Maine Road Signs Practice flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Regulatory sign color

White rectangle with black legend. These signs state laws and rules drivers must obey, such as speed limits, turn restrictions, and lane use.

Speed limit sign

White regulatory sign with black numerals showing the maximum lawful speed in miles per hour. Where no sign is posted, Maine default limits apply.

No passing zone pennant

Yellow pennant-shaped sign, the only pennant in the U.S. system, placed on the left side of the road to mark the start of a no-passing zone.

One-way sign

White rectangular sign with a black arrow and the words ONE WAY. It indicates traffic may travel only in the direction of the arrow.

Warning sign color and shape

Yellow diamond with black symbol or legend. It alerts drivers to a condition ahead, such as a curve, intersection, or road hazard.

Advisory speed plate

Small yellow plate mounted below a warning sign showing the recommended safe speed through a curve or other hazard. It is not the legal speed limit.

Merge sign

Yellow diamond showing two arrows converging. It warns that traffic from another lane or ramp will join your lane ahead.

Slippery when wet

Yellow diamond warning sign with a skidding-car symbol. It indicates the pavement may lose traction when wet, so reduce speed.

Work zone sign color

Orange. Orange signs, drums, and cones mark construction and maintenance zones and warn of changed traffic patterns ahead.

Flagger paddle

A STOP/SLOW paddle held by a flagger in a work zone. It has the same authority as a stop sign and drivers must obey it.

Channelizing devices

Cones, drums, tubular markers, and barricades used to guide traffic through or around a work zone. They separate traffic from workers and hazards.

Work zone speed limit

Posted orange speed limit sign in a construction zone. It is enforceable, and fines are commonly doubled when workers are present.

School advance sign

Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon showing walking children. The pentagon shape is reserved for school zones and school crossings.

Crossing guard authority

A guard holding a stop paddle may stop traffic. Drivers must stop and stay stopped until the guard and all children have cleared the roadway.

Shared-lane marking

White bicycle-and-chevron symbol painted in a travel lane. It shows bicyclists may use the full lane and drivers should share the lane.

Pedestrian signal hand

A raised hand means do not begin crossing. A flashing hand means finish crossing but do not start; a walking person means proceed.

Crossbuck sign

White X-shaped sign with black letters reading RAILROAD CROSSING. It marks the crossing, and drivers must yield to approaching trains.

Multiple track plate

Number plate below a crossbuck, such as 2 TRACKS. It warns that more than one track is present, so a second train may follow.

Railroad advance warning

Yellow circular sign with a black X and R R, placed ahead of a crossing with a distance plate. It warns drivers to prepare to stop.

Flashing red lights at crossing

Signals at a railroad crossing mean stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and gates are fully raised. Never drive around a gate.

Interstate shield

Red, white, and blue shield with the word INTERSTATE and a route number. Even numbers run east-west; odd numbers run north-south.

Three-digit interstate

A three-digit interstate number beginning with an even digit is a loop or bypass; beginning with an odd digit is a spur into a city.

Service signs

Blue signs with white symbols for gas, food, lodging, hospital, and phone. Recreational and cultural signs are brown with white legends.

Milepost marker

Small green sign with a white number placed at one-mile intervals along a route. It helps drivers report their location in an emergency.

Octagon shape

The octagon is used only for STOP signs. No other sign in the U.S. system uses this eight-sided shape.

Inverted triangle

The inverted triangle shape is used only for YIELD signs. Drivers slow down and stop only if necessary to give right-of-way.

Round warning sign

The round shape is used only for railroad advance warning signs. A yellow circle with a black X and R R warns of a crossing ahead.

Red circle and slash

A red circle with a diagonal slash over a black symbol means the action is prohibited. The same symbol without the slash is permitted or required.

Green guide signs

Green signs with white legends give route, destination, exit, and distance information on highways and interstates.

Brown recreational signs

Brown signs with white legends mark parks, historical sites, and recreational areas. They are guide signs, not warnings or regulations.

Chevron alignment sign

Large black-on-yellow arrow sign placed on the outside of a sharp curve to guide drivers through the change in alignment.

Yield sign meaning

Red-and-white inverted triangle requiring drivers to slow and give right-of-way. Stop only if necessary to avoid conflict with cross traffic.