How well do you know your signs? I'm not talking astrology here. I mean if you were driving in Europe and you saw the sign above would you know what it means?
I didn't, not at first anyhow. In fact even now I encounter traffic signs that make zero sense to me, leaving me puzzled as to whether they even are traffic signs. Why? Because I had only ever driven in North America and the ones I was encountering in France, Italy, Finland etc. in later years were nothing I'd seen before.
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Confused? You're not alone.
Keep reading to learn even more about this sometimes bewildering topic.
Generic differences in the usage of sign shape and color in North America and Europe
1. Design and Colors:
North America: In the United States and Canada, road signs predominantly use bright and bold colors, such as red, yellow, and green. Shapes are standardized, with octagons for stop signs, rectangles for regulatory signs, and diamonds for warning signs.
Europe: European road signs are known for their circular shapes, using a combination of blue, white, and red colors. The design is more minimalist, with a focus on conveying information efficiently.
2. Regulatory Signs:
North America: Stop signs are iconic with their octagonal shape and red color. Yield signs are often equilateral triangles, and speed limits are typically posted on rectangular signs.
Europe: Stop signs are rare; instead, you'll encounter give-way signs with a downward-pointing triangle. Speed limits are displayed on circular signs, and other regulatory signs often use round or rectangular shapes.
3. Warning Signs:
North America: Warning signs in North America feature a distinctive diamond shape. Yellow is the primary color, and symbols range from deer crossings to curves ahead.
Europe: European warning signs are typically circular with a yellow background. Icons may vary, but the consistent shape helps drivers quickly identify potential hazards like sharp turns or animal crossings.
4. Directional Signs:
North America: Green is the color of choice for directional signs in North America. Interstate highway signs use a distinctive shield shape, and exit signs are typically white text on a green background.
Europe: European directional signs are blue and often display the names of cities and distances. The shape is usually rectangular, providing a clear distinction from regulatory and warning signs.
5. Pedestrian Crossings:
North America: Crosswalks are marked with white stripes, and pedestrian crossing signs are rectangular with a pedestrian symbol.
Europe: Pedestrian crossings in Europe are marked by zebra-like black and white stripes. Circular blue signs with a white pedestrian symbol indicate these crossings in advance. Don't be confused though by the pedestrian symbol on a white field with a red circle outside that is seen in several European countries. It doesn't mean watch out for pedestrians, it actually means no pedestrians. We're just used to seeing it with a red bar across it.
Specific Examples of Differences.
A great many of the traffic signs are the same on both sides of the Atlantic. Signs such as no U-Turn, Falling Rocks, Deer Crossing, Slippery Roads and the like are pretty much the same with perhaps some variation in color and design. There are a handful of signs though that are distinctly different and they are common enough that you should know them. Here's a look at the main ones:
No Parking
This one is everywhere and it is one you should know. It make sense that it does not have a "P" crossed out since that is based off of English. This is a sign that is language independent.
No Stopping
Another one that is very common. North Americans typically will see the written version of the sign but there are some graphic styles as well. For those that are wondering, No Standing means you are allowed to quickly stop to unload a passenger but the driver must not exit the vehicle. No Stopping means that stopping is only allowed to obey a traffic sign, signal, or officer, or to prevent conflicts with other vehicles.
Fog Ahead
Maybe not as common but the European version is pretty interesting and makes me think the car is disintegrating. Our version is pretty much spelled out for the driver.
Railroad Crossing
There are several different versions of these in both North America and Europe and they are fairly similar in most cases. The exception is the one on the right below for Europe. It denotes that the railroad crossing has a barrier that lowers to prevent traffic and not that you are entering a 1950's neighborhood full of picket fences.
Yield to Oncoming Traffic
Also known in Europe as Oncoming Traffic has Priority. again, we go towards a text version while Europe uses a graphic. Just know that the red arrow does NOT indicate priority and that it is actually the opposite. The traffic going in the direction of the red arrow must yield. I don't know that we have a sign that tells us that we have priority over oncoming traffic as I've only ever seen the sign indicating that oncoming must yield but there is a sign for it in Europe, shown below on the right.
Stop Ahead
This one is pretty easy to understand as it will have writing on it indicating a stop is ahead and in how many meters. The main difference is just that the sign shape might make North Americans think of a yield sign. In fact, without the addition of the word STOP on the European sign, it does indeed mean that there is a yield ahead which is shown on the sign to the right. Make sure you note the difference as you approach the sign.
Some Signs You Might Not Have Seen Before
Here are a handful of some of the other signs you may come across that might not have a North American equivalent. Some make sense, others maybe not so much but it's good to know what they mean.
Start of expressway or motorway, and end of expressway or motorway respectively. I honestly couldn't tell you what the difference is between the two and the categorization of each likely comes down to each country's interpretation but suffice it to say that both are a faster roadway that is divided by either green space or a barrier.
The pair of signs above effectively inform you that you are either entering (no red bar) or leaving (with red bar) an area that is built up (on the left which is effectively an urban area) or a residential area (on the right). Both of these are alerting you to the fact that the speed limit is going to change in short order.
Another one that may not be intuitive is this pair. In North America we will inform drivers that there is a minimum speed limit for a road by stating "Minimum" on the sign. In Europe a speed limit minimum is indicated by its presence of the limit in white on a blue background as opposed to the black on white with red border for a maximum (both of which are circular). The sign on the right just indicates that the minimum limit zone is ending.
This last one is seen in various formats. You might see it with a speed limit behind the lines (end of limit zone), or two cars side by side (end of no passing zone), or a horn (end of no honking zone), etc. but ultimately it means the end of something previously signed.
The sign above? It effectively says this is the end of all previously signed restrictions. And it is a fitting one to close with as this is also the end of this blog.
Hope this gives you a leg up when you find yourself behind the wheel overseas. Drive safe and as always...
Happy Travels!
Il Digestivo
Want to read about one of the worlds most beautiful and daunting drives? Check out the blog on the Amalfi coast in Italy, and don't forget to stop by our products page to see some of the items we have come to love on our journeys. One of which is an essential for plane travel, the neck pillow! The BCOZZY is a must for any long haul flight as it is a wraparound style that supports your head in several positions. I'd tried to find one in several airports but only ever found the crappy styrofoam bead style or the ultra stiff memory foam. Ultimately I got it where everyone else does...Amazon.
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