(author: Lydia Quinn)
Wherever we drive, whenever we drive, we always see signs pointing out landmarks, telling us how far we have to go to reach a destination or letting us know of something coming up on the road. The most important signs and warnings we will see are ones that warn us of problems ahead. Let's review what I like to call, "the signs that save lives".
Barricade Lights
Some of the most important signs are not actual signs at all, but the lights that we see on top of barricades. Barricade lights let us know there is road construction or even road damage ahead. When we see barricade lights, we know to slow down and be aware of what's coming ahead.
Bends & Guard Rails
Signs that warn us of bends coming ahead are extremely important, if you don't heed their warnings you could end up flying off the road or even worse, off a cliff. For dangerous bends, you'll often find guard rails, it's a good idea to pay more attention in areas where you find guard rails. Whether you're in an area with lots of hills and mountains or whether the guard rails are protecting you from going into a small creek or river, guard rails and the signs that warn us of bendy roads save many lives just with their existence.
Speed Limit Signs
So many people ignore speed limit signs, but we must remember they are there for a reason. Whether to keep a neighborhood with children, a park or schools safer, to keep noise down in a residential area, to save gas on the highway or to keep you driving at a safe speed on the interstate, speed limits and the signs notifying you of them are crucial to the safety of the road.
Stop Signs
Stop signs may seem like a nuisance in some areas, even unnecessary, but they are never put up for no reason. Always pay attention to stop signs, never run one even if it looks like no one else is around.
Railroad Crossing Signs
Railroad crossings are dangerous places. In both populated and rural areas, there are railroad crossings in most cities, towns and out in the country. It's important to remember that inside of your car, even without music on, you are shielded from many sounds, including the sound of oncoming trains. You must always pay attention to railroad crossing signs and never, ever think that you can make it across in time just because the train looks far away. Looks can be deceiving, especially during certain times of the day like dawn or dusk, at night or when there is fog. When the battle is between a train and a car, the train always wins.
Wrong Way Signs
Every year there are thousands of drivers who ignore wrong way signs and very often end up taking the lives of innocent people driving the right way. Wrong way drivers are some of the most dangerous kind, accounting for a disproportionate amount of highway deaths compared to typical traffic and freeway accidents.
Most wrong way drivers are drunk, but when driving at night, in a storm or in fog, it's possible for anyone to become disoriented and take the wrong onramp to the freeway. This is why they have wrong way signs. Large and red with white lettering, these signs are extremely important to pay attention to.
No matter how young or old, no matter how long you've been driving, traffic signs are there to keep you and your fellow drivers safe. So pay attention to these signs that truly do save lives.
