QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔Round Shape - ✔✔-Railroad Ahead-
This circular sign always means that you are approaching a railroad grade crossing.
You must slow down and be ready to stop. This sign tells you that it is up to you to stop
if you see a train coming.
NEVER TRY TO "BEAT" THE TRAIN. YOU WILL USUALLY MISJUDGE ITS SPEED.
More than 200 traffic crashes occur each year at railroad crossings. Do not play with
your life trying to "beat the train."
✔✔Broad "X" Shape — Railroad Here - ✔✔This is known as a crossbuck sign. It is
placed at all railroad grade crossings and shows exactly where the tracks are located.
Notice the smaller signs placed on the post directly below the crossbuck. They show the
number of tracks at a particular crossing. This is very important because, when there
are two or more tracks, one train passing might hide the approach of a train from the
other direction.
Some crossbucks are equipped with two lights
underneath the "X." Flashing lights on a
crossbuck mean that a train is coming. Always
stop when the lights are flashing. Remain
stopped until the train has passed. If there is
more than one track, be sure all tracks are clear
before crossing. Some crossbucks are equipped with both
flashing lights and a gate. Stop when the lights begin
flashing and before the gate comes down. Remain
stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing.
✔✔Diamond Shape - ✔✔Hazardous Or Unexpected Condition Ahead These signs call
for caution and usually for a slower speed. Some carry written information. Others are
miniature symbolic road maps that warn of highway conditions ahead. This sign tells
you that you are approaching an intersection. The black lines show just what kind of
intersection this is. This sign tells you it is a crossroad.
✔✔Rectangular Shape - ✔✔Special Laws, Regulations or Important Information, Some
Guide Signs
These signs are sometimes mounted overhead. This sign (High Occupancy Vehicle)
indicates lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with the minimum number of occupants
specified on the sign.
The central concept for HOV lanes is to move more people rather than more cars. Each
vehicle that travels in an HOV lane must carry the minimum number of people posted
on the entrance signs. In Tennessee, that means at least two people. Exceptions
include motorcycles.
, ✔✔Speed Control - ✔✔These signs show the maximum speed allowed, the minimum
speed required or a change in speed limit. The sign on the far right is used whenever
children are within walking distance of school. It tells you that children may be crossing
the street on their way to and from school. This type of sign is controlled by a time clock
and flashes yellow lights while illuminating the speed limit. Failure to obey the posted
school zone limit could result in serious injury or loss of life.
✔✔Slower Traffic Keep Right - ✔✔This sign is used on a highway that has more than
one lane going each direction. It means that you must drive in the extreme right lane
unless you want to pass a slower moving car or make a left turn. Never straddle lanes
or drive in the center lane when moving more slowly than other traffic around you.
pg 37
✔✔No Passing Signs - ✔✔These signs tell you where passing is not permitted. Passing
areas are based on how far you can see ahead. They consider unseen hazards such as
hills and curves, intersections, driveways and other places a vehicle may enter the
roadway.
✔✔No Passing zone - ✔✔A triangular No Passing Zone sign can also be used. These
signs are yellow or orange and placed on the left side of the roadway.
✔✔DO NOT ENTER - ✔✔This sign tells you that you are approaching a one-way street
and that you must not enter from the direction you are traveling
✔✔Hitchhiking - ✔✔In Tennessee, it is illegal to stand on a roadway to solicit a ride.
Hitchhiking is not only dangerous for the pedestrian, but also to the driver of the vehicle
who stops to pick up a stranger.
✔✔Malfunctioning Traffic Light - ✔✔What to do when the light is out!
Tennessee state law requires that if a signal is not working, the intersection is to be
treated as if it were a ll-way stop intersection. Stop as you would if there were stop signs
in all
directions (This is covered in the Rules of the Road chapter).
Do not proceed until it is safe. The right-of-way law says that if there are two or more
vehicles at the intersection stopping at the same time, the driver on the left would yield
to the driver on the right. The driver on the right who arrives first gets to go first.
However, stay cautious and be sure it is safe to proceed even when you are in the first
car to reach the intersection.
✔✔General Principles of Pavement line markings - ✔✔Lines and symbols on the
roadway