Traffic Signs and Controls

Stop Sign - An official, 8-sided,  highway red and white sign with the word "stop" on it at which you are required to stop (by law).

Traffic Signal - A signal light used on roads, especially at an intersection, to regulate the movement of traffic. A traffic light is usually fixed, alternating red, green and yellow, indicating stop and go (and caution). It is usually counted whether operating or not.

Yield Sign - A triangle-shaped official highway sign with the word "Yield" on it, at which you are required to give way to traffic on another road or roads. (Color may be white on red, red on white or black on yellow).

See Integrity Of An Intersection in this Glossary

for conventions and use of Stop Signs, Yield Signs

and Traffic Signals.

Traffic Control - A Stop Sign, Traffic Signal or Yield sign.

STOP

Marked Road Signs - Black on yellow official highway warning signs that accurately depict the next intersection:

Marked Sideroad (See Sideroad definition) - A sideroad immediately (I.e. the next intersection) preceded by a black on yellow marked road sign that accurately depicts the intersection.

(examples A through D)

A

B

C

D

A

D

B

C

G

F

E

JCT

ILLINOIS

58

   Note that slight angle differences on a marked sideroad or crossroad sign are irrelevant, for example the sideroad after Sign Example B might actually be an intersection like the one below

Also, obviously, when a sideroad or crossroad is indicated on a turn arrow like in Example C, the arrow part  need not be on the road.

  YIELD

Marked Crossroad - A crossroad (see crossroad definition) immediately (I.e. the next intersection) preceded by a marked crossroad sign that accurately depicts the intersection.

(Examples E, F, G).

Other Premarkers -  Some road names/numbers may be marked prior to the intersection, with a black on yellow sign (usually attached to a marked road sign, stop ahead or traffic signal ahead sign) or a green and white sign containing the name of the road.

Numbered routes are usually premarked by white and black signs indicating the number of the road (or in use with a "JCT" sign).

Glossary,  Continued

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