Thousands of cars ply the road on a daily basis and in relation to that, only very few accidents occur. This is thanks to the road signs at several points of the road that regulate traffic.
If there were no traffic road signs, the number of accidents on the road would quadruple in a minute. Most accidents occur because some road users don’t pay attention to road signs.
One of these road signs used for regulation is the red and white triangular sign at intersections. What does it mean exactly?
A red and white triangular sign at an intersection means YIELD. It is a sign directing road users about to cross the intersection to yield to the traffic on the major road; that is, they should slow down and give way to any road user on the major road.
What are Road Signs?
For everything you use, there are usually manuals on how to use them to get the most out of them, and not abuse them. This is what a road sign means to road users on the road.
Road signs are signs that are either mounted on poles, placed on the ground, painted on the ground, or hung on boards to give instructions, information, or caution to road users.
They are the signs that tell the road user exactly what to do on the road at any given time. If a road user doesn’t pay attention to the sign on the road, there is usually the danger of calamity.
This is why when traffic patrol officers find drivers or any road user who doesn’t obey road signs, they are arrested and fined for misdemeanors.
Without road signs, the number of accidents that would be recorded daily would skyrocket, as nothing is on the road to tell road users what to do when to drive, where to turn, and where to avoid.
Benefits of Road Signs
There are too many benefits of road signs, so much so that just one article cannot list and explain them all. However, here are some of the major benefits of road signs to road users:
1. Safe Use of the Road
Road signs provide absolute safety to all the users on the road, this is because it gives a sense of understanding about what to do and what not to do to every single one of the road users.
Once you understand how to use something, there won’t be any danger of abuse, and in the absence of abuse, there is safety. You will be able to signal properly when making a turn or changing lanes.
2. Road Signs Tell When There is a Change in Condition
Whenever there is a temporal change in the condition of the road, there are road signs for this very purpose that indicates to the road users what has happened, and what next to do.
3. It Assists the Proper Flow of Traffic
When there are road signs to help users understand the flow of traffic, there will be a lot less traffic congestion.
Many times, it is people who do not understand how to read the signs of the road that cause problems for other drivers on the road and then disrupt the flow of traffic.
4. It Allows People to Cross the Road Safely
With road signs, people can cross the road safely, and this has reduced the number of accidents that can be avoided.
Road signs are telling you where to cross the road, and where you mustn’t cross.
5. Road Signs Provide Uniform Rules to all Drivers
It is also another way for drivers to know that every single one of them is equal on the road. All drivers obey the same road signs, and there are no exemptions in any case. This uniform rule has helped regulate road use over the years.
6. Road Signs Help Everyone Become Better Road Users
The more you pay attention to and obey the rules of traffic, and what road signs say, the better you become like a road user.
A Red and White Triangular Sign at an Intersection Means?
YIELD. When you see a red and white sign at an intersection, it means you should slow down and give the right-of-way to the traffic or road user on the major road.
It means that priority is given to users of the major road you are about to enter. When you see this sign, you must slow down, watch and give way where necessary, before driving through the intersection.
If you as a driver, are about to drive into the new road and crash into one of the cars on the major road, all the fault and penalty will be upon you, as it simply means you did not obey the red and white triangular sign at the intersection.
Therefore, anytime you see the red and white triangular sign, just know that you’re meant to slow down, yield, and give way to the traffic on the major road.
Pros of a Red and White Triangular Sign at an Intersection
There are several benefits of the red and white triangular sign at an Intersection:
- Alerts the Drivers: The sign alerts the driver that it is time to slow down and watch what is going on on the major road before moving.
- Notice to Yield: It also acts as a notice to the drivers to give way, that is, to yield the right-of-way to the drivers on the major road.
- Protection from Road Accidents: As a result of the big, noticeable, and colorful sign, drivers know what to do, and they are protected from needless road accidents.
What are the Best Ways to Drive at an Intersection?
There are several ways and tips given to drivers, used to drive at an Intersection.
Here are some of the best ways to drive at an intersection:
- Drive with Utmost Care: Do not use your acceleration for speed. Be very careful when you approach an Intersection, as you want to enter into a major road from a minor one.
- Do not Speed: Whatever you do, ensure you do not drive at speed when you drive at an intersection.
- Use your Indicators: Always use your indicators when you are driving at an Intersection.
- Stay Several Distances Away from the Edge of the Major Road: Keep your distance and ensure where you have stopped for the traffic is a very safe area.
Final Thoughts
YIELD! Whenever you see a red and white triangular sign at an intersection, just know that you are meant to slow down and yield to the traffic on the major road.
Think about giving the ‘right-of-way’ to the drivers and users on the major road as they are considered the users of priority, for they are the ones on the fast, straight road.