There is a very real reason why every state has a DOT (Department of Transportation) that oversees the use and distribution of road signs along roadways and major highways. The ultimate purpose is always vehicular safety, especially where pedestrians are, and within that group, children.
With that said, literally every road sign is just as important as any other because they are all there with one purpose in mind, and really, one purpose only. That would be safety. However, some bear special mentioning because they are also relevant in other areas of life, such as in a work or public environment. Let’s take a brief look at a few of those now.
1. Yield Sign
As any driver can tell you, a yield sign means that you don’t have the right of way. These are generally posted in low-traffic areas where stop signs or traffic signals are probably unnecessary. They are almost always in areas where there is a Y in the road, giving one side or the other the right of way.
However, you can also find a yield sign within a business environment as well. Typically, you might find them in warehouses where loading forks are driven. A yield sign might be placed at a location where foot traffic might be a danger or where other vehicles might be operating as well. The same ‘rules of the road’ are to be observed and the sign will indicate which party needs to yield.
2. Stop Sign
Stop signs in the United States, and probably elsewhere around the world, are rather odd commodities because they are not always posted at four-way stops. Sometimes only one road forming the leg of a T intersection has a stop sign and other times the smaller intersecting roads have one in both directions with the larger, more traveled road having none. Then, there are intersections where vehicles in all four directions must come to a complete stop before proceeding and only on the honor system. Drivers are supposed to let the vehicle that stopped first get to go first when it’s their turn.
You can see stop signs in places of business as well for a number of reasons, but they are almost always for matters of public safety. Perhaps there’s a major spill ahead or workers on scaffolding where tools and debris might be falling. These signs will be used to redirect ‘traffic’ away from dangerous areas.
3. Caution Signs
Caution signs can be permanently fixed or free-standing temporary signs. They will have a short reason for slowing down and using caution such as standing water or ice on a road ahead. Sometimes caution signs are there for potential rockslides and other times they are there to warn of frequent school bus stops along the road ahead.
You can find free-standing caution signs in public buildings as well and as regulated by OSHA. How many times have you encountered a “Caution Wet Floor” yellow sign in a grocery store or other building open to the public? They are even posted in places of business to warn employees to use caution when entering an area.
All traffic signs are important because they are there for purposes of safety. Always keep that in mind because the life you save could be your own!
