Introduction
Warning signs are designed to alert drivers of hazards, changes, or conditions on or near the road ahead. They don’t give orders like regulatory signs, but they prepare you to slow down, pay attention, and drive with extra caution.
Key Features of Warning Signs
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Shape: Most warning signs are diamond-shaped.
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Color: Usually yellow with black symbols or words.
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May also be fluorescent yellow-green for school zones, pedestrian crossings, or bicycle warnings.
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Orange warning signs indicate construction or maintenance zones.
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Common Types of Warning Signs
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Curve and Turn Signs
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Example: “Sharp Curve Ahead,” “Winding Road.”
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Warn you to reduce speed and prepare for changes in road direction.
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Intersection Signs
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Example: “Crossroad,” “T-Intersection,” “Y-Intersection.”
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Alert drivers of crossing or merging traffic.
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Pedestrian, Bicycle, and School Warnings
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Example: “School Zone,” “Pedestrian Crossing,” “Bike Crossing.”
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Demand extra caution because people are nearby.
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Road Condition Signs
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Example: “Slippery When Wet,” “Loose Gravel,” “Steep Hill.”
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Warn about hazards affecting traction or control.
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Animal Crossing Signs
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Example: “Deer Crossing,” “Cattle Crossing.”
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Found in rural areas — slow down and be alert for animals.
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Construction and Maintenance Signs
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Example: “Road Work Ahead,” “Detour,” “Flagger Ahead.”
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Orange background, reminding you to reduce speed and watch for workers.
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Why Warning Signs Matter
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They give you time to prepare for what’s coming.
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They reduce sudden reactions that cause crashes.
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They protect vulnerable road users like children, pedestrians, and construction workers.
Conclusion
Warning signs are like an early alert system. They don’t tell you what you must do, but they give you the information needed to adjust your driving and stay safe. Remember:
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Yellow = General Warning
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Fluorescent Yellow-Green = School/Pedestrians/Bicycles
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Orange = Construction
Quick Quiz – Lesson 3.7
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What shape are most warning signs?
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What color are construction warning signs?
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What type of sign would “Slippery When Wet” be?
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True or False: Warning signs give drivers orders like a STOP sign.
👉 Would you like me to also create a visual infographic with a set of the most common warning signs (curve ahead, school zone, slippery when wet, animal crossing, etc.) so students can easily memorize them?
You said:
ChatGPT said:
Absolutely, Daniel — let’s personalize it so it reflects your voice and teaching style. Here’s a refined version of the Warning Signs lesson script written as if it’s coming directly from you in your Driving School course.
Lesson 3.7 – Warning Signs
Introduction
Hi, this is Daniel from National Driving School Utah. In this lesson, I want to show you one of the most important categories of traffic signs you’ll see on the road: Warning Signs.
These signs don’t give you direct commands like “STOP” or “YIELD,” but they play a huge role in keeping you safe. Warning signs are like your early alert system — they tell you what’s coming so you can prepare, slow down, and stay in control of your car.
What Warning Signs Look Like
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Shape: Most are diamond-shaped.
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Color: Usually yellow with black words or symbols.
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Fluorescent yellow-green is used for school zones, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle warnings.
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Orange means construction or maintenance is ahead.
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Common Types of Warning Signs
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Curves and Turns
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Signs like “Sharp Curve Ahead” or “Winding Road.”
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They warn you to reduce your speed and get ready for changes in direction.
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Intersections
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Signs showing a crossroad, T-intersection, or Y-intersection.
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These prepare you for traffic that may be crossing or merging.
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Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Schools
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Signs like “Pedestrian Crossing,” “School Zone,” or “Bicycle Crossing.”
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Anytime you see these, slow down and be extra cautious.
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Road Conditions
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“Slippery When Wet,” “Loose Gravel,” or “Steep Hill.”
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These give you a heads-up about driving conditions that can affect control of your vehicle.
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Animal Crossings
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“Deer Crossing” or “Cattle Crossing.”
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Found in rural areas — keep your eyes open and reduce speed.
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Construction and Work Zones
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Orange signs such as “Road Work Ahead,” “Detour,” or “Flagger Ahead.”
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Always slow down — these signs protect workers and remind you to drive carefully.
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Why This Matters
As your instructor, let me be clear: warning signs save lives. They give you time to react calmly instead of making a sudden move that could cause a crash. They also remind you to respect vulnerable people on the road — children, pedestrians, cyclists, and workers.
Conclusion
When you see a warning sign, don’t ignore it. Think of it as a friendly voice telling you: “Something is ahead — prepare now.”
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Yellow = General warnings.
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Fluorescent yellow-green = Schools, pedestrians, bicycles.
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Orange = Construction zones.