Hello there! Are you among those that have learnt driving a car through someone? Well, you may not be one of us but there is a good number of people that have learned how to drive without going to a driving school so they know little about road signs. You may be planning a trip to Uganda but you don’t know the meaning of road signs placed along the roads. Today we would like to explore the importance of road signs for a person opting for self-drive car hire in Uganda. Are you going to a safari in Uganda? Is it a short wildlife safari Uganda, a gorilla trekking safari Uganda, a Uganda adventure safari or just a wildlife safari Uganda. Road signs help to regulate, warn and guide road users for the safe and efficient movement of traffic. Understanding the categories of road signs is key to a Uganda safari guide, a tourist interested in a Tour Uganda or Uganda safari tour, or any other person that uses the road.

Categories of road signs

There are four categories of road sign;

• Regulatory signs
• Warning signs
• Guide signs

1: Regulatory signs

Regulatory signs instruct road users of their legal obligations including speed limits, prohibited or permitted movements at intersections, and parking controls. How do you know these signs? Most of these signposts are rectangular with a black legend on a white background.

Exceptions to this include:

• Stop signs (octagonal)
• Give way and roundabout signs (triangular)
• Speed restriction signs (symbol enclosed in a red circle)
• No right-hand turn signs (red slash to indicate the prohibition of a movement)
• Prohibitive parking signs (red legend on a white background)
• Permitted parking signs (green legend on a white background).

2: Warning signs

Warning signs indicate hazards that may not be obvious to the approaching driver. They are a diamond shape with a black legend or symbol on a yellow background to indicate caution.

Warning signs include:

• Advisory speed signs (to negotiate bends safely)
• Advance warning of traffic control devices (such as traffic lights)
• Road conditions (eg slippery when wet).

3: Guide signs

Guide signs inform motorists of:

• Routes
• Direction and distance to destinations
• Points of interest and roadside facilities.

Road signs and placement

Signs and other traffic devices lose effectiveness if used unnecessarily or too frequently, so their use is restricted to the minimum consistent with safety requirements. Placement of road signs is very important and carefully considered. For signs to be effective they need to:

• Command attention
• Make the meaning clear at a glance
• Allow adequate response time.

We urge all road users in chauffer driven vehicles in Uganda, self-drive car hire vehicles in Uganda or any other type of road user or motorist to closely observe the road signs. Do you want to hire a car in Uganda, or rent a car in Uganda for a self-drive? We offer affordable car hire services in Uganda, just contact us for a sweet deal with humble services.

Besides knowing the categories and meanings of road signs, another easy way of knowing these signs is by  understanding the meaning of these background colours

Background Color of signs

The background colour of road signs is intentional and the different colours represent different content. Knowing what each colour means will help direct your attention to the different signs when and where you need it.

White background

Signs with a white background are regulatory signs. We are required by law to follow and obey these signs. Failure to obey signs with a white background is against the law and is a ticketable offence. For example, posted speed limits or no parking signs could result in fines if disobeyed.

Yellow Background

Signs with a yellow background are warning signs. Signs with a yellow background warn drivers to have an increased level of awareness about the content they display. They warn us of potentials hazards, turns, traffic signals, etc. Some examples include signal lights ahead, winding roads ahead or roundabout ahead.

Orange Background

Signs with an orange background warn of construction and maintenance work. Drivers are required to obey the posted instruction on these signs, whether it is to obey flaggers or travel within a posted speed. In areas displaying orange signs, traffic fines double in price!

Green Background

Signs with a green background represent our informational sign. These signs outline distance, direction and route numbers.

Blue Background

Blue background signs tell us of services, attractions, stops of interest, or places that you will find if you take a specific exit from a highway which is listed. Blue background signs often provide information about lodging or fuel stations.

Black Background

Signs with black backgrounds are lane use signs. They show actions permitted in that lane and are mounted above the lane or beside the lane before the intersection. You must follow the direction indicated by the arrow on the sign when in that designated lane.

Brown Background

Brown background signs provide details about National and Provincial Parks found inside many of BC’s beautiful parks and campgrounds.

Purple / Red Background

Red or purple background signs are not overly common but they tell us of attractions such as amusement parks or wineries. You’ll see a lot of signs with a red background when you enter areas that have a lot of wineries.

In conclusion about the sign’s shape and colour, the message printed on the sign helps determine the meaning of the sign. Be cautious of the message on the sign, the message tells us what to do either via the written word (WRONG WAY) or via pictures (road narrows ahead).