Roads are paths created over land for vehicles, humans and animals to pass. It gives dependable pathway for transporting people and goods from place to place.
Roads are typically paved, smooth or otherwise, made to allow easy travel.
In history, most roads were simply local or traditional routes without any formal construction or maintenance.
Have you ever thought of why there are lots of accidents on the road? Recent survey has shown that we face a lot of accident because a lot of Nigerians don’t know basic road/traffic signs.
A good knowledge of Nigeria road signs, signals, roads and pavement markings is essential for all road users and drivers. To ensure a smooth and safe traffic flow, road signs in Nigeria and markings together with signals by authorized traffic officers are needed. Following this Highway Code will really help us stay alive while using the road. Road signs will help us avoid penalties due to road offenses. It also teaches us to use the road in a safe and civilized manner.
Road traffic signs serve multiple purposes: most road signs are placed on roads and highways to point out directions to road users some are placed there to ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians. Majority of road signs are there to give an idea of what to expect ahead.
Basically, road signs are traffic languages. They speak specific languages to road users and drivers.All motorists and pedestrians are expected to have a good knowledge of what these signs represents.
Due to these reasons, teaching of road traffic signs and their meanings are important at driving schools. The Unfortunate thing about Nigeria is that most motorists did not pass through formal driving schools.
Anyway, Here are list of common road signs that most Nigerian road users need to know
PED Xing:
This is one of the most confusing road signs that motorists encounter in Nigeria. However, Be it as it may, it is understood better when represented in its pictorial form. This sign actually means “Pedestrian crossing”. Its usually placed near or ahead of zebra crossing.
No Stopping:
A ‘No Stopping’ sign directs motorists to keep going and must not stop for any reason, not for a minute, seconds, a jiffy, on the road or in an area where the sign is placed.
Turn On Red:
Usually placed at intersections where there are traffic lights, This sign allows vehicles to make a right turn even when the traffic light is on red. In other words, this sign gives permission to vehicles to turn into the next junction on the right nearer to them, even when the traffic light is displaying a red signal and without having to wait for a green light to show.
No Entry/ Do Not Enter:
This signs is used to indicate that there is no entry for vehicular traffic. It is placed at the exit of some roads to inform motorist that they cannot drive into that road. It is often used at intersections to roads with one-way traffic.
Sharp Deviation of Route or “Chevron” Sign:
Popularly called the chevron sign is fixed to warn motorists of a suden change in traffic flow. That is, they are positioned at places where traffic makes a sudden change in its course or direction, such as bends in the road or at round about. The chevron pattern pointing in the direction that traffic has to turn.
No Overtaking:
This sign is usually found on two-way roads that are too narrow and tight or are too risky for vehicles to attempt to overtake vehicles ahead of them. They are also placed where bends are found, dips in the road or where there are trees.
No Waiting:
Just like the “No Stopping” sign, it is mounted along roads or streets to instruct and direct drivers and other road users to keep driving or keep their vehicles in motion and never to stop. The major difference here is that, this signs permits a motorist to stop i.e to drop off or pick up a passenger, etc. Staying longer than the allowed time can be viewed as “waiting” or violation of the No Waiting instruction.
Lane Merge Right:
This signs advices road users that the lanes are narrows as the drive ahead or as it ends.
Lane Merge Left:
This signs warns motorist that the lane they are on narrows as they drive ahead. And such narrow end merges with a parallel lane to the left.
Bumps Ahead:
Bumps ahead is a sign used to warn drivers that there is a bump ahead. This warning is meant to advice motorists to reduce their speeds at certain points.
Narrow Bridge Ahead:
This is placed ahead of a road where there is a narrow bridge. This sign is intended advice motorists to reduce their speed and drive carefully as they approach the bridge.
Keep Right:
This very sign instructs motorists to maintain their right of way. Driving to the left side of the road violates traffic instruction.
Keep Left:
Just like the Keep Right, This sign instructs motorists to keep to their left of way. Driving into the right side of the road violates traffic instruction.
Dangerous Turn Right:
This simply warns motorists that there is sharp bend ahead in the right direction.
Dangerous Turn Left:
This sign warns motorists that the road ahead is about to turn sharply in the left direction.
Pass Either Way:
Pass either way advices motorists to pass either side of the diving road to reach the same destination or different directions.
Off Side Rule; Do Not Enter:
This sign is usually positioned at intersections where there is a traffic light. It warns road users that have been halted by the traffic light not to drive into a pattern of lines drawn on the ground ahead of the traffic light. This philosophy was borrowed from the “offside” rule in Soccer.
Narrows Road Ahead:
This inform road users that the road ahead is not wide enough for two vehicles.
