LESSON 2

The Concept and Importance of Traffic Signs: Ensuring Safe and Efficient Road
Use
Concept
Traffic Sign In addition to encouraging a safe and effective use of the road system,
traffic signs, along with traffic signal lights and road markings, are used to swiftly and
effectively convey a wide range of information needed by road users, particularly
vehicle drivers.
Traffic sign definition: a road sign, especially one carrying information intended to
ensure the safe and smooth movement of vehicles, such as speed limits, parking and
lane restrictions, the presence of crosswalks, etc.
Traffic Sign refer to any apparatus that is placed on a movable support and uses words
or symbols that are formally installed to regulate, alert, or guide traffic. The following
purposes are served by the installation of traffic signs:
1) to control traffic,
2) to safeguard the flow of traffic,
3) to expedite traffic, and
4) to guide traffic and motorists.

Standardization of traffic signs must adhere to the dimensions, color, shape, size,
height, lettering, and symbols specified in the DPWH'S guidelines for the erection and
display of standard road signs and markers.
Traffic Signs No commercial advertisements may be displayed on traffic signs, which
may only be erected by officials with the appropriate permission or by the public.
All drivers must possess a comprehensive understanding of traffic signs, signals, road,
and pavement markings. Even in the absence of a traffic police officer, every driver
must be able to recognize them and follow them without question.
A. Historical Background- A. Early signposts in Britain were built at private
expense by people. Parishes had to erect guideposts at crossroads by law starting in
1648. Turnpike Trusts were tasked with erecting and maintaining these and mileposts
in 1733. The Motor Car Act of 1903 assigned municipal governments the duty of
erecting certain prohibitory and warning signs.
The United Nations (UN) held talks on the implementation of international traffic
signs due to the rise in international travel following World War II. Nevertheless,
United Kingdom (UK) signs were not altered to follow the European system until
1965. An estimate of 2, 500,000 signs and signals, 850, 000 road markings, and
7,000,000 road studs on English roads was made in 1995. Conversely, the United
States (US) established a set of national guidelines for sign, color, shape, and usage
after adopting the signs in the 1970s.
June 6, 1973, saw the Philippines, via P. D. 207 proclaimed the UN Vienna
Convention on road traffic, signs, markings, and signals to be a part of Philippine
legislation.In order to promote road safety and facilitate international traffic, the
participating nations in this agreement have pledged to adopt the traffic, road sign,
signal, and symbol systems and markings outlined in the document.
Classification of Traffic Signs in the Philippines
The following are classification of Road signs based on Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) Road Safety Manual 2012 and as cited by the Land
Transportation Office in their website.

Road Signs in the Philippines are overseen and standardized by the Public Works
and Highways Department. The majority of the signs adhere to the Vienna
Convention as an initial signatory while displaying subtle influences from American
and Australian signage.

B. International Traffic Signs. As stated in the Vienna Convention, the system of

signals and signs that it has mandated is predicated on the use of colors and shapes,
the traits of each class of sign, and, if practical, the use of graphic symbols rather than
inscriptions, with a few notable exceptions, one of which is the US STOP sign.
These basic sign shapes are:
1.Traffic laws are governed by round and red signs, which control turning and
passing.
2.Round, black signs with yellow text indicate that a railroad crossing is about
to be reached.
3.Equilateral triangle red signs: these are traffic signals at intersections telling
cars to give way to oncoming traffic in the cross-traffic area.
4.Eight-sided (octagonal) red and white stop sign: the most widely used and
comprehended sign across all languages and ethnicities;and
5.Triangle red and black sign: you are about to enter a dangerous area, a hill, a
slope, a narrow road, and so forth.

C. Classification of International Traffic Signs.

1.Danger Warning Signs.These signs, commonly referred to as "caution
signs," are equilateral triangles with a red border around one side that is horizontal.
These are signs intended to:
a. warn motorist of approaching hazardous road conditions,
b. seek caution for the approaching road hazards, and
c. call the reduction of speed.
Samples

Sample of Horizontal Alignment Signs

Road Obstacle Signs

2.Regulatory Signs.These are signs that establish legal limitations that are relevant at
a specific site and are typically enforceable even in the absence of such signs. They
are meant to:
a. inform road users of certain laws and regulations, and
b. special obligations, instructions, or prohibitions which they must
comply with and violations of which constitute misdemeanor.
Note: All regulatory signs, with the exception of "Stop Signs" and "Yield Signs," are
circular in shape.
These signs are further classified into two:
a. prohibitive and restrictive signs, and
b. mandatory signs.
Sample

Prohibitive/Restrictive Signs

Mandatory Signs

3.Informative SignsThe rectangular design, white in color on a blue background, is

used for informative signage. These signs are often referred to as "guide signs" or
"direction signs." Typically, destination signs and route markers have a green
background. The purpose of informative signage is to:
a. guide motorists along established routes,
b. inform the motorists of the proper roads, and
help motorists along the way in the simplest and direct method.
Sample

Advance Direction Signs

Intersection Direction Sign

ACTIVITY

1. Draw at least five example of regulatory sign.

2. Differentiate regulatory sign and informative sign?
3. Define the historical background of traffic sign?
4. What is the purpose of danger warning sign?
5. What is International Traffic Signs?
Referrences:
Solumn,J.(2020,September10).Traffic
sign.https://www.bing.compsq=trafffic+sign+definition.

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r=2&hsh=3&fclid=379aafa2-3648-6fc5-1fad-
a06237376e46&psq=Historical+Background+of+traffic+sign.

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ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=379aafa2-3648-6fc5-1fad-
a06237376e46&psq=Classification+of+Traffic+Signs+in+the+Philippines&u=a1aHR
0cHM6Ly93d3cubW9uZXltYXgucGgvbGlmZXN0eWxlL2FydGljbGVzL3JvYWQtc
2lnbnMtYW5kLXdoYXQtdGhleS1tZWFuIzp-
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Xb3JrJTIwU2lnbnMlMjA&ntb=1

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W1pbS5jb20vdmllbm5hLWNvbnZlbnRpb24tb24tcm9hZC1zaWducy1hbmQtc2lnbm
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a06237376e46&psq=C.Classification+of+International+Traffic+Signs+definition&u=
a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvVmllbm5hX0NvbnZlbnRpb2
5fb25fUm9hZF9TaWduc19hbmRfU2lnbmFscyM6fjp0ZXh0PUluJTIwYXJ0aWNsZ
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