 | ||
Road signs in Singapore closely follow those laid down in the traffic sign regulations used in the United Kingdom, although a number of changes over the years have introduced some slight deviations that suit local road conditions (such as fonts). Road signs in Singapore conform to the local Highway Code under authority of the Singapore Traffic Police.
Contents
- Warning signs
- Regulatory signs
- Mandatory signs
- Prohibitory signs
- Information signs
- Temporary work zone signs
- Directional signs
- Zebra crossing rules
- References
The Highway Code of Singapore Traffic Police is tested during the Basic Theory Test and Final Theory Test at either Ubi, Bukit Batok or Woodlands driving schools. The students are then to find either a school or private driving instructor to learn driving itself. Singaporean road signs depict people with realistic (as opposed to stylised) silhouettes.
No official name is given to the typeface used on all official signs, which resembles closely to Enamela Condensed Medium.
Warning signs
Warning signages warn of possible dangers or unusual conditions ahead and alert motorists on the hazards to expect. They are usually shaped as triangles with a red border, mounted on a borderless white backing board.
Regulatory signs
Regulatory signs either give positive instructions, i.e. Mandatory signs, or indicate a prohibition, i.e. Prohibitionary signs. Many regulatory signs are accompanied by supplementary plates that provides interdependent exceptions to the rule, or indicates additional instruction or information to facilitate understanding of the rule implemented.
Mandatory signs
Mandatory signs are generally circular with a white border and symbol on a blue background. They usually indicate something all drivers must do (e.g. keep left) or a facility available to certain classes of traffic (e.g. pedal cycles only).
The exceptions are the octagonal red STOP sign, the triangular GIVE WAY sign and the various mandatory STOP signs that are circular and have a red border.
Prohibitory signs
Prohibitory signs, which generally tell drivers what they must not do, are mostly circular and have a red border. The red ring indicates the prohibition; diagonal bars are used only on signs which prohibit a specific manoeuvre, i.e. banned left or right turns and U-turns, or a certain class of vehicle, i.e. lorries.
Diagonal bars are excluded when restrictions are quantitative in nature, i.e. limits in speed, weight, axle, height and width.
Information signs
Information signs are signs that may be mounted to indicate a certain condition or nature of the road ahead that motorists need to take note. They are independent of existing mandatory and prohibitive signs. Such signs are usually white or blue and rectangular in shape.
Temporary work-zone signs
Temporary work-zone signs are mounted to ensure roads keep a free flow of traffic despite being affected by road works in the vicinity. They are depicted as orange diamond, orange rectangular or yellow rectangular shaped signs.
Directional signs
Zebra crossing rules
Two flashing amber beacons are positioned, one on each side of the road, at a zebra crossing, which flashes from 7 pm to 7 am daily, indicating to an approaching motorist of a zebra crossing. Older crossings display the blue square zebra crossing signs on both sides (see above), which are synonymous to the flashing amber beacons, and are valid yet uncommon on the roads. The road markings and road dividers are white zig zag lines that indicate a zebra crossing in the vicinity.
On approach, regardless of the absence of any pedestrians, all motorists are required to keep left of the divider, prepare to stop and stay in their respective lanes, i.e. no overtaking is permitted.
When pedestrians are present at the side of a zebra crossing, all motorists are obligated to give priority to pedestrians crossing the zebra crossing bars, by stopping before the white line across the lane. No waiting is permitted within the vicinity of the zebra crossing.
A sign indicating a pedestrian crossing or a 'SLOW' painted on the road may be present as well.