual roadway.

Where you meet it. On any single-carriageway road.

What to do. Remember you can overtake more safely after entering the one-way road. The sign does not indicate a freeway and intersections can still be found on such a road.

In practice. You travel on a single carriageway and see this sign. You plan to overtake once you are on the dual roadway but still watch for intersections.

Easily confused. Do not assume it marks a freeway, because the official text says intersections can still be found on such a road.

Key idea: Dual roadway is not a freeway.

Traffic circle — W201

How to read it. This warns of a traffic circle ahead where you may need to yield to other traffic.

Where you meet it. On any public road.

What to do. Slow down so you can stop or drive round at a safe speed. Look for signs and markings that say who has right of way. If nothing indicates it, give way to traffic approaching from the right; vehicles in the circle have right of way. Where sign R2.2 is displayed, yield to any driver who crosses their yield line before you cross yours.

In practice. You approach a traffic circle and slow down. No sign shows priority, so you give way to traffic from the right.

Key idea: Circle ahead: slow down, yield to the right.

Hairpin bend — W206

How to read it. This warns of a very sharp, U-shaped curve ahead, to the left or right.

Where you meet it. On any public road, especially in mountainous areas.

What to do. Slow down so you can take the curve safely or stop within the distance you can see.

In practice. On a mountain road you see this sign. You slow down early and take the curve at a speed that lets you stop in the distance you can see.

Key idea: Hairpin ahead: slow down before the curve.

Winding road — W208

How to read it. This warns of a series of curves ahead. W209 means the first curve is to the left and W208 means the first bend is to the right.

Where you meet it. On any public road, especially in mountainous areas.

What to do. Slow down enough to take the curves safely or stop within the distance you can see. Remember there could be any number of curves after the first one without further warning.

In practice. You drive on a mountain road and see this sign. You slow down and stay careful after the first curve, as more may follow without another sign.

Key idea: Winding road: more curves may follow unsigned.

Combined curves — W210

How to read it. This warns of two sharp curves ahead in opposite directions. W210 means the first curve is to the right and W211 means it is to the left.

Where you meet it. On any public road, especially in mountainous areas.

What to do. Slow down enough to round the curves safely or stop within the sight distance you can see.

In practice. On a mountain pass you see this sign. You slow down early so you can take both curves safely.

Key idea: Two opposite curves: slow down for both.

Lane ends — W214

How to read it. This warns that your double-lane road narrows by a full lane. W215 means the lane ends from the left and W214 means it ends from the right.

Where you meet it. On any road with more than one traffic lane in your direction.

What to do. Change in good time to the lane that carries on, depending on which sign is displayed.

In practice. You drive in a lane that ends according to the sign. You check your mirrors and move into the lane that continues in good time.

Key idea: Lane ends: move over in good time.

Traffic control ahead — TW304

How to read it. This warns that a traffic officer ahead is controlling traffic.

Where you meet it. On any road, but especially in rural areas near schools.

What to do. Slow down and be ready to stop the vehicle if the officer instructs you to do so.

In practice. On a rural road near a school you see this sign. You slow down and prepare to stop if the officer signals you.

Key idea: Officer ahead: slow down, be ready to stop.

Scholar patrol ahead — TW305

How to read it. This warns that a scholar patrol is operating ahead.

Where you meet it. On any road near schools.

What to do. Slow down and look out for a stop sign displayed by the scholar patrol. Watch at all times for children who may suddenly cross the road.

In practice. You approach a school and see this sign. You slow down and prepare to stop if the patrol shows a stop sign.

Key idea: Scholar patrol: slow down, children may cross.

Quick recap

• End of dual roadway (W116): Dual roadway ends: oncoming traffic will share your road.
• Beginning of dual roadway (W118): Dual roadway is not a freeway.
• Traffic circle (W201): Circle ahead: slow down, yield to the right.
• Hairpin bend (W206): Hairpin ahead: slow down before the curve.
• Winding road (W208): Winding road: more curves may follow unsigned.
• Combined curves (W210): Two opposite curves: slow down for both.
• Lane ends (W214): Lane ends: move over in good time.
• Traffic control ahead (TW304): Officer ahead: slow down, be ready to stop.
• Scholar patrol ahead (TW305): Scholar patrol: slow down, children may cross.