Road Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
Reading the road before you move
Bermuda's signs and markings follow international (largely UK-style) conventions, but the island adds its own flavour: narrow lanes, roundabouts, and left-hand traffic. Learn signs by shape and colour first, because that recognition survives poor light and rain. Circles give orders (red border means prohibition, blue means mandatory direction). Triangles warn. Rectangles inform. Octagons mean stop and inverted triangles mean give way.
Signals matter more than most riders expect. A flashing amber at a pelican crossing means give way to pedestrians already on the crossing but proceed if it is clear. A green light is a permission, not a guarantee - never enter a junction you cannot clear. Police or authorised officer signals override lights, signs, and markings, and questions love testing that hierarchy.
Markings carry legal weight. A solid white centre line means no crossing; broken lines permit crossing when safe. Double yellow lines along the kerb prohibit parking, while single yellow restricts parking during posted times. Box junctions marked with yellow cross-hatching must not be entered unless your exit is clear, with a limited exception for turning right. Stop lines are solid; give-way lines are broken.
Traps to watch
- Confusing 'no entry' (red circle with white bar) with 'no vehicles'.
- Assuming a green light protects you from oncoming traffic when turning across it.
- Treating a give-way line as a stop line - you must stop only if required, but you must always be ready to.
- Forgetting that temporary signs at roadworks override permanent ones.
Rule of thumb
Ask three questions at every junction: What shape and colour is the sign? What does the marking under my wheels require? Who has priority if signals fail or an officer is directing?