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Priority signs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Priority traffic signs indicate the order in which vehicles shall pass intersection points. Vehicles often come into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians because their intended courses of travel intersect, and thus interfere with each other's routes. The general principle that establishes who has the right to go first is called "right of way" or "priority". It establishes who has the right to use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other does so. The vehicle that does not need to wait is said to "have the right of way" or to "have priority."

Types of sign

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A Give way sign in Hong Kong in both English and Traditional Chinese
A common priority over oncoming traffic sign which has priority over vehicles from the opposite direction (rectangular shape)
A common priority road sign before the oncoming traffic which gives way (circular shape)
A common priority road sign before the oncoming traffic which gives way (rectangular shape)

A Give way sign, also known as a yield sign in some countries, informs the driver that they must give way to vehicles on the major road. Under the Vienna Convention, the standard sign shall be a white or yellow inverted triangle with a red border.[1] This originates in Denmark, with the red and white coming from the Danish flag.[2] In some countries, the words Give Way or equivalent may be included with the sign. These signs are usually accompanied by a give way marking, normally one or multiple dashed lines or shark teeth across the carriageway.

Priority signs according to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals
Give Way Inverted equilateral triangle White or yellow Red 0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small) None
Stop Octagon Red White 0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small) "STOP" written in white
Circular White or yellow Red 0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small) "STOP" written in black or dark blue inside red inverted triangle
Priority road Diamond White Black 0.5 m (large), 0.35 m (small) Yellow or orange square
End of priority road Diamond White Black 0.5 m (large), 0.35 m (small) Yellow or orange square with black or grey diagonal lines crossing the sign
Priority for oncoming traffic Circular White or yellow Red Unspecified Black arrow indicating direction with priority, red arrow indicating direction without
Priority over oncoming traffic Rectangle Blue None Unspecified White arrow indicating direction with priority, red arrow indicating direction without

Alternative priority systems

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Road Traffic and Road Signs and Signals Agreements and Conventions | UNECE". unece.org. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  2. ^ Bekendtgørelse om Hovedfærdselsaarer, 27. marts 1937, Denmark