Traffic signsUnited States

176. Guardrail

A guardrail is a roadside safety barrier designed to reduce the consequences of a vehicle leaving the roadway. It can help redirect or contain an errant vehicle and separate traffic from hazards such as steep slopes, bridge structures, fixed objects or opposing traffic.

Guardrails are intended to reduce the severity of a collision rather than prevent every crash. Their design, location and construction depend on the road, traffic conditions and the hazard they are intended to protect against.

177. Concrete step barrier

A concrete step barrier is a concrete vehicle-restraint barrier with a stepped or sloping face profile. It is used along roads or in central reservations to contain and redirect vehicles that leave their intended path and to reduce the risk of entering opposing traffic or reaching dangerous roadside hazards.

Concrete step barriers may be cast in place or made from connected prefabricated sections. Their containment level, impact behaviour and permitted movement depend on the particular barrier system and installation.

178. Barriers

Barriers are physical devices used to block, restrict, guide or separate traffic. They can protect road users, close roads or lanes, control access, separate opposing traffic or shield people and work areas from moving vehicles.

Road barriers may be permanent or temporary and can include gates, boom barriers, concrete barriers, movable barriers and other restraint or closure systems. Drivers must respect barriers and must not pass them when they indicate that a road or area is closed.

179. Vehicle lights

Vehicle lights are lighting and signalling devices fitted to a vehicle to help the driver see, make the vehicle visible and communicate intentions to other road users. They include dipped-beam and main-beam headlights, position lights, daytime running lights, rear lights, brake lights, direction indicators, reversing lights, fog lights and hazard warning lights.

Drivers should use the appropriate lights for the visibility, weather and traffic conditions. Lights must be kept clean and in working condition, and lights that can dazzle other road users should only be used when permitted.

180. Street lights

Street lights are fixed lighting installations used to illuminate roads, intersections, crossings, footpaths and other public traffic areas during darkness. They improve visibility of the roadway, road users and potential hazards.

Street lighting does not replace a driver's responsibility to use the vehicle's required lights or to adapt speed to visibility. Lighting levels can vary considerably between roads, and some roads may be only partly illuminated or completely unlit.

181. Dipped beam

Dipped beam is the low-beam setting of a vehicle's headlights. It illuminates the road ahead while directing the light downward so that it is less likely to dazzle drivers and other road users.

Dipped-beam headlights are normally used at night, in poor visibility and whenever main beam could dazzle another road user. They provide less illumination than main beam but are suitable for normal driving when other traffic is nearby.

182. High beam

High beam, also called main beam, is the headlight setting designed to illuminate the road a long distance ahead. It provides stronger and farther-reaching illumination than dipped beam but can dazzle other road users if used incorrectly.

High beam is mainly useful on dark roads where there is no nearby traffic that could be dazzled. Drivers must switch to dipped beam whenever required by traffic conditions or national rules.

183. Fog lights

Fog lights are vehicle lights designed for use in conditions where visibility is seriously reduced by fog, snow or other severe weather. Front fog lights illuminate the road ahead at a low level, while rear fog lights make the vehicle more visible to road users approaching from behind.

Fog lights should only be used in the conditions permitted by local traffic rules. Rear fog lights are particularly bright and can dazzle or distract following drivers when visibility is good.

184. Front fog lights

Front fog lights are low-mounted vehicle lights designed to improve illumination of the road immediately ahead when visibility is reduced by fog, snow or heavy rain. Their beam is generally wide and directed low towards the road surface.

Front fog lights should only be used in the weather conditions permitted by local traffic rules. They are supplementary lights and should not be used unnecessarily in normal visibility.

185. Rear fog lights

Rear fog lights are bright red lights at the rear of a vehicle that make it easier for following road users to see the vehicle when visibility is severely reduced. They are much brighter than normal rear position lights.

Because rear fog lights can dazzle or distract drivers behind, they should only be used in the weather conditions permitted by local traffic rules and should be switched off when visibility improves.

186. Side lights

Side lights, also called position lights, are low-intensity vehicle lights used to make a vehicle visible and indicate its presence and approximate width. Unlike dipped-beam or high-beam headlights, they are not designed to illuminate the road far enough for normal driving at night.

Side lights are commonly used together with other vehicle lighting and may also be used to make a stationary or parked vehicle visible in darkness. Their required use depends on national traffic rules.

187. Turn signals

Turn signals, also called direction indicators, are flashing lights used to communicate a driver's intention to turn or move laterally, such as when changing lanes. They normally flash on the side towards which the vehicle intends to move.

Turn signals should be activated early enough to give other road users useful warning and should be cancelled once the intended movement has been completed. Signalling does not itself give the driver priority or make an unsafe manoeuvre permissible.

188. Hazard lights

Hazard lights, also called hazard warning lights, make all of a vehicle's direction indicators flash simultaneously. They are used to warn other road users that the vehicle or traffic situation presents an unusual or immediate danger.

Hazard lights may be appropriate after a breakdown, collision or when warning following traffic of a sudden hazard. They should not normally be used as a substitute for proper parking, signalling or vehicle lighting.

189. Dashboard lights

Dashboard lights are illuminated symbols and indicators on a vehicle's instrument panel that provide information about the vehicle's operation, systems and possible faults. They can show functions such as headlights, turn signals, fuel level, engine condition, tyre pressure, braking systems and safety equipment.

Dashboard lights commonly use different colours to indicate importance. Green or blue usually shows that a system is operating, amber or yellow generally indicates that attention may be required, and red often warns of a serious condition requiring prompt action.

190. Bicycle lighting

Bicycle lighting refers to lights and reflectors fitted to a bicycle to help the rider see and be seen, especially in darkness or reduced visibility. Required equipment and the circumstances in which bicycle lights must be used vary by country, so riders should follow the applicable local rules.

191. Bicycle bell

A bicycle bell is a small audible warning device fitted to a bicycle, usually on the handlebars, and used to alert pedestrians, cyclists or other road users when necessary. Requirements to fit or use a bell vary by country and road environment. Riders should use it as a warning device without causing unnecessary disturbance.

192. Headlight flashing

Headlight flashing means briefly flashing a vehicle's headlights to attract another road user's attention. Its permitted use and meaning vary by country and situation, so drivers should not assume that a flash grants priority or authorises a manoeuvre. Headlights should not be flashed in a way that dazzles or distracts other road users.

193. Seat belt

A seat belt is a restraint system designed to hold a vehicle occupant securely in their seat during sudden braking or a collision. It helps reduce the risk of the occupant striking the vehicle interior or being thrown from the vehicle.

A seat belt should fit firmly across the body, with the lap section positioned low across the hips and the shoulder section across the chest. It should not be twisted, placed behind the back or used in a way that reduces its protective effect.

194. Child restraints

Child restraints are safety systems designed to protect children travelling in vehicles. They include rear-facing and forward-facing child seats and booster seats that position and restrain a child according to their size and the restraint system's specifications.

A child restraint should be suitable for the child and vehicle, installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and secured correctly on every journey. Rear-facing restraints must never be placed in front of an active frontal airbag.

195. Head restraints

Head restraints, also called headrests, are vehicle safety devices designed to limit the rearward movement of an occupant's head relative to the body during a collision. They help reduce the risk of injuries to the neck and cervical spine, particularly in rear impacts.

An adjustable head restraint should be positioned so that it supports the back of the head rather than the neck and is as close to the head as practical. Drivers and passengers should adjust the restraint to their body size before travelling.

196. Airbag

An airbag is a vehicle safety device that rapidly inflates during certain collisions to help reduce the risk of an occupant striking the steering wheel, dashboard, doors or other parts of the vehicle interior. Vehicles may have frontal, side, curtain or other types of airbags.

Airbags form part of a supplemental restraint system (SRS) and are designed to work together with seat belts rather than replace them. Occupants should sit correctly, wear their seat belts and follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions concerning airbags and child-restraint systems.

197. ABS

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is an active safety system that helps prevent a vehicle's wheels from locking during hard braking. It automatically adjusts braking pressure at individual wheels so that they continue to rotate sufficiently to maintain directional control.

When ABS operates, the driver may feel rapid pulsing or vibration through the brake pedal. The driver should normally maintain firm braking pressure and continue steering towards a safe path rather than repeatedly releasing and reapplying the brake.

198. Esp

ESP (Electronic Stability Program), also known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), is an active safety system designed to help prevent a vehicle from skidding or losing directional control. It compares the driver's intended direction with the vehicle's actual movement and can intervene when instability is detected.

ESP can automatically brake individual wheels and, depending on the vehicle, reduce engine power to help bring the vehicle back towards the intended path. The system operates within the limits of tyre grip and cannot overcome excessive speed or very slippery conditions.

199. Traction control system

Traction Control System (TCS) is an active safety system that helps prevent the driven wheels from spinning excessively during acceleration. When the system detects loss of traction, it can reduce engine power, apply braking to one or more wheels or use a combination of both.

Traction control is particularly useful when accelerating on wet, icy, snowy or loose surfaces. It helps the vehicle use the available tyre grip more effectively but cannot create grip where little or none is available.

200. Helmet

A helmet is protective headgear designed to reduce the risk and severity of head injuries during a collision or fall. Different types of helmets are designed for motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and other activities and may be subject to specific safety standards.

Whether wearing a helmet is compulsory depends on the country, vehicle category, rider and sometimes age. A helmet should be suitable for its intended use, correctly fitted and securely worn so that it can provide the protection for which it was designed.