Florida Driver's Handbook 2008

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4. Signals, Signs, and Pavement Markings

• 4.1. Traffic Signals
• 4.2. Traffic Signs
• 4.3. Traffic Signs - Warnings
• 4.4. Traffic Signs - Rectangles
• 4.5. Railroad Crossing Signs and Signals
• 4.6. Drawbridge Signs and Signals
• 4.7. Special Signs
• 4.8. Pavement Markings

Construction and Maintenance Traffic Control Signs

Various traffic control devices are used in road construction and maintenance work areas to direct drivers and pedestrians safely through the work site and to provide for the safety of highway workers.

Be prepared to reduce your speed and use caution when directed to do so by a sign, flagger and/or police officer.

Construction and maintenance signs are used to notify drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions in or near work areas. Most signs used in highway and street work areas are diamond shaped.

Channeling Devices

Barricades, vertical panels, drums, and cones are the most commonly used devices to alert drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions in highway and street work zones. These devices are used to guide the drivers safely through the work area, and at night, they may be equipped with warning lights. When a Road Closed sign is displayed, do not drive on this road. Look for a detour or another route.

Stripes on barricades and panel devices slope downward in the direction traffic must travel.

Flashing Arrow Panels

Flashing arrow panels are used both during the day and at night to give advance warning and directional information to drivers, where it is necessary to move to the right or to the left into another lane.

A horizontal flashing bar indicates a warning - use caution approaching the work area.

Flaggers

Flaggers are often provided in highway and street work zones to stop, slow, or guide traffic safely through the area.

Flaggers wear orange vests or jackets and use red flags or stop/slow panels to direct traffic through work zones.

Special Signs

Slow Moving Vehicle
Vehicles going less than 25 miles per hour (such as farm equipment) must display this sign on the rear when using public highways.

Green Guide Signs

Green and white signs give information about directions and distances. Guide signs on expressways show you which lanes to use to get where you want to go. Routes that run generally East-West have even numbers and those running North-South have odd numbers.

Blue and White Service Signs

Blue and white signs direct you to services, such as gas, food, motels and hospitals.

Brown and White Service Signs

Brown and white signs point out scenic areas and parks.

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