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Comparison of traffic signs in English-speaking territories

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This is a comparison of road signs in countries and regions that speak majorly English, including major ones where it is an official language and widely understood (and as a lingua franca).

Among the countries listed below, Liberia, Nigeria, and the Philippines have ratified the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, while the United Kingdom has signed the convention but not yet ratified it.[1] Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are all Southern African Development Community (SADC) members who drive on the left and use the SADC Road Traffic Signs Manual. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) used in the United States has also influenced signing practices in other countries.

Differences between traffic signs in English-speaking countries/regions

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Differences in units

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Most speed limits in the US use USC, with the highway signs matching the MUTCD.
Imperial measurements reminder in Northern Ireland when entering from the Republic
Road sign used in British Columbia, Canada, near the Canada–US border to remind American drivers that Canada uses the metric system.
  • All main countries/regions, except for the United States and the United Kingdom, use the metric system. Some mark this fact by using units on various signs. Note that some smaller English-speaking countries in the Caribbean also use miles per hour.
    • Ireland, parts of Canada (British Columbia, parts of Ontario, and Yukon), and Liberia[12] list units (km/h) on their maximum speed limit signs. In Canada and Ireland, this is a reflection of (somewhat) recent transitions from Imperial to metric.
    • Advisory speed limit signs in most countries list units, although New Zealand does not. The US lists units in mph.
    • Height, weight, and width restrictions are almost always accompanied by units (tonnes or metres); in the US, the short ton is used with no distinction from metric tonnes.
    • Signs in some parts of Canada near the US border often include both metric and Imperial units, to remind American drivers that they are entering metric countries. No such equivalent exists in the US.[13]
  • The US was, at one time, planning a transition to the metric system. The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 started the process, but the abolition of the United States Metric Board in 1982 significantly hampered conversion. Nevertheless, the MUTCD specifies metric versions of speed limit signs. Furthermore, Interstate 19 in Arizona is partially signed in metric.

Color differences

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Warning signs

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Sheep road sign in the United Kingdom.
Countries in yellow use MUTCD-style diamond warning signs. Click for large image and detailed info key.
  • Most warning signs are diamond-shaped and yellow or red-bordered triangular warning signs; some warning signs may be fluorescent yellow-green in order to draw extra attention. There are a few exceptions to this:
    • Pentagonal signs are used in school zones in the United States, Liberia, and many areas in Canada. In the Philippines, pentagonal signs are permanently used for pedestrian crossings.
  • Warning signs may be text-only.

Road works and construction

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  • Most countries use orange or yellow diamond-shaped signs or yellow, orange or white red-bordered triangular warning signs for construction zones. Australia and the Philippines use rectangular signs that fit into temporary casings.

Regulatory signs

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  • Prohibitory and restrictive signs are classified as regulatory signs.
  • Almost all prohibitory signs use a red circle with a slash. Restrictive signs typically use a red circle, as in Europe. Some may be seated on a rectangular white background.
    • The original MUTCD prohibitory and restrictive signs were text-only (i.e. NO LEFT TURN).[14] Some of these signs continue to be used in the US.
  • Yield signs can be blank or have text with the legend "YIELD" or "GIVE WAY" depending on which country it is.
  • The No Entry / Do Not Enter sign may or may not feature text. In Ireland, an upwards-pointing arrow contained within a slashed red circle is used instead. Some countries have those two signs separated.
    • The Latin American-style do not proceed straight sign may take a different meaning in countries with standard No Entry signs. Typically, it indicates an intersection where traffic cannot continue straight ahead, but where cross-traffic may enter the street from the right (or left). Thus, it is distinguished from a No Entry (for all vehicles) sign.

Mandatory or permitted-action signs

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Various color schemes for mandatory signs. Click for large image and detailed info key.
  • The design of mandatory signs varies widely, since the MUTCD does not specify their use.[15] Rather, the MUTCD's equivalent are classified as regulatory signs.
    • Some countries use simple arrows with the text "ONLY" or its equivalent underneath. This is the US and Australian standard.
    • Some countries use European-style white-on-blue circular signs. These are "Type A Mandatory Signs" as prescribed by the Vienna Convention.
    • Some Latin American and Caribbean countries use red-bordered circular signs, in the same style as regulatory signs. These are "Type B Mandatory Signs" as prescribed by the Vienna Convention. In cases relating to particular types of vehicle traffic (e.g. buses), these signs are identical to some European prohibitory signs.[a]
    • Canada uses a unique style of mandatory sign that features a green circle.

Table

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Warning

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  Australia
Australia 		Canada
Canada 		Hong Kong
Hong Kong 		Ireland
Republic of Ireland 		Jamaica
Jamaica 		Liberia
Liberia 		Mauritius
Mauritius 		New Zealand
New Zealand 		Nigeria
Nigeria 		Philippines
Philippines 		SADC[16]
Southern African Development Community 		Malta
Malta 		Singapore
Singapore 		Uganda
Uganda 		United Kingdom
United Kingdom 		United States
United States
Stop sign ahead



Yield / Give Way sign ahead



Traffic signals ahead
Roundabout ahead
Two-way traffic ahead
Uncontrolled railroad crossing ahead Not used Not used[b]
Level railroad crossing with barriers ahead
or
Tram / streetcar crossing Not used Not used[c]
Railroad crossbuck
or
 Not used Not used
or
or
Level crossing (multiple tracks)
or
Not used Not used
or
 Not used Not used
Crossroads ahead
or[d]

or[e]
Junction with a side road ahead
Traffic merges ahead
Staggered crossroads ahead
or[f]
Added lane Not used[g]
Divided highway ahead
Divided highway ends
Lane ends ahead
Road narrows ahead
or

[h]
Narrow bridge ahead Not used Not used
Dangerous crosswinds Not used Not used Not used
Low-flying aircraft
or
or
Steep hill downwards
or
and
Steep hill upwards
or
and
Uneven surface
Bump in road
or

[17]
Dip in road Not used Not used
Ford Not used
or
Snow / ice Not used
Fog Not used
Slippery road surface
Loose road surface
Dangerous shoulder Not used Not used
Pavement ends Not used Not used
Gentle curve ahead Not used
Sharp curve ahead
Double gentle curve ahead Not used Not used
Double sharp curve ahead

[i]
Series of curves ahead Not used
Hairpin curve ahead Not used Not used
[j]
Loop curve ahead Not used
Chevron (short turn) Not used
Chevron (sharp turn)
School zone
or[k]

or

[l]
[m]
Children / playground ahead

or
Pedestrian crossing ahead
or
Disabled / elderly pedestrian crossing
or
or
or
 Not used
or
Domesticated animals
or

or
or
Wild animals Not used
or

or

or
or

or
Cyclists crossing
Equestrians Not used Not used
Emergency vehicles Not used Not used Not used
Farm vehicles Not used Not used
or
Falling rocks or debris
or

[n]
Opening or swing bridge Not used Not used Not used
Quay or riverbank Not used
or
Tunnel ahead
Height restriction ahead

or

or
Width restriction ahead Not used Not used Not used
Length restriction ahead Not used
Weight restriction ahead Not used Not used Not used
Roadworks
[o] 		Not used
Flagman ahead Not used
Traffic congestion
Other danger

Regulatory

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Priority

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  Australia Canada Hong Kong Ireland Jamaica Liberia Mauritius New Zealand Nigeria Philippines SADC[16] Malta Singapore Uganda United Kingdom United States
Stop
Yield / Give Way
or
or
Yield to oncoming traffic
Not used Not used
Priority over oncoming traffic Not used Not used Not used
Priority road Not used Not used Not used
End of priority road Not used Not used Not used

Prohibitory signs

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  Australia Canada Hong Kong Ireland Jamaica Liberia Mauritius New Zealand Nigeria Philippines SADC[16] Malta Singapore Uganda United Kingdom United States
No entry
or[p]
or
[20]
or
Road closed
or
[q]
No motor vehicles Not used Not used
No motorcycles Not used
No mopeds Not used Not used
No bicycles
No pedestrians

or
No heavy goods vehicles

or
No buses Not used
No trailers Not used Not used
or
or
or
No farm vehicles Not used Not used
No animal-drawn vehicles Not used
No vehicles carrying dangerous goods Not used
No vehicles carrying explosives or inflammables Not used
No vehicles carrying water pollutants Not used Not used
No handcarts Not used
Maximum speed limit
or

[12]
Speed restriction ends Not used Not used Not used
Maximum height
Maximum width Not used Not used Not used
Maximum length
or
Maximum weight
Maximum weight per axle
No left turn
or[p]
or
or
 Not used
No right turn
or[p]
or
or
 Not used
No U-turn
or[p]

[21]
or
 Not used[r]
No overtaking
and
Minimum following distance between vehicles Not used Not used
No honking Not used Not used
No parking
No stopping

Mandatory or permitted actions

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Mandatory signs indicating an obligation to turn left do exist, but are not included in the list below since they are functionally mirror versions of signs indicating an obligation to turn right.

  Australia Canada Hong Kong Ireland Jamaica Liberia Mauritius New Zealand Nigeria Philippines SADC[16] Malta Singapore Uganda United Kingdom United States
Proceed
straight
(no turns)
Turn right Not used Not used
Turn right
ahead
Proceed
straight
or turn right 		Not used
Not used Not used Not used
Keep right
(or left)
or
Pass on
either side
or

[s]
Route for heavy goods vehicles and vehicles carrying dangerous goods Not used
Roundabout Not used
[t]
or

Minimum speed limit Not used
Not used Not used Not used
Seatbelts required Not used Not used Not used
Living street Not used
Overtaking
permitted
[u]
Not used Not used
Shared use path
or
or

or
or
 Not used
or
or

or
Bicycles only
Transit only Not used
Equestrians only Not used Not used

Other

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Australia Canada Hong Kong Ireland Jamaica Liberia Mauritius New Zealand Nigeria Philippines SADC[16] Malta Singapore Uganda United Kingdom United States
Speed
camera
or
One-way
street
or
Two-way traffic Not used Not used Not used
[o]
Pedestrian crossing

or
[22] or
[23]
Dead end
or
or
Parking zone

or
or

[v]
Taxi stand

or
Hospital

[w]
or
Bus lane
Bus stop

and
or
Train station

[w]
Airport

[w]
Electric vehicle charging station Not used
or

[v]
Freeway begins
or

or

or
Freeway ends
or

or

or
Customs
post
[x]
[y]
[w] 		Not used
National
highway
shield(s)
[z]









National
border
signs or
speed limits 		Not used
Not used Not used Not used Not used Not used - Not used varies

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Compare Bicycles Only (Ciclovia) sign in Jamaica: with No Bicycles sign in Continental Europe:
  2. ^ The last level crossing in Singapore closed in 2011, and thus train-related traffic signs became obsolete.
  3. ^ The Manila tranvia system was closed long before the country adopted standardized road signs.
  4. ^ Signs below used for crossroads with priority.
  5. ^ The sign below is a uniquely Tanzanian version of the sign above.
  6. ^ The sign below is a uniquely Tanzanian version of the sign above.
  7. ^ Similar signs exist as indication signs (signs F-300 – F-308).
  8. ^ Used only in New York.
  9. ^ Described by the DPWH as a "reverse turn" sign.
  10. ^ Unofficial versions exist.[18][19]
  11. ^ Top sign used in Victoria. Middle sign used in New South Wales. Bottom sign used in Queensland.
  12. ^ Described by the DPWH as a "school children crossing" sign.
  13. ^ This is combination advance warning sign (W308 "children") with a supplementary plate (IN11.4), commonly used to warn of school zones in South Africa. There is also a W305 "scholar patrol" warning for guarded pedestrian crossings:
  14. ^ Used only in California.
  15. ^ a b Temporary use only.
  16. ^ a b c d Top sign used in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Bottom sign used in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.
  17. ^ Temporary use only.
  18. ^ In Singapore, U-turns are forbidden per default, unless specifically allowed by a sign. While unofficial "U-turn prohibited" signs do exist, they only serve as a reminder, and the prohibition would still have been in place without the sign.
  19. ^ Used only in New York.
  20. ^ Mini-roundabouts only.
  21. ^ In many jurisdictions, "Overtaking Permitted" is indicated solely through a change in road markings, e.g. a solid center line changing to a dashed center line. In such jurisdictions, signs in this category are only posted in locations where a change in road markings is deemed insufficient notice for drivers. This is in contrast to "No Overtaking" signs, which are almost always posted alongside changes in road markings to indicate the end of an overtaking zone.
  22. ^ a b The circular sign is used to indicate on-street parking, while the square-shaped sign indicates off-street parking.
  23. ^ a b c d Pictographic symbol for use on guidance signs and supplementary plates; seldom a sign in its own right
  24. ^ Australia has no land borders. The sign is used when interstate borders are closed (eg during COVID-19 restrictions).
  25. ^ For ferry terminals and ports only.
  26. ^ The bottom two shields are only in use in Western Australia, and the bottom one in Queensland. Other states are phasing out the bottom two shields.

References

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  1. ^ "Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals". United Nations Treaty Collection. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "Image by draperc". Mapillary. September 9, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  3. ^ "Image by draperc". Mapillary. September 9, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  4. ^ "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  5. ^ "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  6. ^ "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  7. ^ Joseph, Dan B. (April 14, 2016). "Image by danbjoseph". Mapillary. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  8. ^ "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  9. ^ "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  10. ^ "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Image by kanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c Some speed limit signs are explicitly labeled in miles per hour,[2] but most are either explicitly[3][4][5][6] or implicitly measured in kilometers per hour.[7][8] Some signs use the MUTCD's metric speed limit design.[9][10][11]
  13. ^ British Columbia Manual of Standard Traffic Signs & Pavement Markings
  14. ^ "MUTCD HISTORY". ceprofs.civil.tamu.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  15. ^ Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition
  16. ^ a b c d e D Bain; et al. (Road Traffic Signs Technical Committee) (May 2012). Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Southern African Development Community Road Traffic Signs Manual. Vol. 1 (3rd ed.). Southern African Development Community. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  17. ^ "Image by draperc". Mapillary. August 18, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  18. ^ "N72 - Google Maps". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  19. ^ "R676 - Google Maps". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  20. ^ Joseph, Dan B. (April 14, 2016). "Image by danbjoseph". Mapillary. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  21. ^ "Image by draperc". Mapillary. October 11, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  22. ^ "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 10, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  23. ^ "Image by draperc". Mapillary. February 25, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
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