A Guide to Road Signs in Kenya
Introduction
Whether a new driver or a seasoned road user, road signs play a crucial role for the safety of every road user. The rules they communicate help keep all road users safe hence, negligence of such road signs can be fatal as they may result in serious accidents. This is why it’s important to understand every road sign and its meaning. Our traffic system gets more complex each passing day, highlighting the need to understanding and responding to different types of road signs becoming more important.
What are road signs?
Road signs are well-designed systems of communication between the road users and road authorities. Strategically placed on the road, they are well visible for road users during day and night time due to the special materials used to make them.They use shapes,colors and symbols to communicate important information clearly to drivers.This helps to ensure there’s controlled movement on the roads,safety for all road users and smooth flow of traffic.Without these road signs,road activities would be messy and uncontrolled which increases danger and may give drivers hard time navigating to their destination.
Types of road signs and their roles
There are different types of road signs on our roads. These signs fall into different categories of road signs which are: regulatory signs, warning signs and informational. They serve to regulate traffic flow and road behavior and also to warn and inform drivers of potential hazards on the road. They form unique an important visual language that is easy to see and understand. Review of different categories of road signs meaning is important as it helps you stay informed on new systems and help in keeping every road user safe.
General classification of road signs
Not all road signs are the same,they have different classifications.They are classified according to their purpose on the road.This means that they have different markings,symbols and colors which help the fall under different categories.Road signs categories include: regulatory signs.warning signs and informational signs.This categories provide road users with information on what the road sign requires of them.They provide different road sign meanings which ensure safety for all road users and smooth operation of all road activities.
What are the basic categories of road signs?
To new road users, all road signs may seem the same but to seasonal road users, road signs fall into basic categories of signs which are important for practicality and safety reasons. This helps to address the different challenges encountered on the road by road users. Each road sign category has its own different signs with different meanings and purpose. The basic categories of signs include regulatory, warning and informational signs.
Regulatory signs are the rules of the road as they provide the laws and regulations which are communicated through regulatory signs. Warning signs give drivers advance warning of potentially hazardous situations or conditions of the road ahead. Informational signs are used to help driver navigation as they give directions on how to get to various places or destination.
Why the need for different categories yet they are all road signs? Well some of the signs convey the need for quick response to avoid potential danger due to the color, shape or design they have.Some showcase priority of information so that road users may know which signs need first hand priority e.g regulatory sign like a STOP sign may need priority over information sign which showcases direction of a certain road. Having different categories also helps in promoting universal understanding of road signs.
| Category | Examples |
| Regulatory | Stop signs,Weight limit sign,One way sign,Speed limit sign |
| Warning | Bump ahead, Falling rocks, Pedestrian crossing, Road work ahead |
| Informational | Exit signs, Street name signs, Restaurants & Hotels, Distance to destinations |
Breakdown of different road signs
Warning signs
A warning sign is part of the road sign symbols used on our roads to indicate potential hazardous conditions ahead which need special attention from the road user. It provides early warning to the road user enabling quicker response time. Warning road signs are placed before the potential hazards, giving the road user ample time see and decide how to respond to the hazard for your safety and that of other road users.
Warning road signs are typically made with an equilateral triangular shape with a white background, a thick red border, and a black pictogram or symbol resembling the hazard ahead, signifying the need for caution and potential dangers on the road. This makes it stand out clearly and draw the attention of the road user.
Some of the warning road signs include: bump ahead, road work ahead, school zone ahead. They serve to warn the road user so that they get prepared as they approach the area. Let’s say, if its school zone ahead warning road sign, a driver will have to reduce their speed as they approach the area to avoid hitting children who maybe crossing the road.
Examples of warning road signs
Bumps ahead Steep incline ahead
Road construction ahead Accident ahead
Informative road signs
Informative road signs may also be referred to as guide signs as they guide road user by giving them information on locations and services like hospitals, service stations, restaurants, and motels in the current area or the area ahead.They are mostly rectangular but those showing directions may have one side pointed.Unlike warning signs which need immediate attention of the road user,informative road signs information maybe processed later on and its essential to those needing information on direction,location and certain services.
Informative road signs have different colors as they serve different purpose to the road users. Some may have white lettering or symbols with a blue background and are used to show motorways while some have white lettering or symbols with a green background and are used to show international and national trunk roads. Those that show services offered may have the service symbol on them eg: a hospital may have ‘H’ a car service may have a car and wrench tool on the sign.
Some of the examples of informative road signs include: direction signs, distance signs and place information signs.
Example of informative road signs.
Route sign indicator Fuel station ahead Accommodation ahead Distance sign indicator
Regulatory road signs
Among the classes of road signs, regulatory signs play the role of law enforcement and regulation on the roads ensuring road users adhere to certain set principles and standards for their safety and that of others. They mostly have a red background or a red border which draws the driver’s attention to the sign. Regulatory signs, from their name, serve to regulate issues such as speed limits, lane usage and weight of vehicles.
Regulatory signs help to ensure order and safety of all road users since some road behaviors maybe dangerous if not regulated. They fall under two categories; mandatory and prohibitory. Mandatory are the rules which the road user must follow and stick to e.g.: KEEP LEFT, GIVE WAY and STOP.Prohibitory signs contains rules which the driver must no do e.g.: NO ENTRY, NO LEFT TURN and NO VEHICLES ALLOWED.
Regulatory signs are usually black and white with vertical rectangles or squares e.g.: Speed limit signs and some are black, white and red like the No Left Turn sign with a circle and a slash in the middle. Some are red and white like the stop sign and the yield sign
Some of the regulatory signs include: Give way, Speed limit and no entry.
Examples of regulatory signs
No entry signs No left turn sign
Keep left sign Speed limit sign No U-Turn sign
Colors and symbols in road signs
The road sign symbols we use daily have different colors, but why do they need different colors?
First, the colors help to draw attention of the road users especially drivers who maybe driving fast. This ensures that all road users attention is drawn to the road sign symbols. Secondly, the road sign colors have different meaning, with each color representing different situations which helps road users know which class the road sign falls into. Let’s discuss some of these colors for better understanding.
Red
Let’s begin with the red color which we are mostly familiar with, the color red is mostly found on regulatory signs e.g.: stop signs, wrong way signs and yield signs. The color red is frequently linked with danger making any road user take precaution when approaching it. It calls for the need to immediate action.
Green
Any road sign symbol with the color green is used as an informative sign, meaning it provides information to guide the user to a certain destination. They are common on: lane exit signs, road name signs and distance signs.
Yellow
Among the road sign colors, yellow calls for possible danger or hazardous condition ahead and are generally found on road sign symbols with diamond or triangular shape. They are used on warning signs such as: road work ahead, cattle crossing and lane merging and help the driver prepare in advance.
Blue
The blue color is used on road sign symbols which indicate services along the road. They are used on informative road signs which include: Hospital ahead sign, car service ahead sign and fuel station ahead sign.
Classes of road signs in Kenya
According to the Kenyan constitution, the traffic act says that there are four classes of road signs in Kenya. These are Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D. These means that different roads signs fall into different classes serving different purposes. Let’s break it down.
Class A
Road signs in class A are regulatory signs which serve to control traffic and provide information to be followed by road users. They include stop signs, speed limit signs and nor left turn signs. Class A road signs are mostly circular with red borders for prohibition and blue borders for mandatory instructions.
Class B
Warning signs fall into class B class and come in triangular shape with red borders. They warn drivers of dangers and hazards ahead and include sharp bends, road work ahead and rock falling signs. They are placed before the hazard.
Class C
Informative signs are placed in class C and they serve to inform road users about places and services along the road. They have blue background for services, green background for direction on major roads and white background for direction on local roads. They include Hospital signs and fuel station signs.
Class D
This class has signs referred to as road markings which are all markings that have been painted on a road surface. They include stop lines, lane markings and pedestrian crossing. They make use of both yellow and white lines which have reflective abilities so that they are visible at night
Function of road signs
Road signs are not placed on the road for decoration purpose rather the functions of road signs are to inform, to warn and to regulate traffic hence the famous three categories: informative, warning and regulative signs. The functions of road signs serve to protect all road users, provide them with crucial information and most of all keep them safe.
For new road users in certain areas, road signs do well to inform them of directions, distance and services provided along that road. They help in navigation and finding important routes, getting to know the services available in a certain area and help to avoid confusion especially in lane or junction exits. They are placed at a good distance for adequate time to read and prepare.
What about warning? well these signs help warn about potential danger or hazard ahead for better preparation to ensure safety. They give advance notice of conditions ahead which may change and allow the road users, especially drivers to get suitable response time. They are placed at a good distance before the hazard to allow for preparedness and prevent accidents.
Some road users tend to be chaotic, hence need for regulation on the roads. Regulatory signs serve this purpose as they act as the law on the road. They regulate traffic by managing traffic flow and establishing rules and legal requirements for safety e.g.: no left turn, no overtaking. This helps prevent accidents by the clear instructions they convey e.g.: speed limit at bends or school zones. They are placed at the point or zone of regulation.
The three functions of road signs stated above help keep all road users safe, that is if all are followed and adhered to.
FAQ
Information signs provide essential guidance to road users in regards to distance, location and services offered in the area along the road. This helps avoid confusion, ensure safety and improve user experience for the road users.
Incase you are using a new road an are trying to find the exit, information signs play a vital role here as they will help you know which exit to take and where it will lead you. It also shows you the name of the road you are using helping you be aware of your current location.
Ever found yourself anxious on where to slow down to take an exist or how long till you reach a certain place? Information signs become useful at this point. They will tell you the distance to cover to your next exit and also guide you on how much distance to cover to a certain place. This is important in terms of fuel management or refreshments.
Three basic types of road signs
Road signs help in maintaining order and safety for all road users. That’s why we need road signs as they act as road authorities. Let’s brush-up a bit on some of the road signs we find and use in our daily activities while on the road.
Regulatory signs which have red and white colors convey mandatory and prohibitory rules which all road users need to adhere to. They regulate road activities and help keep all road users safe. Some of the regulatory signs include: Stop signs, Speed limit signs and No U-Turn signs.
Warning signs which have yellow color, with diamond shape or triangular shape with white background and red border provide warning to road users about danger or hazard which maybe on the road. They are placed some distance before the danger or hazard. They include: rocks falling ahead, construction ahead and bump ahead.
Informative signs come in rectangular shape and may have green or blue background. They serve to provide information which guide the road users to certain locations, tell them distance to certain places or services and facilities in the area. They include: Hospital signs, distance indicator signs and exit signs.
What do road signs mean?
Drivers, pedestrians and all other road users need guidance on the road, hence the need for traffic information being communicated to them constantly. This is where traffic signs become essential as they are put-up in vital locations and relay traffic information at all times.
By the use of shapes, symbols, text and colors, road signs communicate effectively to all people and ensures the message is delivered clearly and in a simple understandable manner. This is very effective as driver and other motorists don’t have to stop and read long texts about certain information since a road sign can have a symbol or short text that effectively communicates the required information.
The other fun and unique part is that the signs are universal and can be understood by everyone around the world meaning no limitations on the information relay. The use of this standard system ensures that road safety is catered for all people even those with different languages in different countries.
Conclusion
Road safety is crucial and can be achieved through following and observing road signs. Road signs are classified into: regulatory, warning and informational signs. The regulatory signs regulate road activities by enforcing traffic laws which maybe mandatory or prohibitory. They come with a white background and red border and are circular or octagon in shape.
Warning signs are used to warn drivers of danger and hazardous conditions ahead. They have a white background and red border and are mostly triangular in shape. Informative signs come with a green or blue background, a rectangular shape and are used to guide and provide information on location, distance and services or facilities in the area or along the road.
These road signs use universal language making them easy to understand for all road users. It’s therefore important for all road users to understand all road signs and what they mean as it not inly affects your safety but also the safety of others. A simple action can bring a big impact, choose to take action required by the road sign to prevent serious and fatal impacts ahead. Safety starts with you.
