Something to be on the lookout for, the Side Road sign is here to alert you about an upcoming road up ahead that intersects the main road from the side. So, do approach with caution.
The Side Road sign could be especially handy in preparing you for a potential merge or turn. And, for you to keep an eye out for any other traffic moving in and out of these side roads.
What Does The Side Road Sign Mean?
Quite simply, the Side Road sign warns you and other drivers that a side road is approaching. This is typically intersecting from either the left or the right. The sign itself is made to ensure that you’re aware that vehicles might be entering and crossing their path from that side. It’s especially helpful in places where there’s limited visibility or high traffic volume.
Moreover, the Side Road sign is a cautionary warning that you should adjust your car’s speed. Then, check for merging or turning traffic. Furthermore, being ready for potential slowdowns and stops. It’s important to bear in mind that it doesn’t dictate the right of way. But, it’s there to let you know to be careful with other vehicles potentially entering or exiting the road.
What Does It Look Like?
The Side Road sign has a very distinctive design that you should be able to spot quite easily. It can be seen as a yellow diamond-shaped sign with a black ‘T’-shaped or ‘L’-shaped symbol in the center. The vertical line running down the middle of the sign represents the main road. Meanwhile, the other horizontal line indicates the side of the road that it’s merging or intersecting with.
Now, if the road intersects from the right, the horizontal line appears on the right side of that vertical line. Similarly, if the side road intersects the main road from the left, then the line will appear on the left side. With its bright yellow background and simple black symbols… It should make the Side Road sign very legible and easily visible, even if you look from far away.
Where Is The Side Road Sign Found?
Naturally, you’ll find the Side Road sign in places where an additional side road intersects or merges with the main road, at a perpendicular or near-perpendicular angle. Among the most common places where you’ll find the Side Road sign include:
- Rural Roads – You’ll usually find these signs on rural roads, especially where it is very common to find smaller side roads intersecting or merging with the main road. The latter also includes large highways, warning you about potential cross-traffic.
- Residential Areas – Suburban zones or residential areas are another common place where you would find it. It’s typical in neighborhoods where many small streets will then connect to the main road, warning you about intersecting traffic.
- Highways – You’ll particularly find a lot of these signs on highways with entry and exit ramps. This is where it alerts you and other drivers about lanes or roads that merge and intersect onto the highway.
What To Do
When you see a Side Road sign, here are some things that you should do to ensure that you can proceed to continue driving safely:
- First and foremost, make sure that you reduce your speed when approaching the sign and stay on the alert. This is important if the side road or main road itself has limited visibility. On top of that, remember to be prepared for other vehicles that could be merging or turning into your road.
- It’s also a good idea to continually check and keep an eye out on the side road ahead for other vehicles. This also includes cars, bikes, or pedestrians entering the main road. If need be, you’d have to be ready to yield the right of way, more so if there are no other traffic control devices, like stop signs or traffic lights.
- Adding to this, if you see another vehicle merging from the side road, you will have to yield the right of way, allow them to enter, and then merge the main road safely. Only then can you proceed safely.
- If you need to overtake other cars when near the Side Road sign, it is best to be extra cautious. Ideally, you should avoid overtaking other vehicles when you’re approaching or are passing by a side road, as cross-traffic might be entering or leaving the main road.
What To (Not) Do
While the rules and etiquette around the Side Road sign ought to be rather straightforward, I have seen countless mistakes being repeated by negligent or ignorant drivers. Here are some of the more common mistakes that you should avoid making:
- The number #1 most common mistake that many folks repeat when approaching a Side Road sign is failing to slow down and reduce their speed as they approach a side road. This is made on the assumption that the side road ahead is clear. However, especially with limited visibility, other vehicles might unexpectedly appear.
- Similarly, I’ve also witnessed drivers who ignore the merging traffic and don’t anticipate that there are vehicles attempting to enter the main road from the side. This could lead to serious collisions if the merging vehicle isn’t noticed in time for you to safely slow down and yield the right of way.
- Another common mistake made is when folks attempt to overtake other vehicles on the main road, either near the side road or when you’re approaching the sign. As we mentioned earlier, overtaking near a side road is dangerous as merging or turning vehicles might be there to block your path, or cause sudden stops.