Least useful road signs? (MUTCD... but can include other countries' signs)

[empirestate]

Another candidate is that European-system "!" sign.  WTF does that mean!?!  Name the hazard or show it in a pictogram, folks.

I actually use that symbol often in musical scores, to alert me of some upcoming "hazard", such as a chord I always screw up, or some quick cue that comes directly after a wicked page turn. I find that no more specificity is needed; just seeing the symbol reminds me what the hazard is and to keep my senses sharp.

Not saying that necessarily works as a road sign application, but on the other hand I'd wager there are a lot of similarities to how musicians and motorists process the symbolic information they encounter constantly.

[Scott5114]

Another candidate is that European-system "!" sign.  WTF does that mean!?!  Name the hazard or show it in a pictogram, folks.

I actually use that symbol often in musical scores, to alert me of some upcoming "hazard", such as a chord I always screw up, or some quick cue that comes directly after a wicked page turn. I find that no more specificity is needed; just seeing the symbol reminds me what the hazard is and to keep my senses sharp.

Not saying that necessarily works as a road sign application, but on the other hand I'd wager there are a lot of similarities to how musicians and motorists process the symbolic information they encounter constantly.

I always used to just circle the offending notes, and if that wasn't good enough, write the slide position numbers beneath (I played trombone) so that if I did begin to screw up, I could "cheat" and use the numbers to ride out the difficult part.

[realjd]

"Keep Right" sign. Used typically on large roads that have a median(s) at intersections. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MUTCD_R4-7.svg ...this related sign too http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MUTCD_W6-1.svg
I think it's fairly obvious of which side of the median to be on. Wrong way + Do Not enter signs are used in places where such a mishap can happen.

They're particularly useful when the median is hard to see. When making left turns at an intersection, they're excellent visual cues as to where to turn your car, particularly at night.

[kphoger]

"Keep Right" sign. Used typically on large roads that have a median(s) at intersections. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MUTCD_R4-7.svg ...this related sign too http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MUTCD_W6-1.svg
I think it's fairly obvious of which side of the median to be on. Wrong way + Do Not enter signs are used in places where such a mishap can happen.

They're particularly useful when the median is hard to see. When making left turns at an intersection, they're excellent visual cues as to where to turn your car, particularly at night.

Or when eight inches of snow fell but the snow plow hasn't come by yet.  I've actually gone down the wrong side of the roadway due to snow before; a sign would have been greatly appreciated.

What I'd love to know is why a gravel road would have a 100 km/h speed limit!

That's what I wanted to know, hence why I posted this pic!

I've gone 100 km/h on gravel plenty of times in places like western Kansas.  If there has been rain recently, and/or if there are curves, it's too fast.  But under normal conditions, it's perfectly doable.

[flowmotion]

CHECK HEADLIGHTS after a tunnel or a "daylight safety zone". Would it really matter if people left their headlights on?

[empirestate]

CHECK HEADLIGHTS after a tunnel or a "daylight safety zone". Would it really matter if people left their headlights on?

Well, it used to be a pretty silly idea to run one's headlights during the daytime, like leaving your TV on when you left the house, so it was a nice reminder to switch them off once they weren't needed. Now, of course, the sign is often useless because one has no choice but to burn the headlights on many modern cars!

[1995hoo]

I've always used headlights on two-lane roads where people pass over the center line (none of our cars have DRLs). I've found over the years that it's far easier to see an oncoming vehicle with lights on, especially in hot weather when you get that shimmering mirage effect.

But having it after every tunnel seems unnecessary to me. Plus I think drivers ought to be responsible and we don't need signs for every last thing. I mean, at the rate this country is going, soon public toilets will have signs saying "Remember to wipe after defecating."

[Kacie Jane]

But having it after every tunnel seems unnecessary to me. Plus I think drivers ought to be responsible and we don't need signs for every last thing. I mean, at the rate this country is going, soon public toilets will have signs saying "Remember to wipe after defecating."

We're practically there already, and have been for a while.  "Employees must wash hands."  Really?  Only employees?

[Takumi]

But having it after every tunnel seems unnecessary to me. Plus I think drivers ought to be responsible and we don't need signs for every last thing. I mean, at the rate this country is going, soon public toilets will have signs saying "Remember to wipe after defecating."

We're practically there already, and have been for a while.  "Employees must wash hands."  Really?  Only employees?

Caution: coffee is hot.

[flowmotion]

Well, it used to be a pretty silly idea to run one's headlights during the daytime, like leaving your TV on when you left the house, so it was a nice reminder to switch them off once they weren't needed. Now, of course, the sign is often useless because one has no choice but to burn the headlights on many modern cars!

When those signs went up, people were buying the biggest and cheapest low-tolerance low-tech iron lumps that could fit between their fenders. So I have to be skeptical about the energy efficiency rationale.

I'm guessing the "Check Headlights" signs were more about people draining their battery after parking. Only luxury cars like Cadillacs were sophisticated enough to automatically turn off the lights in those days.

[roadfro]

^ except that the "check headlights" sign was/is often placed on a roadway after exiting a tunnel or leaving a daytime headlight section, not around parking lots...

[Central Avenue]

^ except that the "check headlights" sign was/is often placed on a roadway after exiting a tunnel or leaving a daytime headlight section, not around parking lots...

Well, if you forgot to turn off your headlights after a tunnel or daytime headlight zone, it would be pretty easy to run all the way to your destination with them on and forget to turn them off there, too...

Granted, I'm just guessing.

[codyg1985]

Mississippi has a "Trucks Turning" sign with a placard under it saying "Watch for Long Logs"

Alabama has a "WATCH FOR WATER ON ROADWAY" sign that is used in lieu of the Slippery When Wet sign. The Slippery When Wet sign is used in Alabama too, but the WATCH FOR WATER ON ROADWAY is only used in ALDOT's Second Division (NW Alabama), that I know of. I don't see the point of having this sign since you would be looking for water on the road if it's raining.

"Keep Right" sign. Used typically on large roads that have a median(s) at intersections. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MUTCD_R4-7.svg ...this related sign too http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MUTCD_W6-1.svg
I think it's fairly obvious of which side of the median to be on. Wrong way + Do Not enter signs are used in places where such a mishap can happen.

They're particularly useful when the median is hard to see. When making left turns at an intersection, they're excellent visual cues as to where to turn your car, particularly at night.

Seconded. I have ran into a curb in a median before at night because I couldn't see it and there was no Keep Right sign.

[hbelkins]

Kentucky uses a text "Water Possible On Road" warning sign. I presume this is meant to warn of ponding water and is separate from the graphic "Slippery When Wet" sign. There's also a text "High Water Possible" sign that's permanently posted in areas that are prone to flooding.

[agentsteel53]

I've gone 100 km/h on gravel plenty of times in places like western Kansas.  If there has been rain recently, and/or if there are curves, it's too fast.  But under normal conditions, it's perfectly doable.

indeed, a lot of Kansas sectional roads are dead straight with great visibility, and about 55-60mph feels very safe.  I once took a Prius up to 102mph on an old US-81 alignment that was a very good dirt road!

[DaBigE]

I once took a Prius up to 102mph on an old US-81 alignment that was a very good dirt road!

A Prius?!? Did that thing have nitrous in it? I didn't think those could do above 60...(or maybe that's just the Prius owner's I experience around here ).

[mgk920]

I'll second the uselessness of the USA's current 'KEEP RIGHT/LEFT' sign.  Instead, I'd use the European standard sign (a blue disk with a 3/4 downpointing arrow mounted low - 'DRIVE ON THIS SIDE OF THE SIGN'), or its yellow with black arrow 'diamond' USA equivalent.

Also, I'd like to see the European warning sign graphic images for 'watch for congested traffic' and 'watch for high winds' adopted here in the USA.

Mike

[agentsteel53]

A Prius?!? Did that thing have nitrous in it? I didn't think those could do above 60...(or maybe that's just the Prius owner's I experience around here ).

102 is its top speed, as determined empirically on several occasions.

[Compulov]

102 is its top speed, as determined empirically on several occasions.

Is it really, or is it just a governor? Governors can be bypassed...

[deathtopumpkins]

I'll second the uselessness of the USA's current 'KEEP RIGHT/LEFT' sign.  Instead, I'd use the European standard sign (a blue disk with a 3/4 downpointing arrow mounted low - 'DRIVE ON THIS SIDE OF THE SIGN'), or its yellow with black arrow 'diamond' USA equivalent.

I do believe Steve (Alps) mentioned to me at one point that there used to be a European sign like this in Boston, at the eastern end of Comm Ave.

[national highway 1]

I'll second the uselessness of the USA's current 'KEEP RIGHT/LEFT' sign.  Instead, I'd use the European standard sign (a blue disk with a 3/4 downpointing arrow mounted low - 'DRIVE ON THIS SIDE OF THE SIGN'), or its yellow with black arrow 'diamond' USA equivalent.

Also, I'd like to see the European warning sign graphic images for 'watch for congested traffic' and 'watch for high winds' adopted here in the USA.

Mike

In Australia we have this sign reminding European and North American tourists to drive on the left: