American Road Signs You Have Been Reading Wrong

1. No means no and stop means stop

Image Source: Reddit 

Let's start off easy! Most people recognize this sign and know what it says, but that doesn't mean they do it. A stop sign truly means a full and complete stop... not a rolling stop while you're scrolling on your phone or a mild pause to see if cars are coming. Keep it safe out there, people.

2. To yield or not to yield

Image Source: Reddit

"Left Turn Yield On Green" might seem confusing, but it literally just means if the light is green and you're turning left, you have to yield to oncoming traffic, so be careful before pulling out into the intersection. However, if you have a green left turn arrow, you have the right of way!

3. Stay in your lane when you see this one

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When you see a sign that says "Soft Shoulder" it just means that there's either no shoulder, low shoulder or soft shoulder. The shoulder is unpaved strip of land on the side of the road. So pay close attention to this sign because the terrain could be a bit more dangerous than usual for you and your car!

4. Watch out for invisible cows

Image Source: Reddit

This sign seems like a joke at first, but if you read it carefully, it makes sense and serves as a warning for you on the road, similar to a deer crossing sign. Running into a cow going 60mph is not a good vibe for you or the cow, so keep your eyes on the road!

5. Use your words!

Image Source: Impact Recovery Systems

Okay, this one has no pictures or words, so what does it mean? The bright yellow seems to be trying to tell us something, I just know it. This sign is simply an object marker. It lets you know that you should be aware of a road barrier or other object nearby.

6. Did you know sometimes there's a minimum speed limit?

Image Source: Quora

We all know that it can be super dangerous to drive too fast. But did you know sometimes it's dangerous to drive too slow? If you see a sign that indicates the minimum speed limit, it's to help the flow of traffic and means that you have to keep up with at least that speed (but not higher than the maximum limit). You'll typically see these signs on highways.

7. Don't try to outdrive a train

Image Source: Bonner County 

If you're nearing a railroad crossing, the regulatory sign is this X shape and must be placed near the crossing. If there's a number listed underneath the sign, it is to indicate how many sets of tracks there are at that crossing so that you can pay attention before driving across.

8. If you see a diamond shaped sign, take warning!

Image Source: Reddit

Did you know the shape of signs also indicate what they mean? Diamond shaped signs are supposed to convey warning. They're used to alert you to road hazards and are typically accompanied by words or pictures that will explain why you need to use caution

9. Don't get stuck on the bridge!

Image Source: Quora

When you see this Narrow Bridge sign, it means that the bridge is not as wide as the road you're currently on, so make sure your vehicle can clear the bridge safely. If your vehicle is larger, you'll want to pay particular attention to avoid a dangerous situation!

10. Know when it's safe to pass

Image Source: Lakeland PBS

If you see a sign that's in a pennant shape, most commonly seen in sports, it simply means that you are in a no-passing zone. So don't try to whip around that car that's going 35mph in a 55 zone. Keep in your lane until you see the road lines open up for passing again.

11. This squiggly arrow tells you where to go

Image Source: Reddit

This sign means that you need to keep to your right. The road is most likely splitting because of a median or a construction area, so definitely follow this sign. You don't want to end up in a dangerous area or accidentally driving down the wrong side of the road!

12. Keeping you and others safe

Image Source: Reddit

When you see a "Workers Ahead" sign, it's a good idea to slow down and approach with caution to keep yourself and the construction workers safe. There may be more going on than just shoveling - including moving vehicles. It's gotta be scary doing road work with crazy drivers not paying attention, so do your part and slow down!

13. Get ready to stop when you see this orange sign

Image Source: Pinterest

If you see a little guy holding a flag on an orange sign, it means that they had to shut down a lane of traffic because of construction. You'll see an actual construction worker with a flag telling you when to slow down or stop. Please listen to the worker and don't give them a hard time for doing their job!

14. Take care of our furry friends

Image Source: Reddit

A yellow sign with an animal picture on it means that a high volume of that type of animal is in the area and it's possible that they might cross the road. It's important to slow down, because these are posted in known animal migration areas, and you don't want to hurt a furry little (or big) guy!

15. Honestly, this one is kinda useless

Image Source: Quora

Okay, so maybe you haven't been reading this one wrong. After thorough research, there seems to be little to no point of a "Sign Not In Use" sign. Who thinks of these things? Was it formerly a sign in use that has retired? If anyone knows the purpose, my DMs are open.

16. This sign could save your life

Image Source: Reddit

You may not know what this means if you've only been driving since the invention of cell phones. But this blue sign with a picture of a phone or "Call Box" on it indicates where an emergency phone is located. They're still typically found in rural areas where cell reception might be spotty. So if you run out of gas or need roadside assistance, these signs can come in handy!

17. Don't let your vehicle run away!

Image Source: Reddit

When you drive in an area with a gradual incline or decline, you might see a sign that says "Runaway Vehicles Only." The area is typically used for trucks that have lost control and could be a patch of road off of the main road that's covered in sand or gravel to help the vehicle come to a stop.

18. Even the colors mean something

Image Source: Reddit

Road signs that are green are that color to be a visual indicator that they are giving you directions, whether it be the names of street, mile markers, or signaling an exit. You often also see green signs to show the distance to a specific city. The more you know!

19. If you see a red sign, do this

Image Source: Quora

Red colored road signs demand your attention. It means that you are meant to stop or yield. Beyond just stop signs, this applies to signs that are telling you not to enter or that you're going the wrong way. They also indicate where you can't make U-turns, or where you can't park.

20. When you're on a roadtrip, look for the blue signs

Image Source: HowStuffWorks 

Blue signs are different from the other colors, because they're meant to be informational to display services available for travelers. So if you're road tripping, you'll see these signs indicating tourist sites, rest areas, where you can find gas stations, restaurants and more.

21. There's a new color in town, and you need to know what it means

Image Source: Reddit

There's a new road sign color that looks like a fluorescent yellow or green color. This color is specifically used to indicate where pedestrians are crossing, where bicycle riders might be present, or where school crossings take place. This color is being utilized more and more because it's easily visible in rain or fog.

22. Beware of... BOMBS?!

Image Source: Reddit 

Okay, you're probably not reading this sign wrong. But no one would blame you if you decided to turn around when you see it, because objects... apparently BOMBS?!... are potentially falling from aircrafts for the next 12 miles. That's a hard pass from me, thanks!

23. For all you Tesla drivers

Image Source: Reddit

If you see a sign that says "Inherently Low Emission Vehicles Allowed", then it means if you have a low emission vehicle, you're allowed to use the carpool (HOV) lane, even if you're by yourself. The HOV lane is typically for vehicles with multiple passengers to encourage people to ride together in more efficient forms of transportation. But if have a low emission vehicle, you get to partake in this perk even if you're alone!

24. Yield signs are like an easy stop, most of the time

Image Source: Reddit

When you see that red upside-down triangle that says "Yield," it means you don't have to come to a full stop, but you might! You need to give way to vehicles that might be approaching from a different way. If there are no cars in your path, then you're free to continue, but if vehicles are approaching, you need to yield (or stop) to them and let them cross through the area first.

25. Get ready to DIP

Image Source: Reddit

A sign that is yellow and says "Dip" is to let you know that there's a dip in the road ahead, and you should probably slow down! If there's a sign it means that the drop and immediate re-elevation of the road is intense enough that it could cause damage to you or your vehicle if you go too fast over the area!

26. Be careful or your truck might roll over

Image Source: Reddit

As a truck driver, you want to pay attention to the yellow diamond shaped signs with a picture of a semi truck rolling over. This sign indicates that the slope of the road is creating a prime condition for your truck to literally roll over. Proceed with caution!

27. You can't park here... ever!

Image Source: Reddit

If you've ever gotten a parking ticket, you're probably very aware of the meaning of this sign. But unlike other parking signs that indicate specific times parking is available, this sign means you cannot park in that area at any time. Be sure to read the signs carefully as there are often stipulations around the timing and the area of parking.

28. Proceed with caution when you see this

Image Source: Reddit

If you see a yellow diamond shaped sign with an arrow pointing down next to an arrow pointing up, it means that you're entering a two-way traffic zone where the road is not divided by a median, so there's only a little dashed road line to separate you from oncoming traffic. Keep alert so that you don't swerve out of your lane!

29. If you live in a state on a country borderline, keep an eye out for this

Image Source: Reddit

If you are driving in a location near the border (i.e. Texas), you may have seen these Family Crossing signs. They alert drivers to the fact that immigrants may be crossing the highway on foot. One of the many many reasons it's important to not be on your phone or distracted while driving!

30. No... thumbs-up?

Image Source: VOX

If you see a sign with a thumbs-up crossed out in red, it doesn't mean that thumbs-ups are not allowed. It means that hitchhiking isn't allowed in the area. So find yourself on the side of the road needing a ride, you'll have to keep walking until you reach an area that allows hitchhiking. And remember to stay safe!