Priority signs explained

Priority traffic signs indicate the order in which vehicles shall pass intersection points. Vehicles often come into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians because their intended courses of travel intersect, and thus interfere with each other's routes. The general principle that establishes who has the right to go first is called "right of way" or "priority". It establishes who has the right to use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other does so. The vehicle that does not need to wait is said to "have the right of way" or to "have priority."

Types of sign

A Give way sign, also known as a yield sign in some countries, informs the driver that they must give way to vehicles on the major road. Under the Vienna Convention, the standard sign shall be a white or yellow inverted triangle with a red border.[1] This originates in Denmark, with the red and white coming from the Danish flag.[2] In some countries, the words Give Way or equivalent may be included with the sign. These signs are usually accompanied by a give way marking, normally one or multiple dashed lines or shark teeth across the carriageway.

Priority signs according to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals
Give WayInverted equilateral triangleWhite or yellowRed0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)None
StopOctagonRedWhite0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)"STOP" written in white
CircularWhite or yellowRed0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)"STOP" written in black or dark blue inside red inverted triangle
Priority roadDiamondWhiteBlack0.5 m (large), 0.35 m (small)Yellow or orange square
End of priority roadDiamondWhiteBlack0.5 m (large), 0.35 m (small)Yellow or orange square with black or grey diagonal lines crossing the sign
Priority for oncoming trafficCircularWhite or yellowRedUnspecifiedBlack arrow indicating direction with priority, red arrow indicating direction without
Priority over oncoming trafficRectangleBlueNoneUnspecifiedWhite arrow indicating direction with priority, red arrow indicating direction without

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Road Traffic and Road Signs and Signals Agreements and Conventions UNECE. 2021-09-12. unece.org.
  2. Bekendtgørelse om Hovedfærdselsaarer, 27. marts 1937, Denmark