Do you also want to know what rules and signs are there for driving on any road or highway in India? You can learn very easily through this article.
Meaning of Indian Road Signs: For a long time, resources have been used to travel from one place to another in India, and for this reason, the Indian government has made some rules for driving on the roads of any state in India.
You must have also noticed that there are many signboards on the road, so what is the meaning of these signboards after all?
The Most Important Road Signs of India
All the rules and signs made for driving on the roads in our country fall into these three categories.
- Mandatory Signs
- Cautionary Signs
- Informational Signs
Let’s now delve into these three signs and the rules made for them in detail.
Mandatory/Compulsory Signs
These are the signs that must be obeyed. If you do not follow the rules of this sign, you may have to pay a penalty. It’s possible that the police may issue you a fine or an accident may occur.
Mandatory signs are always found in a red-colored circle. However, some mandatory signs may appear in other shapes as well.
Cautionary/Warning Signs
These are the signs that indicate potential hazards on the upcoming roads. Not adhering to these cautionary signs could lead to accidents. For instance, signs like ‘Narrow Road Ahead’ or ‘Two-way Road Starts Ahead’ are crucial warnings that must be heeded, or else you might encounter trouble.
Cautionary signs are also always displayed in red color, but they feature a triangular shape. Within this triangular shape, clear illustrations provide you with the necessary warnings.
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Informational Signs
These are the signs that provide you with some form of information, whether it may be necessary for you or not. Violating this sign doesn’t result in a fine, but it could lead you to take the wrong path.
Informational signs are mostly seen in green color, where distances and directions to a city or place are provided, or other information is given.
Information about the Rules of all Special Signs and Symbols
A circle with a slash Sign
The circular sign with a slash indicates prohibited activities, meaning no entry or access is allowed. Therefore, where such a circular sign with a slash is displayed, it is mandatory to obey it because it is, in a way, giving you an order. According to Indian law, it is your responsibility to adhere to the message conveyed by the symbol in this circle.
A Circle without Slash Sign
The circular sign without a slash provides essential information. If you violate this indication, you and other citizens may face issues, and legal action may be taken against you.
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What Means Triangle Sign
The triangular sign indicates an upcoming hazard or dangerous area on your route. These signs are always seen as red and white signboards, with the indication provided in black color.
What Means Blue Circle Symbol
Most circular signs are seen in red and white colors, but when you see a blue circular sign, it indicates a compulsory action for you, which you must follow.
Meaning of Chevron Sign
The Chevron sign is always seen with a yellow background and a black image. This sign indicates a curve in the road and is also very visible at night.
If the curve is normal, a single chevron sign is used, but if it’s sharp or very sharp, double or triple chevron image signs are used.
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Meaning of Hazard Road Sign
The hazard sign informs all drivers that there is a significant danger near the road, such as a tree, bridge, railing, or any other object that poses a risk.
If Number 1 is displayed, the hazard will be on the left side, and if Number 2 is shown, the hazard will be on the right side. If Number 3 is displayed, the hazard can be on both sides. Proceed with caution and drive slowly.
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What are the road safety signs?
Although all road signs are for safety, some signs are particularly dangerous, and it is imperative to adhere to them; otherwise, you may be at risk.
Such as – both mandatory signs and cautionary signs depict all signs related to road safety messages, so here are the names of some signs.
Ex. Stop, No Entry, One-way Traffic, Height Limit, Load Limit, Axle Load Limit, Left & Right Turn, Speed Limit, Curve Sign, Road Narrows, etc.
Meaning of Speed Limit Signs
Whenever we drive on any road, various factors such as road capacity, brake control capacity, traffic, animal crossings, curves, one-way lanes, etc., are considered. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways install speed limit signboards for all types of vehicles on the road based on these factors. This helps drivers control their vehicle speed by observing the signboard and prevents unnecessary accidents.
What does the One Way Sign mean?
The One Way sign indicates that vehicles can only travel in one direction on this road, making it very easy to understand. This sign is typically in a red circular shape with a slash, cutting through one arrow, indicating that only one-way traffic will flow on this road. If you see the number one (1) on the sign, it means vehicles can only enter, and if you see the number two (2), it means vehicles can only exit.
No Entry Road Sign
In India, the red circular sign with a slash is used for No Entry, accompanied by a black symbol indicating what is not allowed entry. This makes it easy for drivers to understand.
Road Work Ahead Sign
When a road is under construction in India, certain signs are placed to indicate ongoing road work. These signs help drivers understand that road construction is underway ahead.
Railway Road Crossing Sign
The railway crossing and road sign are quite distinctive. You’ll see signs like these indicating a railway crossing and some crossings also have black and yellow gates that close when a train is approaching.
What is Highway Road Indicat
You can identify any highway by these signs. If you see the NH (National Highway) symbol or the number 1, it indicates a National Highway, and if you see the SH (State Highway) symbol or the number 2, it indicates a State Highway.
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Meaning of Pedestrian Road Signs
When pedestrian pathways are designated on a road, you will see this type of sign.
Pedestrian Crossing Sign
When you see this type of sign, you should immediately understand that it is designed for pedestrians to cross the road.
No Pedestrian Sign
If you are walking on any road, you need to pay special attention to whether you are not walking on a road marked as ‘No Pedestrian Entry.’ For this, you need to look for this sign.
Give Way Sign Meaning
The ‘Give Way’ sign means that the vehicles coming from the opposite direction have the right of way, or in other words, the vehicles on this side must yield to the vehicles on the other side.
No Standing Sing
At the location where you see this sign on the road, you should not stand.
No Stopping Road Sign
When you see the ‘No Stopping Road Sign’ on a road, you cannot stop your vehicle or stand there.
Meaning of Stop Road Sign
If you see this sign on the road for any reason, you must stop there. The Stop sign always indicates the message to stop.
Road Lane Closed Sign
When you are driving on the road, you may see white lines. If you see this type of line, you should be cautious and reduce your speed because the line you are following will eventually come to an end.
Road Name Signs
The white symbols written on green signboards can be understood as the name of the road or route.
Meaning of No Parking Anytime
When you see this sign, understand that it means ‘No Parking Anytime.’ This sign indicates that parking is prohibited at all times.
No Parking Road Sign
Although you can park your vehicle on the side of the road according to your convenience, when you see this sign, you cannot park your vehicle there because it is a No Parking zone.
The meaning of the Left Turn Sign
The meaning of the ‘Compulsory Left Turn Sign’ is that you should now turn left from here, as indicated by this sign.
Meaning of ‘No Left Turn Sign’
If you see this sign while driving on the road, understand that turning left or entering from the left side is prohibited. You may also receive a fine for violating this rule.
No Bike Sign Means
When you see a ‘No Bike Sign,’ it means that you are not allowed to ride a bike on that road.
Meaning of Slippery Road Sign
The sign of a slippery road is something like this.
The Road Narrows Sign
When the road narrows ahead, you will see a sign before it.
Weight Limit Signs
You will see a signboard indicating the weight capacity before it. The signboard displays the weight limit. Whenever a bridge or a small bridge is about to come.
Meaning of Animals Crossing Sign
In India, there are still some places where animals roam freely on the roads during the day. Therefore, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways install animal crossing signs at such locations to alert drivers. Recognizing these signs, you can proceed with caution and reduce your vehicle’s speed.
Curve Ahead Road Sign
Whenever there is a curve ahead on the road, Curve Ahead signs are installed at such locations.
Heavy Vehicle Sign
A similar type of signboard is also installed for heavy vehicles, which helps you understand whether heavy vehicles are allowed to pass through or not.
No Heavy Vehicles Sign
When heavy vehicles are not allowed on a road, signboards with ‘No Heavy Vehicles’ are installed at such locations on the roads.
Truck Route Sign
The road where trucks or any external vehicles can go is indicated by such a sign.
That means a Two-way Street Sign
Roads where there is no divider between the incoming and outgoing traffic, meaning there is a single wide road for both incoming and outgoing traffic, are called two-way roads.
Road Humps Sign
On highways or any roads where vehicles travel at high speeds, road humps signs are installed to alert drivers to slow down and control their speed.
No Overtaking Sign
When you see this sign, you should understand that overtaking is not allowed at this location.
Public Footpath
On roads where pedestrians can walk alongside, a signboard indicating ‘Public Footpath’ is placed. This sign looks like this.
Meaning of Rough Road Sign
When a road becomes rough due to some reason, a ‘Rough Road Sign’ board is placed until the road is properly repaired. This is how the sign looks.
Blind Curve Sign
When there is a very sharp curve or the road ahead in the curve is not clearly visible, you will see a ‘Blind Curve Sign’ board, which looks like this.
Red Triangle Road Sign
When you see a red triangular road sign, be cautious immediately because this ‘Red Triangle Road Sign’ always indicates danger, meaning if caution is ignored, an accident might occur.
Danger Road Sign
For dangerous roads, there are always red triangular signs, and within them, a black image depicts the danger ahead.
What does a hospital sign look like on the road?
Whenever you see such a signboard near the road, it indicates the presence of a hospital nearby.
Funny Road Sign
In some countries, you can find funny road signs according to the personalities of the people in those places.
No Cycling Road Sign
When you come across such a signboard, it means that bicycles are not allowed on this road.
No Through Road Sign
Wherever you see a ‘No Through Road’ sign on a road, it means that the road ahead is closed and there is no way through.
Road Diversion Signs
When we travel on a highway, we are provided with signs indicating the route to upcoming cities, villages, etc. These signs give us prior information about road changes through signboards. These signs look something like this:
Road Safety Signs and Symbols
When you see such signs near the road, they convey a message about your safety, so be sure to follow these signs.
No U-turn Road Sign
When you see a signboard like this, it means you cannot take a U-turn at this cross.
Keep to the Right Sign
This sign is used in some places in India to warn of danger on the left side of the road, indicating that you must proceed only to the right side.
Lane Shift Sign
When you’re driving on the road and suddenly see this lane shift sign, you can safely change your lane.
Black and Yellow Striped Road Sign
The signs with black and yellow stripes give two warnings: first, caution is advised when driving on this side as it is very dangerous, and second, it indicates that the road ahead is closed, and you must either turn left or right.
Hand signal left turn
Even while driving on the road, signals are conveyed through hand gestures. Therefore, the ‘hand signal left turn’ indicates that you should turn left.
Cycle Crossing Sign
Some roads have designated bicycle crossings as well. Bicycle crossing signs look like this.
How are road signs in areas prone to rockfall?
There are some places in India where there are rocks, and roads have been constructed by cutting through these rocks. However, sometimes some stones fall on the road. Therefore, to caution everyone walking/driving on the road, signboards with such signs are installed on the sides of the road.
Ice Road Sign in India
In some states of India where there is snowfall, you will see some road signs like these when snow falls on the roads of these states.
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