Drivers face many distractions while trying to navigate toward their destinations, which is why traffic signs help them find their way. The most effective signs are the ones that are visible any time of day or night, with appropriate colors, shapes and messages. Here are reasons why traffic signs reduce accidents by aiding drivers to be more confident on where they’re going.
Not all cars or drivers have access to GPS, so many drivers still need to rely on maps, their own geographical knowledge and traffic signs. If you’ve ever been lost on an unfamiliar road, then you know how frustrating your situation can be, especially if you’re low on gas. Even thinking about the risk of getting stranded in an unknown environment can be very stressful. Traffic signs help ease stress and tension while driving.
Suppose you just realize you’ve been going the wrong way for ten miles and suddenly try to make a quick u-turn without checking to make sure it’s safe. Such a maneuver can cause an accident. But you’d be less likely to confront that problem in the first place if you paid attention to road signs.
Another way that signs boost driver confidence is when they warn drivers of dangers or detours ahead. Sometimes just one sign can help a driver understand where he or she is headed and whether or not there’s risk involved. Signs can alert drivers to be conscious of falling rocks and mudslides along mountain highways. They can also warn drivers of slippery pavement during the rain and snow season.
The more the driver knows what to expect, the more the driver can take extra safety precautions. School signs are particularly helpful on roads with crosswalks for children ahead, which can influence drivers to lower their speed. Over 20,000 Americans are killed every year in avoidable traffic deaths, so it helps to make life as easy as possible for drivers to find their way to or through your area.
Effective traffic signs must do more than attempt to control traffic. Assuming that a sign message alone will prevent accidents is naive. A sign must communicate by informing drivers about relevant information. Many drivers actually ignore signs due to being constantly bombarded with marketing slogans. In order to reach these individuals you need signs that stand out with unique shapes and colors that make messages easy to absorb.
Signs can become distractions and may even cause accidents if they are hard to read from far away. Using standard shapes and colors for caution and one way signs is a way to communicate life-saving messages quickly to drivers. The quicker they learn from a distance what to expect, the less chance they’ll panic and make a reckless move. Appropriate placement of signage is also crucial because drivers may ignore poorly placed stop signs where it appears there’s no reason to stop.
Yellow is the universal color for caution, while red is widely associated with more immediate danger, which is why stop signs and lights are red. Drivers recognize yellow or gold diamond-shaped signs from a distance, which prepares them to read the sign as they approach it to digest the message. Using images that depict action can help communicate the message from far away.
Drivers rely on traffic signs, especially if they lack modern geolocation technology. Posting signs that inform drivers about safety and directions helps reduce stress, preventing needless accidents. Contact us here at Zumar for a free quote and to learn more about how we can make traffic in your neighborhood safer.