Traffic signsCanada

26. Curve

A curve is a section of road that changes direction to the left or right. A sharp, unexpected or poorly visible curve can reduce a driver’s view of approaching traffic, stopped vehicles, pedestrians and other hazards.

Drivers should reduce speed before entering the curve, remain within their lane and use smooth steering, braking and acceleration. Warning signs may indicate the direction of the first curve or a series of successive curves.

27. Wrong-way driving

Wrong-way driving occurs when a driver travels against the legally permitted direction of traffic. It may happen on a one-way road, divided road, freeway entrance or exit, or another road section reserved for traffic travelling in one direction.

Wrong-way driving creates an extreme risk of a head-on collision. Drivers must follow direction signs, no-entry signs, lane arrows and pavement markings. Anyone who accidentally enters a road in the wrong direction should slow down, warn other traffic, stop in the safest available place and contact the emergency services.

28. Road work

Road work refers to construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road. They may temporarily change the road layout, lane widths, speed limits, priority, permitted directions and facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.

Drivers must follow the temporary signs, traffic signals, barriers, pavement markings and instructions from authorized personnel. They should reduce speed, increase their following distance and remain prepared for narrow lanes, stopped traffic, workers, machinery and sudden changes in the route.

29. Height limit

A height limit prohibits vehicles whose total height exceeds the value shown from entering or passing a road section, bridge, tunnel, gateway or other structure. The vehicle’s height includes its load and any equipment attached above it.

Drivers of high vehicles must know their exact height, observe advance warnings and use an alternative route when necessary. They should never rely only on visual judgement or attempt to pass beneath a structure when safe clearance is uncertain.

30. Weight limit

A weight limit prohibits vehicles or vehicle combinations whose mass exceeds the value shown from entering or passing a road section, bridge, tunnel or other structure. Depending on local law, the restriction may concern the vehicle’s actual loaded mass, maximum authorized mass or load on an individual axle.

Drivers must know which type of mass the sign refers to and must include the vehicle, passengers, cargo and any trailer where required. A vehicle that exceeds the limit must use another suitable route.

31. Radar speed sign

A radar speed sign warns drivers that vehicle speeds may be monitored by a fixed camera, mobile radar, lidar or average-speed enforcement system. It reminds drivers to check and respect the applicable speed limit.

The sign does not normally establish the speed limit itself. Drivers must follow the general, posted or variable speed limit applying to the road and must not brake suddenly merely because speed enforcement is indicated.

32. Selective barriers

Selective barriers are physical access-control devices that allow certain road users or authorized vehicles to pass while restricting other traffic. They may include fixed, removable, folding or retractable bollards, gates, barriers and width-filtering installations.

The permitted users are determined by traffic signs, access conditions and local regulations, not by the barrier alone. Drivers should approach slowly, verify that they are authorized and wait until any moving barrier is fully open or retracted before continuing.

33. Priority at the next intersection

Priority at the next intersection means that drivers travelling on a particular road have the right-of-way over traffic entering from intersecting roads at the next intersection. The priority arrangement is normally indicated by signs facing both the priority traffic and the traffic that must yield.

Unlike a continuing priority road, this priority applies only at the indicated intersection. Drivers must still approach cautiously and obey traffic signals, authorized officers, crossings, turning rules and other applicable signs.

34. Traffic signals

Traffic signals use coloured lights, arrows or symbols to regulate when road users may proceed, must prepare to stop or must remain stopped. Separate signals may apply to particular directions, lanes, pedestrians, cyclists or public transit vehicles.

A green light permits movement only when the route is clear and the movement is otherwise legal. Road users must still follow right-of-way rules, turning restrictions, lane markings and instructions from authorized traffic controllers.

35. Traffic signals ahead

A traffic signals ahead sign warns drivers that traffic signals are located ahead. It is commonly used where the signals may be unexpected, difficult to see from a distance or located on a road where drivers need additional time to prepare to stop.

Drivers approaching this sign should reduce speed when necessary, watch for the signals ahead and be prepared to stop if the traffic signal changes or traffic is waiting at the intersection.

36. Pedestrian lights

Pedestrian lights are traffic signals that regulate when pedestrians may begin crossing a road. They normally display a red standing figure to prohibit starting and a green walking figure to permit crossing.

A flashing signal or countdown may warn that the permitted crossing period is ending. Pedestrians should cross without unnecessary delay, while turning drivers must remain alert and allow pedestrians who entered lawfully to finish crossing safely.

37. All-way stop

An all-way stop is an intersection where traffic approaching from every direction is required to stop before entering. It is usually indicated by a stop sign on each approach and is commonly used where traffic from intersecting roads needs to be controlled without traffic signals.

Every driver must come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe and permitted. The rules determining which vehicle may proceed first differ between countries, so drivers should follow the local right-of-way rules rather than assuming that the first vehicle to arrive always has the right-of-way.

38. Emergency telephone

An emergency telephone is a dedicated roadside or tunnel telephone that connects road users directly with an emergency, traffic-control or roadside-assistance centre. Emergency telephones are commonly installed in tunnels, along freeways or at other locations where quickly reporting an accident, breakdown or fire is important. They can provide operators with useful information about the caller’s location and may remain available where mobile-phone reception is poor.

39. No parking

No parking indicates that vehicles may not be left parked at the location or along the section of road covered by the restriction. Depending on local law, a driver may still be allowed to stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods, provided stopping itself is not prohibited.

A no-parking restriction may apply continuously or only during specified times, days, vehicle categories or sections of road. Its exact extent and exceptions are determined by the traffic sign, supplemental panels, pavement markings and local traffic regulations.

40. No stopping

No stopping means that vehicles are not permitted to stop voluntarily at the indicated location, even briefly for picking up or dropping off passengers or loading or unloading goods. It is a stricter restriction than a no-parking rule.

A no-stopping restriction may be indicated by a traffic sign, road marking or local traffic regulation. Drivers should continue to a place where stopping is permitted unless they are forced to stop by traffic conditions, an emergency or another legal requirement.

41. Parallel parking

Parallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle parallel to the edge of the road, usually in a space between two parked vehicles. It is commonly used where parking spaces are arranged along the side of a street.

Parallel parking normally involves positioning the vehicle beside the available space and backing up into it while carefully checking mirrors, blind spots and surrounding traffic. The vehicle should finish within the permitted parking area and close enough to the road edge without obstructing other road users.

42. Disabled parking

Disabled parking refers to parking spaces and parking privileges reserved for people with disabilities who meet the applicable eligibility requirements. Reserved spaces are normally identified by the international wheelchair symbol and are positioned to provide easier access to nearby facilities.

Use of a disabled parking space generally requires a valid disabled parking permit or card. The permit normally belongs to the eligible person rather than to a particular vehicle and may only be used when that person is driving or travelling in the vehicle.

43. Traffic management

Traffic management is the organized control, regulation and guidance of road users to improve safety, traffic flow and the efficient use of roads. It can include traffic signals, road signs, pavement markings, lane controls, variable speed limits, detours and directions given by authorized persons.

Traffic management may be permanent or temporary. Temporary measures are commonly introduced during road work, congestion, collisions, public events or other incidents. Drivers and other road users must follow the signs, signals and instructions applying at the location, even when they differ from the normal traffic arrangement.

44. Backing up

Backing up means driving a vehicle backwards. It is commonly used when parking, leaving a confined space or repositioning a vehicle where forward movement is not practical.

Before backing up, the driver should check mirrors and blind spots, look carefully around the vehicle and make sure the area behind is clear. Backing up should be performed slowly and only for as long as necessary because visibility behind the vehicle is often limited.

45. U-turn

A U-turn is a driving manoeuvre in which a vehicle turns around to travel in the opposite direction. It normally involves crossing part of the roadway and re-entering traffic facing the direction from which the vehicle came.

Before making a U-turn, the driver should check surrounding traffic, pedestrians and cyclists, signal when required and make sure there is enough visibility and space to complete the manoeuvre safely. U-turns may be prohibited by traffic signs or on particular types of roads.

46. Detour

A detour is a temporary alternative route used when the normal road is closed, blocked or unavailable. Detours are commonly introduced during road work, accidents, public events, flooding or other disruptions. Drivers should follow the temporary direction signs carefully, reduce speed where necessary and expect unfamiliar roads, changed priorities or additional traffic along the alternative route.

47. Uncontrolled intersection

An uncontrolled intersection is an intersection where traffic priority is not specifically regulated by traffic signals, an authorized person or signs assigning priority to particular approaches. Drivers must therefore determine who has the right-of-way using the default traffic rules that apply in that country.

The applicable rule varies between countries and may include priority from the right, priority from the left or another default right-of-way rule. Drivers should approach an uncontrolled intersection carefully, observe traffic from every direction and never assume that a wider or busier road automatically has the right-of-way.

48. Road surface

A road surface warning indicates that the road ahead may be uneven, damaged or in poor condition and could affect the stability, steering or braking of a vehicle. The hazard may include bumps, depressions, potholes, broken pavement or other irregularities in the road surface.

Drivers should reduce speed where necessary, maintain a safe distance and avoid sudden steering or braking when passing over an irregular surface. The exact meaning and appearance of the warning sign vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

49. Emergency lane

An emergency lane is a strip alongside the main traffic lanes of a freeway or other high-speed road that is normally kept free from regular traffic. It provides a place for vehicles that have broken down or are involved in an emergency and may also be used by emergency or authorized service vehicles where local rules permit.

Drivers should not use an emergency lane as a normal traffic lane. If a vehicle must stop there because of an emergency, occupants should follow the applicable safety procedures and remain as far away from moving traffic as possible.

50. Provisional licence

A provisional licence allows a learner driver to practise driving on public roads before obtaining a full driver's licence. The conditions vary between countries and may determine whether the learner must be accompanied by an approved supervisor, which vehicles may be driven, where and when driving is permitted and how long the licence remains valid. A provisional licence is normally subject to stricter rules than a full licence and is intended specifically for learning and gaining practical driving experience.