The signaling panels and their meaning | Vroomly, the French road signaling panels of the French Highway Code

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Red barred blue panel

Round panels circulated by red

Signaling panels and significance

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Road traffic signs are essential elements to inform motorists of various indications, such as the directions to follow, the obligations to be complied with, the potential dangers, and much more. In this complete guide, we will explore in detail the different types of road traffic signs, their meaning and their regulation, allowing you to better understand their usefulness on the road and guarantee a safe driving.

�� What are the different types of traffic signs ?
�� What are the indication signaling panels ?
⚠️ What are the danger traffic signs ?
�� What are the ban signaling panels ?
�� What are the obligation signaling panels ?
�� What are the steering traffic signs ?
�� When do the traffic signs take effect ?

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�� What are the different types of traffic signs ?

road signs

Knowing the road traffic signs well and their meaning is essential to obtain your highway code and drive a car safely. The panels are indeed there to inform you on the road (Services, itinerary, etc.), prevent you from a danger or prohibit drivers something.

But these signaling panels are naturally very numerous. To fully understand the message that a panel must convey, they are therefore essentially distinguished by their form, each corresponding to a type of indication.

However, it is also necessary to distinguish the panels in their color. A fund white is the basic color, but there are also panels blue And green. Blue traffic signs are used on the highway, greens on green poles, defined by the Ministry of Transport. But a blue background can also be used for indication or obligation panels.

Finally, there are traffic signs yellow. These always have a character temporary. They can therefore be used for example in the case of work or a site on the road, a redirection, etc.

Let’s go back in detail on the meaning of the traffic signs, for good traffic code training !

What are the 5 large families of road traffic signs ?

Generally, we admit that you can classify the road signs in 5 large families depending on their shape, Even if these can vary from one referent to another. Here is the typology of the different traffic signs:

The panels ofindication : these are square panels. They often have a blue background or a white background with a blue border. They can indicate services, installations, areas, etc.
The panels of hazard : these are the triangular traffic signs.
The panels ofprohibition : these are the round panels with a white background and a red border. They can also have a red background, such as the prohibited meaning. The end of the prohibition is indicated by a round white panel with white background.
The panels ofobligation : these are also round panels, with blue background this time. The end of the obligation is an identical panel barred in red.
The panels of direction : these are arrow -shaped panels, which follow a color code.

Some typologies replace the family of steering panels with that of intersection and priority panels.

�� What are the indication signaling panels ?

signaling signs indication

THE indication signaling panels are road signs designed to inform drivers about installations, services, routes or specific areas on the road. Their objective is to provide clear and precise indications to motorists in order to guide them and to facilitate their navigation on the public highway. These panels are distinguished by their shape square or rectangular and often have a blue or white background with a blue border. They can also include pictograms, symbols or text to transmit information visually and concise. Indication panels may indicate various information such as directions to specific places, services available nearby (service stations, hospitals, restaurants, etc.), tourist attractions, Repo areass, the parking areas, THE Alternative routes, the remaining distances to reach a destination, and much more. It is important to understand the meaning of the pictograms and symbols used on the indication panels in order to be able to correctly interpret the information they transmit. For example, a pictogram representing a fork and a knife can indicate the presence of a nearby restaurant, while a symbol representing a gas station can point out the presence of a service station in the surroundings. The indication panels contribute to road safety by helping drivers to make informed decisions, plan their route and anticipate changes on the road. They play an essential role in facilitating the circulation and navigation of drivers, in particular in urban areas or places where signaling is complex.

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⚠️ What are the danger traffic signs ?

Danger Signaling Signs priority

THE danger signaling panels are road signs specially designed to warn drivers of potential dangers on the road. Their objective is to report dangerous situations or obstacles that could compromise the safety of drivers and other road users. These panels are distinguished by their triangular shape and are generally equipped with a red background with pictograms, symbols or text to transmit the message of danger in a clear and concise manner. They are often placed as an increased risk approaching, in order to allow drivers to take appropriate measures to avoid potential dangers. Danger signaling panels can indicate a variety of dangers such as dangerous turns, frequent passages of wild animals, narrowing of the road, steep slopes, slippery roads, falling stones, work in progress, to come to come to come, and many more. It is essential to recognize quickly and to understand the meaning of the pictograms and symbols used on danger traffic signs. This allows drivers to react appropriately by adapting their speed, remaining vigilant and taking the necessary precautions to cross dangerous areas.

�� What are the ban signaling panels ?

Signaling panels prohibition

THE Prohibition signaling panels are road signs that indicate drivers the actions or behaviors that are strictly prohibited in a certain area or in particular circumstances. Their objective is to regulate traffic and guarantee security on public roads by avoiding dangerous or disruptive behavior. These panels are distinguished by their round shape and are generally equipped with a White background with pictograms, symbols or text to transmit the prohibition message in a clear and understandable way. They are often placed in strategic places where compliance with the prohibition is crucial to ensure the safety of road users. The prohibition signaling panels may indicate a variety of prohibitions such as the prohibition to turn left or right, the prohibition to turn around, the prohibition to park, the prohibition of exceeding, the Prohibition of access to heavy vehicles, the prohibition of smoking, the prohibition to use the Mobile phone while driving, and many others. It is crucial to respect the prohibition signaling panels, as their non-compliance can cause legal consequences, fines or even accidents. These panels play an essential role in maintaining order and road safety, helping drivers understand the restrictions and limitations that apply to certain specific areas or situations.

�� What are the obligation signaling panels ?

Obligation panels

THE obligation signaling panels are road signs that indicate the drivers the actions or behaviors that are compulsory in a certain area or in particular circumstances. Their objective is to regulate traffic and guarantee security on public roads by imposing specific rules on drivers. These panels are distinguished by their round shape and are generally equipped with a blue background with pictograms, symbols or text to transmit the obligation message in a clear and understandable manner. They are often placed in strategic places where compliance with the obligation is crucial to ensure the safety of road users. The obligation signaling panels may indicate a variety of obligations such as the obligation to follow a specific route, the obligation to comply with a minimum speed, the obligation to turn in a specific direction, the obligation to yield the Passage to certain road users, the obligation to wear a seat belt, the obligation to use cross -lights, etc. It is crucial to respect the obligation signaling signs, as their non-compliance can cause legal consequences, fines or even accidents. These panels play an essential role in maintaining order and road safety, clearly indicating compulsory behavior to drivers.

�� What are the steering traffic signs ?

Direction signaling panels

THE Direction signs are road panels used to guide drivers to a specific destination or to indicate the different ways to follow to achieve certain destinations. Their objective is to guide drivers and facilitate road navigation, providing clear and concise information on the directions to be taken. These panels are in different forms, including arrow -shaped panels or rectangular panels, and are generally equipped with pictograms, symbols or texts indicating the names of cities, road numbers or specific destinations. They are often placed at intersections, motorway exchangers and strategic points where drivers must make decisions according to their destination. The steering signaling panels follow a color code to facilitate understanding. Here are some examples :

Blue : used to indicate a route passing through the highway;
Green : used to indicate a main route passing through major cities;
White : used to indicate a secondary route or nearby cities;
YELLOW : used to indicate a temporary route.

These panels are essential to help drivers plan their routes, make the right decisions and follow the appropriate indications to reach their destination. They contribute to the fluidity of traffic and the prevention of navigation errors. It is important to recognize quickly and to understand the meaning of the pictograms and symbols used on the steering traffic signs. This allows drivers to follow the recommended routes and avoid unnecessary detours or navigation errors. The steering signs are complementary to other types of road panels such as indication panels and intersection panels. They play a crucial role in organizing traffic and road safety by guiding drivers in a clear and effective way.

�� When do the traffic signs take effect ?

Signaling panel effect

All traffic signs do not take effect at the same time. The traffic signs indicating a danger take effect:

In agglomeration, 50 meters further ;
Excluding agglomeration, 150 meters.

Speed limitations and other prohibitions immediately take effect. For all panels, a different effect can be made: in this case, it is indicated on a small rectangular panonceau under the main panel.

Now that you know the different types of road traffic signs, their service and regulation, you are better prepared for safe and responsible driving. Respecting the traffic signs is essential for your safety and that of others on the road. Master the road codes by including traffic signs and adopt responsible driving.

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Red barred blue panel

Classification of French road signaling panels

The French road signaling of the Highway Code is classified according to the shape of the panel

danger panels

Triangular red strip panels

The triangular signs indicate an upcoming danger, and ask slow down systematically.
>>> Danger panels

Temporary danger panels (placed for work or accidents) are on yellow background
>>> Work panels

Round panels circulated by red
End of panels

Round panels circulated by red indicate a ban, and are valid until the end of a ban (round panels on a white background barred in black).
>>> Prohibition panels

Temporary ban panels (placed for work or accident causes) are placed on removable support
>>> Work panels

Round blue panels circulated by white
D panels End of panels

The round -shaped panels on a blue background and circulated by white indicate an obligation (the indication must be followed), until the end of the obligation (panel of the same type barred in red).
>>> Obligation panels

Passing priority panels (various forms)
end of priority panels Stop panels

Priority panels are various form panels (diamond, hexagonal, triangular. ) indicating the order of priority of transition to a crossing (punctual priority) or on a road until indication contrary.
>>> Priority panels

parking panels

Round -shaped parking panels circled in red

The parking panels regulate stopping and parking and are generally valid until the next intersection, sometimes a whole area is affected by signaling.
>>> Parking panels

D panels