NM Road Signs Practice flashcards
NM Road Signs Practice · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Regulatory sign color
- White background with black legend and border marks a regulation such as a speed limit or turn restriction. Red and white signs carry prohibitions like STOP and YIELD.
- STOP sign shape
- An octagon is used only for STOP signs, so the eight-sided shape is recognizable from any angle, including the back of the sign.
- YIELD sign shape
- A downward-pointing triangle is used only for YIELD signs; the inverted triangle is reserved for yield so drivers recognize it by shape alone.
- Warning sign color
- Yellow diamonds with black legends or symbols warn of a condition ahead rather than stating a rule; the sign is placed in advance of the hazard.
- School zone sign
- A fluorescent yellow-green pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing; it is the only pentagon-shaped sign, making it recognizable from the back.
- Construction zone color
- Orange is reserved for construction and maintenance zones; orange diamonds warn and orange rectangles direct traffic through or around the work area.
- Guide sign color
- Green guide signs give directions, exits, and destinations on freeways and major highways; white lettering is standard on green guide signs.
- Service sign color
- Blue signs indicate motorist services such as fuel, food, lodging, and hospitals; they are informational and do not impose a driving rule.
- Recreation sign color
- Brown signs indicate recreation and points of interest, such as parks and historic sites; they are guide signs, not warnings.
- Railroad advance sign
- A yellow circle with a black X and the letters R R warns of a railroad crossing ahead; the crossbuck marks the crossing itself.
- No-passing pennant
- A yellow pennant, a horizontal triangle, marks the start of a no-passing zone; passing is prohibited until the zone ends.
- Speed limit sign
- A white rectangle with black numerals and the words SPEED LIMIT sets the maximum lawful speed; it begins at the sign and stays in effect until changed.
- Advisory speed plaque
- A yellow plaque with black numerals gives a recommended speed for a curve or hazard; it is advisory, not a legal maximum.
- Flagger paddle
- A flagger holding a red paddle means stop; a slow paddle means proceed with caution. The flagger controls traffic flow through the work zone.
- Detour sign
- A DETOUR sign, often black on orange or black on white, marks an alternate route around a closure; follow it instead of the blocked route.
- School bus red lights
- When a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a median.
- Crossing guard signal
- A crossing guard's signal has the force of a traffic signal; stop when the guard signals and wait until pedestrians clear the crosswalk.
- Pedestrian warning sign
- A yellow diamond with a walking-person symbol warns of a crosswalk or pedestrian activity ahead; slow down and scan both sides of the road.
- Wrong Way sign
- A WRONG WAY sign warns that you are traveling against traffic on a one-way road; stop and turn around as soon as it is safe.
- Do Not Enter sign
- A DO NOT ENTER sign marks a one-way street or ramp against your direction; do not proceed past it, even if the road looks clear.
- One Way sign
- A white sign with a black arrow and the words ONE WAY marks a one-way street; traffic flows in the direction of the arrow.
- Lane-use control signal
- A red X over a lane means that lane is closed to you; a green arrow means the lane is open in the direction shown.
- Chevron sign
- A yellow or black rectangle with a large arrow marks the outside of a sharp curve and shows the direction of travel through the curve.
- Two-way traffic sign
- A yellow diamond with two arrows pointing in opposite directions warns of two-way traffic ahead, often after a one-way section.
- Slippery when wet sign
- A yellow diamond with a slippery-when-wet symbol warns of reduced traction; slow down before the hazard, not on it.
- Lane ends sign
- A yellow diamond with a lane-ends symbol warns that a lane is ending; merge early rather than waiting until the taper.
- Interstate route marker
- Interstate route markers are shield-shaped with red, white, and blue; even numbers run east-west and odd numbers run north-south.
- Mile marker
- Mile markers are small green signs with white numbers placed at intervals along a route to identify locations, especially for reporting emergencies.
- Exit Only sign
- A white sign with a black arrow and EXIT ONLY means that lane must exit; do not stay in it to continue past the exit.
- Work zone speed limit
- Work zone speed limits are posted on white signs with black numerals and are enforceable; fines for speeding in a work zone are often doubled.
- Channelizing devices
- Cones, drums, and barricades mark the travel path through a work zone; do not cross them, even if the lane beyond appears open.
- No parking sign
- A white sign with a red circle and slash over a P prohibits parking at that location; a green P with a time limit permits parking for that time.