Traffic Road Signs Meanings In The Philippines

If you ever visited the Philippines, knowing traffic road signs meaning in the Philippines is necessary which can help you handle any traffic situation here. This article will clear it all.

1. Traffic road signs and their meaning in the Philippines 

In the Philippines, traffic infrastructure is still developing. You can easily get lost here. But don't worry, you just have to remember the traffic road signs meaning everything will be fine. There are thousands of road signs that you can hardly remember. This article will not tell you about every road traffic sign one by one. I will group road signs which have the same function as one category instead. Let's have a look at each group and see how they are different from each other.

Regulatory signs 

Regulatory signs in the Philippines

Regulatory signs play a significant role in navigating and managing traffic flow. They are represented by basic symbols that are easy to understand and easy to remember. Regulatory signs divide into six groups with six functions: 

• Group 1 (Priority signs) includes road signs telling you what kind of transports that allow on the specific road. 
• Group 2 (Direction signs) includes road signs indicating motorists the directions that they are obliged to follow. 
• Group 3 (Speed limits signs) depending on the features of the road, of traffic, flows, you are required to drive at a reasonable speed. This speed is to keep all vehicles on the road moving with a safe distance. 
• Group 4 (Parking and stop signs) is road signs near specific places such as buildings, supermarkets, stadiums, or places that require no entrance of vehicles. 
• Group 5 (Prohibitive/ Restriction signs) includes road signs indicating the only directions that you are obliged to follow. 
• Group 6 (Miscellaneous road signs) includes signs that instruct drivers their vehicles to move on specific roads. For example, a road sign indicates a ban to more than 2 meters of width vehicles, a road sign indicates a ban to more than 110 meters in length vehicles. 

Warning signs 

Warning signs are mostly in the form of upward triangles with a red outline. We use warning signs not only to warn people of the dangerous condition of the road but also advise people to manage their speed carefully for their safety while joining the traffic system. 

Guide/Informative Signs 

Just like its name, these road signs like a guide indicating people about the surrounding areas of the road are moving on (gas station nearby, airport, restaurants, etc.). We often see guide/informative signs at junction roads, specific turn, or exit. 

Signs on expressways 

Signs on expressways

These signs have full information to navigate drivers to drive on the correct lanes. Depending on the function, signs on expressways are often painted by different colors, for example, white color to indicate the allowed direction, red color to instruct speed limits.    

Traffic instruction signs 

Traffic instruction road signs

These signs are either regulatory or warning signs to instruct and support drivers’ to move in the right direction. Traffic instruction signs are commonly written in capital letters on big boards and easy to be seen.  

Hazards Markers 

Hazards markers sign

Hazards markers have their names say everything. These signs sometimes use colorful or contrast color instructions such as arrows to the state to approach drivers about either change of directions or the occurrence of an obstruction. You can often see these signs on the side of the road. 

Road work signs 

Road work signs

Yes, road work signs are not strange to us. You can easily see road work signs near construction areas, most of them are really eye-catching. These signs are to warn people to pay attention to their road, adjust the right speed of movement to avoid dangers from construction activities nearby.  

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2. The importance of abiding traffic road signs 

In The Philippines or no matter where you are, following road signs is a must. In recent years, there is an increase in the number of accident cases. And the reason mostly came from the lack of knowledge of traffic road signs and disobedience of drivers.  

Abide traffic road signs for the safety of yourselves and other people. 

It also means you have to follow all the traffic lights and road signals strictly. When you join the traffic, you play a role as a link of the chain within this system. If there is any collision, it then can lead to your injuries, even death, and badly impact other vehicles at the time. People who don't follow the road signs somehow underestimate their lives and other people's lives. And this is a kind of selfish behavior. 

Making the traffic flow in order 

Traffic flow, on the other hand, means the movement of vehicles on the road systems. This traffic flow can work smoothly with the assistance of a traffic infrastructure system, road signs, and vehicles’ movement. The most important is when all the drivers follow traffic road signs strictly, they will create a smooth flow of traffic, avoid traffic jams, and avoid the collision. Therefore, people can get to their destination on time. 

Saving money for fines and penalties 

When people don’t abide by the road signs and traffic lights they will have to pay a certain amount of fines due to how serious the situation is. In some cases, if your or your vehicles cause collision, accidents which lead to vehicle damages, deaths of other peoples. You might be sentenced time in prison, or your license might be subjected to suspension also.

3. Final: Follow all traffic road signs strictly

Via this article, we hope that you have an overview of traffic road signs meanings in the Philippines and what will happen if you don’t abide by traffic road signs strictly. Obeying traffic rules by following road signs is the only way to protect yourselves and your loved ones while moving on roads.

>>> Click here for more traffic rules and car advice when driving in the Philippines!