Sign, signs, everywhere there’s signs…. We really have to pay attention to road signs. They convey a lot of vital information, direct us where we want to go, alert us to dangers and warn us of places we do NOT want to go. Every day social media, and the regular media report on incidents that could have been avoided if a driver had only read and understood what the signs he passed meant.
Just last week a driver hit a well known and well marked low bridge in Brandon MB. The highway is a well marked “No Truck” route, has 3 signs warning of the low bridge, giving the clearance in both imperial and metric, and has flashing warning lights on the bridge, but he claims he didn’t see either the signs or the flashing warning lights. Drivers also regularly miss the signs saying a scale is open and they carry on without stopping. Never a good idea, as you will be chased down, pulled over and brought back to the scale to explain yourself. You may also find yourself in night court, with a hefty fine to pay. In the US, you don’t get a ticket and get sent in your way, the fine must be paid before you are released.
One of the most ignored signs is the speed limit sign. Just as you can be fined for exceeding the speed limit, you can also be fined for driving too far below the speed limit. Under certain circumstances, you can also be ticketed for driving at the speed limit. Speed limit signs in Canada come in 2 colours: White and yellow. If the speed limit is on a white sign, that is the legal posted limit. A yellow sign is a suggested speed limit. Remember, the suggested speed limit is intended for passenger vehicles, under ideal circumstances. On an exit or entrance ramp speed limit of 30 km/h, you’re far better off going 20 or 25 km/h. Like going down a hill, no one every flipped a truck from going too slow.
Reading each sign as you go has another benefit. If you make a wrong turn, you can follow the signs back to your starting point, rather than drive around aimlessly, hoping to find your destination, and perhaps finding yourself in a situation that you have to back out of.
So always read every road sign you see. It’s almost a guarantee it will one day save you a lot of grief, and money.
