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
-
Shape: Most are diamond-shaped.
-
Color: Usually yellow with black words or symbols.
-
Fluorescent yellow-green is used for school zones, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle warnings.
-
Orange means construction or maintenance is ahead.
-
Common Types of Warning Signs
-
Curves and Turns
-
Signs like “Sharp Curve Ahead” or “Winding Road.”
-
They warn you to reduce your speed and get ready for changes in direction.
-
-
Intersections
-
Signs showing a crossroad, T-intersection, or Y-intersection.
-
These prepare you for traffic that may be crossing or merging.
-
-
Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Schools
-
Signs like “Pedestrian Crossing,” “School Zone,” or “Bicycle Crossing.”
-
Anytime you see these, slow down and be extra cautious.
-
-
Road Conditions
-
“Slippery When Wet,” “Loose Gravel,” or “Steep Hill.”
-
These give you a heads-up about driving conditions that can affect control of your vehicle.
-
-
Animal Crossings
-
“Deer Crossing” or “Cattle Crossing.”
-
Found in rural areas — keep your eyes open and reduce speed.
-
-
Construction and Work Zones
-
Orange signs such as “Road Work Ahead,” “Detour,” or “Flagger Ahead.”
-
Always slow down — these signs protect workers and remind you to drive carefully.
-
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.”
-
Yellow = General warnings.
-
Fluorescent yellow-green = Schools, pedestrians, bicycles.
-
Orange = Construction zones.