(US) Why is the 'no passing zone' pennant yellow?

[NE2]

We should all know that a white rectangle is regulatory and a yellow diamond is warning. But why is the 'no passing zone' pennant yellow? Does it have no regulatory meaning without an associated double-yellow centerline or white 'do not pass' sign?

[mgk920]

Likely so that drivers can see it.  There are no other signs in the MUTCD that look anything like it, so it is easy to recognize.

Mike

[Mergingtraffic]

Plus the sign "points" back to the right side of the road too.

[J N Winkler]

We should all know that a white rectangle is regulatory and a yellow diamond is warning. But why is the 'no passing zone' pennant yellow? Does it have no regulatory meaning without an associated double-yellow centerline or white 'do not pass' sign?

It depends on the state but, as a general rule, the striping configuration carries the regulatory meaning.  No-passing-zone pennants do not have to be used to indicate all no-passing zones, and many states normally post them only for no-passing zones which are created by summit curves (intersection no-passing zones are indicated by striping but not upright signs).  Regulatory "DO NOT PASS" and "PASS WITH CARE" can be used, but are optional.  In California some years ago (2003, I think), the CTCDC reclassified these signs as warning and therefore they retain the rectangular format but have yellow background.

I incline to agree that the pennant (which was introduced nationally in the 1971 MUTCD, IIRC) was chosen for recognition by shape at a distance, since its purpose is to suppress the initiation of unsafe passing maneuvers while the overtaking driver is still in a dilemma zone which, for small speed differentials between overtaker and overtaken, lies a considerable distance from the sign.

[agentsteel53]

"PASS WITH CARE" is indeed yellow here.

that is one sign whose legend needs to be reworded, as the sign means "cross into oncoming traffic to pass", not that the lane to your left is a dedicated passing lane for your direction, which would be the general level of safety I'd associate with the words "WITH CARE".  "PASS AT YOUR OWN RISK", perhaps?  

Or, on highway 395 between Kramer's Junction and Adelanto, I'd go with "612 PEOPLE KILLED SO FAR THIS YEAR ATTEMPTING TO PASS THAT DAMNED RV WHICH IS DOING 39 IN A 65.  YOU'RE PROBABLY GONNA BE #613, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THIS SIGN SAYS, SO FUCK IT."

[deathtopumpkins]

The National Park Service recently replaced a number of DO NOT PASS and PASS WITH CARE signs on the colonial parkway with yellow ones, so is that becoming a national standard, or is this just a fluke? It looks awful to me, as they're mixed in with existing white ones, which are what I am used to seeing. Not that it matters to the average motorist.

[J N Winkler]

Deathtopumpkins--it is possible FHWA bought CTCDC's argument and reclassified these signs as warning in the 2009 MUTCD.  All I know is that the policy change in California dates from the early noughties and was accompanied by issue of new specs for these signs.

[SSOWorld]

A driver itching to pass will not likely see around the vehicle to find the sign if it were on the right.  Hence the left side mounting.  I tend to agree with the arrow pointing to the start spot of prohibited passing.

I've seen a couple places on local roads where the centerline is double yellow yet there are NPZ signs still posted (someone forgot to take them down)

[Alps]

Pass with care is a regulatory message. There's no warning there; it's telling you what you can now do, not what you can no longer do. It should not be yellow. Do not pass is both regulatory and warning - the warning being to get back over on your side. That message is of an urgent nature, hence yellow beats white.

[agentsteel53]

Pass with care is a regulatory message. There's no warning there; it's telling you what you can now do, not what you can no longer do.

it is about the only regulatory message I can think of that is optional.  This in contrast with, say, KEEP TO RIGHT, which is quite mandatory, as is SPEED LIMIT 55. 

but you'll never get a ticket for not passing (with care, or otherwise)

[DRMan]

In Vermont, they use "UNSAFE TO PASS" signs that are black text on white rectangles (at least that's what they looked like last time I was in VT).

Do those signs carry any different meaning than "DO NOT PASS"?  Are they used elsewhere?

[ctsignguy]

Connecticut used the following signs over the years

This is the model they still use...not as common as they used to be, but still in reasonably common use.  The yellow "pass card" (necktie) beneath the sign signals to the motorist the start of passing/no passing zones



Here are the three standard pass cards (right three signs)


And this style (NO PASSING) passed out of use in the 1980s...(courtesy of the Mike Summa collection)

[Scott5114]

Oklahoma uses no signs at all. Just the stripes.

[Bickendan]

Neither does Oregon, save for the white rectangle 'Do Not Pass' signs.

[roadfro]

Deathtopumpkins--it is possible FHWA bought CTCDC's argument and reclassified these signs as warning in the 2009 MUTCD.  All I know is that the policy change in California dates from the early noughties and was accompanied by issue of new specs for these signs.

The 2009 MUTCD retains the Do Not Pass and Pass With Care as regulatory black on white (R4-1 and R4-2, respectively).

Pass with care is a regulatory message. There's no warning there; it's telling you what you can now do, not what you can no longer do. It should not be yellow. Do not pass is both regulatory and warning - the warning being to get back over on your side. That message is of an urgent nature, hence yellow beats white.

I'd agree that Do Not Pass is both regulatory and warning. However, regulatory trumps warning every time, including this case. The pennant works for the warning here.

This is the model [Connecticut] still use...not as common as they used to be, but still in reasonably common use.  The yellow "pass card" (necktie) beneath the sign signals to the motorist the start of passing/no passing zones

Those don't appear to be signs intended for the motorist, but rather something for road maintenance workers to know the point at which the centerline detail changes for striping operations. Especially helpful on mill & fill paving operations that are quick jobs where a surveyed pilot line is not be used for striping purposes.

Nevada DOT uses similar objects in some areas of two-lane highway. NDOT's version is usually black on white (I've also seen yellow on black), posted at similar height to a standard Nevada milepost paddle, and frequently found on the wrong side of the road from the direction of travel.

[Quillz]

Likely so that drivers can see it.  There are no other signs in the MUTCD that look anything like it, so it is easy to recognize.

Mike

Isn't the sideways triangle a unique shape already, though? It seems a "no passing zone" that was black on white in the same shape will still be distinctive.

[RoadWarrior56]

I had read an article years ago that Missouri had used a yellow solid stripe down the middle of the lane back in the 40's and maybe the 50's instead of next to the skip white (the centerline was always white before 1971) for a no-passing zone.  That is way before my time, so I have never seen it in the field or even a photograph.

[J N Winkler]

It sounds like Missouri may have had a variant of the basic three-line striping system.  Before about 1961 (and, to a lesser extent, between 1961 and 1971) there was considerable variation from state to state in how passing zones were striped, with some states using a two-line system while others used a three-line system.  There is still variation between states in how much space is provided between parallel stripes and how they are positioned transversely when they are used.  In the case of Oregon I believe the extra space provided between solid yellow lines (signifying no passing in either direction) is a legacy of an old three-line system.

[agentsteel53]

I believe it was the 1978 MUTCD that mandated the current striping system.  I know CA was using the double-yellow by 1962; they might have been the ones who invented it - but they were using single white broken stripe for roads on which passing was permitted as late as 1978.

there are some older roads here in CA that have the white broken stripe down the middle.  Some even older ones survive that have a double white unbroken stripe indicating no passing.  Some roads even older than that have the double white, with a black unbroken stripe in the middle, to contrast against the light concrete!  I believe they got away from that by the 40s.

[froggie]

In Vermont, they use "UNSAFE TO PASS" signs that are black text on white rectangles (at least that's what they looked like last time I was in VT).

Most of them are yellow-diamond warning signs now.  I don't recall the last time I saw one which was a black-on-white rectangle.

Do those signs carry any different meaning than "DO NOT PASS"?  Are they used elsewhere?

By Vermont law, they have the same meaning, and are considered regulatory, even the yellow-diamond ones.  I'm sure you've also noticed the "End No Passing" signs in Vermont which mark the end of the zone.

[Brian556]

In Lake Dallas, Tx , there is a no passing zone marked with both "No Passing Zone" and "Do Not Pass" signs. The center stripe, however, is broken yellow. Shows how smart city employees are.

[agentsteel53]

In Lake Dallas, Tx , there is a no passing zone marked with both "No Passing Zone" and "Do Not Pass" signs. The center stripe, however, is broken yellow. Shows how smart city employees are.

I'll make sure to file a lawsuit after I am scraped off that 18 wheeler's grille.

[Mergingtraffic]

Connecticut used the following signs over the years

This is the model they still use...not as common as they used to be, but still in reasonably common use.  The yellow "pass card" (necktie) beneath the sign signals to the motorist the start of passing/no passing zones
Here are the three standard pass cards (right three signs)

I thought the yellow signs were for DOT purposes so the crews knew when to paint the correct type of yellow line...especially when repaving was done.

[deathtopumpkins]

I've always noticed those little signs in CT ("pass cards" as you call them)... wish more states used them.

[ctsignguy]

Connecticut used the following signs over the years

This is the model they still use...not as common as they used to be, but still in reasonably common use.  The yellow "pass card" (necktie) beneath the sign signals to the motorist the start of passing/no passing zones
Here are the three standard pass cards (right three signs)

I thought the yellow signs were for DOT purposes so the crews knew when to paint the correct type of yellow line...especially when repaving was done.

It may have been, but the 'pass cards' were often attached under other signs, esp if the no passing zone ended, and on occasion, they could be found mounted by themselves, one on each side....so they were useful for both DOT crews, and also to alert motorists when it was OK to pass again...

so they were, and still are, incredibly useful...