When driving and encountering roadside signs, many people collectively refer to them as ‘traffic signs’. Similarly, when procuring traffic facilities, ‘road signs’ and ‘traffic signs’ are often conflated. However, these two types of signs serve entirely distinct functions and purposes. Misusing them not only wastes resources but may also cause traffic chaos or even accidents.
For traffic authorities: Selecting the correct sign enables precise management — for instance, areas near schools require a ‘30mph Speed Limit’ traffic sign, not merely a ‘School Zone’ road marking.
For procurement officers: Prevent incorrect purchases and mismatches — Road signs emphasise ‘informing location’, while traffic signs focus on ‘regulating behaviour’; procurement requirements must be precisely aligned.
For ordinary drivers/pedestrians: Understanding signs ensures safe passage — Knowing ‘This is XX Road’ (road sign) versus ‘Slow down here’ (traffic sign) leads to entirely different decisions.
(1) Core function: ‘The road's identity card and instruction manual’
The sole purpose of road signs is to convey information directly related to the road itself, helping you ‘recognise this road’ without imposing any behavioural constraints.
(2) 3 Common Types of Road Signs and Examples
Identification Signs: Inform you ‘which road this is’, e.g., road name signs like ‘West Lake Avenue’ or ‘G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway’, or kilometre markers like ‘K125’ on motorway hard shoulders.
Direction Signs: Inform you ‘which direction leads where’, e.g., motorway exit signs like ‘Hangzhou East 5km’ or ‘Next Service Area 20km’.
Road Condition Notification Signs: Inform you of ‘the current state of the road’, such as ‘Roadworks Ahead, Please Detour’ or ‘Icy Road Surface, Drive with Caution’ (merely indicating conditions, not mandating reduced speed).
(1) Core Function: ‘The rulebook and warning signs of traffic’
Traffic signs directly address road users' behaviour by establishing rules, issuing warnings, or providing directional guidance. Their purpose is to maintain order and prevent hazards.
(2) Three Common Categories of Traffic Signs and Examples
Regulatory Signs (Prohibitions/Mandates): Compel you to ‘must do’ or ‘must not do’, e.g., ‘Speed Limit 50km/h’, ‘No Parking’, ‘Wear Seatbelt’. Violations incur penalties.
Warning Signs: Alert you to ‘potential hazards,’ such as ‘Sharp Bend,’ ‘Children Crossing,’ or ‘Accident Black Spot.’ Proactive risk avoidance is required upon sighting.
Guidance Signs: Direct you on ‘the route to take,’ such as ‘Hospital 200m Left,’ ‘Car Park This Way,’ or ‘Bus Lane,’ facilitating efficient passage.
These convey ‘factual information,’ such as ‘You are now on XX Road’ or ‘Toll station 3 kilometres ahead,’ without requiring you to alter your driving or walking behaviour.
For instance: Seeing a ‘Beijing East Road’ sign merely confirms your location; you wouldn't accelerate or decelerate because of it — this exemplifies road signs' ‘non-interventionist’ nature.
These convey ‘behavioural directives’, either mandating compliance with rules or warning of hazards, directly influencing your decisions.
For instance: Upon seeing a ‘Speed Limit 60km/h’ sign, you must proactively reduce speed below 60; encountering ‘School Ahead – Slow Down’ requires you to decelerate immediately – this exemplifies the ‘interventionist’ nature of traffic signs.
Colour/Shape: No mandatory standards; flexible adjustments across regions and scenarios. For instance, street name signs may be green in some cities and blue in others; kilometre markers are typically rectangular but their size may vary according to road width.
Content Customisation: Information can be added as needed, such as ‘XX Attraction 500 metres’ on scenic routes or ‘XX Residential Area Entrance Left Turn’ near housing estates, provided it remains clear and understandable.
Colour/Shape Fixed: Globally follows unified standards. Recognise function by colour and shape alone, without text:
Red + Circular/Octagonal = Prohibition (e.g., ‘No Entry’, ‘Stop and Give Way’);
Yellow + Triangular = Warning (e.g., ‘Sharp Bend’, ‘Caution: Pedestrians’);
Green / Blue + Rectangular = Guidance (e.g., ‘Motorway Exit’, ‘Hospital Directions’).
Content must not be altered arbitrarily: For instance, ‘Speed Limit Signs’ must be white background with red border and black text, with precise specifications for digit size and positioning. They cannot be replaced with other colours or shapes — doing so would cause cognitive confusion.
Road signs carry no legal binding force. Even if unseen or ignored, no penalties apply. For instance, missing an ‘XX Exit’ sign merely means missing the exit and requiring a detour, without fines or penalty points.
Traffic signals carry legal force as integral components of traffic regulations. Ignoring or violating them incurs liability. For instance, running a ‘No Entry’ signal results in 6 penalty points and a ¥200 fine; exceeding the speed limit at a ‘50 km/h’ sign attracts proportional penalties.
Road signs: ‘G15 Shenhai Expressway’ nameplate, “K300” kilometre marker, ‘Next Exit Shanghai 10km’ exit indicator — informing you of ‘which motorway this is, your current location, and the direction ahead’.
Traffic signs: ‘Speed limit 120km/h’, ‘No overtaking’, ‘Tunnel ahead – switch on lights’ — informing you of ‘how fast to drive, what actions are prohibited, and what to watch out for’.
Road signs: ‘XX Primary School Road’ nameplate, ‘School Zone 500m Ahead’ location indicator — informing you ‘this is a road near a school’.
Traffic signs: ‘School Zone Speed Limit 30km/h’, " No Horns During School Hours‘, ’Give Way to Children Crossing‘ — informing you of ’how slowly to drive, what actions are prohibited, and what hazards to avoid".
Road signs: ‘XX Residential Complex East Gate’ directional sign, ‘XX Road Under Construction — Please Detour’ road condition sign — indicating ‘where the complex entrance is located and whether the road is passable’.
Traffic signs: ‘Residential Area Speed Limit 20km/h’, ‘No Horns’, ‘Pedestrian Crossing – Yield to Pedestrians’ – informing you of ‘how slowly to drive, what actions are prohibited, and which rules to observe’.
Misconception 1: ‘Any sign containing “road” is a road sign’
Correction: For instance, ‘Roadworks Ahead – Slow Down’ mentions “road” but focuses on the behavioural instruction ‘slow down’, classifying it as a traffic sign. Conversely, ‘XX Road Construction’ merely indicates road conditions and is a road sign.
Misconception 2: ‘All roadside signs are traffic signs’
Correction: Roadside signs like ‘XX Shopping Centre Entrance’ or ‘XX Petrol Station 1km’ merely indicate commercial facilities' locations and are unrelated to traffic rules, thus constituting road signs. Only signs involving speed, regulations, or hazards qualify as traffic signs.
Misconception 3: ‘Traffic signs are more important than road signs’
Correction: Both are equally vital — failing to find your way (due to missing road signs) leads to getting lost, while disregarding rules (due to missing traffic signs) causes danger. In different scenarios, neither can be dispensed with.
By Function:
Informs you of ‘road conditions’ (location, name, state) = Road Sign;
Instructs you on ‘what to do’ (speed limits, give way, prohibitions) = Traffic Sign.
By Design:
Flexible colours and shapes, customisable = Road Sign;
Fixed colours and shapes, standardised = Traffic Sign.
Consider consequences: Ignoring road signs may cause detours at most; ignoring traffic signs may result in legal penalties.
Road signs: Prioritise ‘clarity and comprehensibility’ – ensure prominent display of road names and mileage markers, with timely updates to road condition alerts.
Traffic signs: Prioritise ‘compliance’ – must meet national or international standards (e.g., China's GB 5768, Vienna Convention) to ensure legal enforceability.
Define requirements: First clarify ‘what problem needs solving’ – whether guiding navigation (purchase road signs) or regulating behaviour (purchase traffic signs) to avoid incorrect procurement.
Confirm standards: When procuring traffic signs, verify compliance with local regulations; for road signs, customise dimensions and colours according to the specific context.
Learn to ‘read traffic signs before road signs’: When driving, first observe traffic signs such as ‘Speed Limit’ or ‘No Overtaking’ to ensure safety, then use road signs to confirm your location and avoid getting lost.
Should you require assistance with selecting, procuring, or installing road signs or traffic signs (e.g., urban road sign renewal, scenic area traffic signage planning), please contact us. We provide high-quality, standard-compliant products and offer bespoke solutions tailored to your specific context, ensuring signs are both practical and safe while enhancing road traffic efficiency.
