Traffic Regulations and Road Signs: Priority, Prohibitions and Sign Families
The logic behind the rulebook
Bosnian traffic law is built on a simple hierarchy: a police officer's signals outrank traffic lights, traffic lights outrank road signs, and road signs outrank general rules. Most exam traps come from forgetting this order or from misreading a sign's shape and colour rather than its symbol.
Sign families you must recognise instantly
Triangular signs with a red border are warnings (danger ahead). Round signs with a red border are prohibitions or restrictions (no overtaking, speed limit, no entry). Round blue signs are mandatory instructions (keep right, minimum speed, compulsory direction). Rectangular or square blue/green signs give information, direction and lane guidance. Priority is shown by the yellow diamond (priority road) and by the inverted red-bordered triangle (give way). Memorise that the stop sign is the only octagon and demands a complete stop at the line, not merely slowing down.
Rules that generate exam questions
Drive on the right. Overtake on the left, except when the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is space. The general urban speed limit is 50 km/h unless signed otherwise; outside built-up areas it is 80 km/h, and on motorways 130 km/h. Safety distance must equal at least the distance travelled in two seconds. Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants, and children under 12 must use an appropriate restraint. Overtaking is forbidden at pedestrian crossings, at level crossings, on bends with restricted visibility, and where a solid centre line is present.
Worked example
You approach an unmarked crossroads where a police officer directs traffic while the light is green for your direction. The officer waves the cross traffic through. Rule of thumb: obey the officer, because his signal overrides both the light and any sign. If the officer were absent, you would apply the right-hand rule at the unmarked junction.
Traps to watch
Questions often swap 'give way' for 'stop', or place a speed limit sign inside a built-up area where 50 km/h already applies. Read whether the sign changes anything before answering.