61 Chapter 3: Signs, Pavement Markings And Work Zones

61Chapter 3:Signs, Pavement Markings and Work Zones

62Traffic lights are placed at busy intersections to makethem safer. Both drivers and pedestrians must obeytraffic lights, except in cases when a police/trafficofficer directs otherwise.GREEN LIGHTSOne of the most important misconceptions is that thegreen light gives the driver an absolute right-of-way.The green signal is only a qualified permission toproceed carefully in the direction permitted by thesignal. It does not give you the right to rush into anintersection without regard for the safety of others.When the green light is inyour favour, observe thefollowing: Yield the right-of-way toany other vehicles lawfullywithin an intersection, andto pedestrians within thecrosswalk.Chapter 3: Traffic Signals Proceed only in the direction of the “green arrow”when a “green arrow” signal is accompanied by ared light. When turning right or left you must yield the rightof-way to any pedestrians who are within your halfof the roadway, or so close that there may bedanger of a collision. Do not enter an intersection unless you are certainof clearing it before the next change of signal lights.AMBER LIGHTSThe purpose of the amber light is to allow personswithin the intersection to clear the intersection beforethe light changes.Whenever you are approachingan intersection controlled bytraffic signal lights, be alertto the fact that the lightsmay change against you.

Chapter 3: Traffic SignalsHave your car under control, and never speed upas you approach an intersection. Try to be aware oftraffic lights at least a block ahead of you in orderto anticipate that a green light may change beforeyou get there. It is a violation of the Highway TrafficAct to enter an intersection on an amber light, unlessstopping cannot be done safely.RED LIGHTA red light means you must bring your vehicle to astop at a clearly marked stop line or, if none, at thenearest crosswalk or, if none, before entering theintersection.Wait until the signal changesto green before proceedingthrough the intersectionunless signs or signals permitspecial movements of trafficto proceed.63RIGHT TURNS AT RED LIGHTA right turn is permitted at a red light after making acomplete stop, providing there is no sign prohibiting aturn, and subject to the right-of-way of pedestrians orother traffic in or approaching the intersection.Do not impede or hold up traffic behind you after youhave stopped and the way is clear safely proceed.FLASHING RED LIGHTA flashing red light means you must bring your vehicleto a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe todo so.The flashing red light may be anoverhead light, a standard trafficsignal light or a beacon locateddirectly above a stop sign.

64FLASHING AMBER LIGHTA flashing amber light meanscaution. When facing a flashingamber light, slow down and beprepared to stop.SCHOOL SIGNAL LIGHTSAt many points where traffic is heavy, signal lightshave been placed at intersections and betweenintersections to make crossing of these streets saferfor children. These signals are in operation whenchildren are going to or from school. There may beadvance warning signs before the signal light.RAILROAD CROSSING LIGHTSAlthough there are no railways in Prince Edward Island,extra caution should be taken by drivers whendriving outside of Prince Edward Island. Signal lights orwarning lights flash when a train is approaching. Whenapproaching a railway crossing where a signal deviceChapter 3: Traffic Signalsis warning of the approach of a train, you must stopnot less than five metres (15 feet) from the nearest rail.The same rule applies when a flagperson signals that atrain is coming.The deadliest of all highway collisions occur betweena motor vehicle and a train. Public highway/railwaycrossings are marked with signs, and may also havemechanical or electrical warning devices. Learn whatthey are and watch for them. ADVANCE WARNING SIGNSThese signs tell you to look, listen and slow downbecause you may have to stop. There may be anadvisory speed tab erected below the advancewarning sign to show that the safe road speed is lessthan the posted speed. The advance warning sign alsoadvises the driver of the angle it crosses the road.

Chapter 3: Traffic Signals PAVEMENT MARKINGSPavement markings consist of an “X” and/or STOP linethat may be painted on the pavement at the approachto highway/railway crossings. RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNSRailway crossing signs are found at all public highway/railway crossings. A railway crossing sign meansdrivers must yield to all trains. If there is more thanone track, the sign below the railway crossing signindicates the number of tracks. RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNS WITH A STOP SIGNIf a stop sign is erected at a highway/railway crossing,the driver must stop no closer than five metres (15feet) and no further than 15 metres (45 metres) fromthe nearest rail. Drivers must not proceed until theycan do so safely.65 RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNS WITH FLASHINGLIGHTS AND BELLIf flashing lights and bell are erected at a highway/railway crossing, the driver must stop when the lightsand bell are activated because this means that a trainis approaching. All drivers must stop at the stop linepainted on the roadway or if none exists, no closerthan five metres (15 feet) from the nearest rail. Do notproceed until the lights and bell have stopped, thetrain has passed or until you can do so safely. If there ismore than one track, make sure all the tracks are clearbefore crossing.CROSSWALKSCrosswalks are provided at intersections and otherlocations where they may be required by the volumeof vehicles and pedestrians.

66CROSSWALKS AT INTERSECTIONSCrosswalks connect sidewalks on each side of theroadway indicating the path that pedestrians areto follow when crossing the street. At intersectionswithout traffic signals drivers are required to stopwhen a pedestrian enters the crosswalk on or close tothe side of the roadway that the driver is using.SCHOOL CROSSWALKSSchool crosswalks are provided where the schoolor community posts a crossing guard to control thestudents and traffic in order to provide a safe time forthe students to cross. When a school crossing guardis posted, drivers must stop when signalled to do soby the crossing guard and remain stopped until thecrosswalk is clear and the guard has left the crosswalk.SPECIAL CROSSWALKSOverhead signs and flashing amber beacons providegreater warning to drivers especially onChapter 3: Traffic Signalsmulti-lane streets. Whenspecial crosswalks areinstalled and beacons areactivated by pedestrians,the drivers must stopbefore entering thecrosswalk when thebeacons are flashing.CROSSWALKS WITH TRAFFIC SIGNALSWhere crosswalks are equipped with traffic signals, thedriver must respond to the traffic signals.PAVEMENT MARKINGSPavement markings are placed on a highway toindicate to the driver where the driving lanes are andmarkings provide any additional information whichmay be appropriate.

Chapter 3: Traffic SignalsYELLOW LINESYellow lines are used to separate traffic travelling inthe opposite directions. The yellow line must alwaysbe on the left of the driver except when passinganother vehicle. Yellow lines are also used to mark theleft shoulder on ramps and multi-lane highways. Solidyellow lines indicate that passing is not safe at thelocation. Broken yellow lines indicate that passing ispermitted if there is no opposing traffic.67WHITE LINESWhite lines are used toseparate traffic lanes inthe same direction and tomark the right shoulderline along the roadway.Shoulder lines are solidexcept at intersectionswhere they are turned onto the other roadway orbecome broken at a ramp. Solid lines indicate thatlane changes should not be made. Broken linesindicate that lane changes may occur with the properprecautions.White lane lines at intersections may be wider andshorter with shorter spaces to emphasize that vehicleswill be merging, changing lanes, accelerating andbraking in order to make the desired manoeuvres.Drivers should be alert to traffic changing lanes atthese locations.

68DIAGONAL MARKINGS/CROSSHATCHESDiagonal markings/crosshatches may be used inadvance of traffic islands, merging areas, lanetransitions or medians to warn traffic that the pavedarea is not intended for use as a traffic lane. Driversshould not use such areas as traffic lanes and shouldobserve the colour of the markings and keep to theappropriate side.STOP LINESStop lines may be painted on the highway’s surface atintersections to indicate to a driver the appropriatelocations to stop. The driver should stop so that thefront of the vehicle does not extend beyond the stoplines. Stop lines are always white. Stop signs do notshow where to stop.Chapter 3: Traffic SignalsCROSSWALK LINESCrosswalk linesare painted on thehighway surface toindicate the locationof a crosswalk. Whena stop is required andthere is a crosswalkwithout a stop line, a driver must stop his/her vehiclebefore any part of it extends into the crosswalk.Crosswalk lines are always white.INTERSECTION ARROWSIntersection arrows may be used in advance of anintersection to indicate which lane the driver must bein to make a specific manoeuver. Intersection arrowsare always white.

Chapter 3: Traffic SignsAlong with traffic signal lights, traffic signs provide forthe safe and efficient movement of traffic. There areseveral different types of traffic signs, includingregulatory, warning, construction and informationsigns. The shape and colour of each sign, as well as themessage printed on it, carry a message for the driver.For instance, red is used to indicate prohibitedmanoeuvres while green designates permittedmovements. Stop signs always have an eight-sidedshape, yield signs are always triangular in shape andspeed limit signs are always a vertical rectangle. Eachshape carries a distinctive meaning so that ifdarkness or falling rain or snow obscure the lettering,the safety message can still be identified.All Canadian provinces and territories use uniformtraffic signs. In most instances these are the same asthose used in the United States, making driving easierand safer for all. Familiarize yourself with them, so thatyou will be ready to recognize their message and beprepared to obey their direction.69SIGN SHAPES AND THEIR MEANINGSstopyieldslow movingvehiclewarningregulatoryschool zoneStop Sign - White Letters on Red Background Make a complete stop at the clearly marked stopline, or before entering the crosswalk, or in places

70where there are no stop linesor crosswalks, before enteringthe intersection. Look right and left and aheadand yield to traffic andpedestrians before proceeding.Yield Sign - Red on White Slow down when approachingthis sign. Look left and right and aheadand yield to traffic andpedestrians. Stop when necessary to avoidpedestrians or traffic.Vertical RectangleWhite with black or other coloured lettering;these regulatory signs state the law, such asspeed limits, parking regulations and turningand passing movements.Chapter 3: Traffic Signs This sign is used to indicate streets or highwaysupon which the traffic is allowed inone direction only. This sign indicates the street or highway isdivided by an island and approachingvehicles must keep to the right. This sign is on the right-hand side of theroadway facing traffic entering theroadway or ramp in the wrong direction.A white on red WRONG WAY sign may beplaced further down the prohibiteddirection.PLAYGROUND WARNING SIGNReduce speed and be prepared to make anemergency stop as children may run ontothe roadway.

Chapter 3: Traffic Signs71CONSTRUCTION SIGNSTraffic can expect to be delayed due to constructionrepair operations. Please obey the flagperson’s signal.Speed limits in construction zones must be obeyed atall times, even when workers and equipment are notworking. Construction hazards such as bumps, detours,fresh oil and loose gravel

Chapter 3: Traffic Signals PAVEMENT MARKINGS Pavement markings consist of an “X” and/or STOP line that may be painted on the pavement at the approach to highway/railway crossings. RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNS Railway crossing signs are found at all public highway/ railway crossings. A railway crossing sign means