Every driver should have a basic knowledge of the meaning of road signs. We can’t say that only drivers should be aware of the road signs.
Yes, everyone who walks through the road should have a basic knowledge of road signs. But, knowing the meaning of road signs is a must for drivers. The authorities of Kenya strictly conduct tests on these signs before giving away the license for having a basic knowledge of traffic rules.
A sign is a language used to convey a message through a symbol or image. The road sign boards are pretty familiar to all of us, but do you know what all these road signs mean?
A traffic sign board is a way of communication between people and traffic rules. Are you having a confusion regarding the meaning of road signs?
You don’t have to worry, here’s all that you want to know.
Now, let us have a look at the meaning of road signs in Kenya.
What Are The Types Of Road Signs In Kenya?
It is a pretty good skill to know all the road signs if you are a road user. It is necessary to know the meaning of road signs if you want to have a license of your own.
The road signs have been divided into different categories in order to make it easy for drivers to identify them.
The different category of road signs in Kenya is mentioned below:
- Class A signs or Regulatory signs
- Class B signs or warning Signs
- Class C signs or Traffic light signals
- Class D signs or Carriageway marking and Kerb Markings
Each of the signs coming under all these categories has a distinct representation to make it easier to understand the meaning of the signs. It is important to know the meanings of road signs in order to prevent accidents.
It is necessary to have basic knowledge about the meanings of road signs if you are a road user. So let’s see what are the meanings of road signs in each category.
Class A Signs
The Class A signs which are also referred to as the regulatory signs include the signs that indicate the mandatory rules that one should follow while driving.
This category includes the most priority signs in Kenya such as Stop and Giveaway, prohibitory signs that indicate the prohibition of certain activities in that particular area, and the mandatory signs that one must be followed.
Mostly the signs under Class A are having a circle with a blue or white background. A few of them can be seen in inverted triangles or octagons in shape. The signs which have a white background and red circle indicate strict warnings as one must not do.
Road users can’t avoid or neglect these signs. If you do, you will be having proper punishment from the road safety authorities.
The circles with blue color are exactly opposite to the red colored circle. That is, a blue colored circle indicates the things that a road user must do on that particular road. For example, the signs that mean Keep left, Proceed straight only, Roundabout, Cyclists Only, Pedestrians Only, etc.
Class B Signs
The meaning of road signs in Kenya can be easily understood through the categorization of the signals.
As we mentioned earlier, road signs can prevent a large count of accidents on the roads. A driver should always be aware of the signs ahead to prevent accidents and other hazards. So, the next category of road signs, Class B signs, includes warnings.
The warning signs are implemented to make you notice a hazard that comes in the way. It helps you to drive cautiously. This category of road signs in the streets of Kenya can be seen in triangular shapes in red color.
The hazard ahead of you will be indicated in the sign by a black graphic representation inside the red triangle.
Some of the Class B road signs mostly seen in Kenya are:
- Traffic Signals ahead
- Hairpin Bend
- End of Dual Roadway
- Tunnel ahead
- Length restricted
- Steep Descent
- Railway crossing
- Wild Animals
- Narrow Road ahead
- Falling rocks ahead
Class C Signs
The third category which helps us to know the meaning of road signs in Kenya is the Class C signs, which include the Traffic light signals.
We must know what colors are included in the traffic light signals. Red, Green, and amber are the three colors that we usually see in traffic signals. Do you know what each of these colors indicates? Let’s see what they mean.
What To Do If The Red Color Lightens up
While you are driving a vehicle and the traffic signal lightens up red, now you have to stop the vehicle. The roads will have proper lines according to the traffic signals. So you must stop the vehicle when you see the red color in the signal and make sure not to cross the stop line.
You have to wait there until the green color turns on in the signal. This is to maintain proper traffic and prevent issues on busy roads.
What If The Green Light Turns On?
When you are waiting in traffic and the green light turns on, it means that ‘now you can move.’ Drivers should keep other traffic rules while taking vehicles from the traffic after getting the green signal.
What Does The Amber Color Indicate?
The amber light indicates caution. That is, this color appears when the signal changes from green to red. It helps road users to be cautious about the red signal coming next. If you can stop at the amber light signal, it will be good to have a proper traffic flow.
Sometimes you may see red and amber light together, which means you stop earlier.
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Class D Signs
The Road signals that are usually painted on the surface of roads come under the fourth category of road signs in Kenya. Most of these signs in Kenya have been painted in either yellow or white.
Some of these are painted as double lines and sometimes as single lines. Likewise, according to the traffic flow, some longitudinal lines will be painted and Transverse lines painted against the traffic flow.
The zebra crossing lines that you must be familiar with are one of the major examples of Class D road signs. This category of road signs is also referred to as carriageway markings and Kerb markings.
If you are a road user, you must have basic knowledge about all these traffic signs and also about the meaning of road signs in Kenya. The rules should be obeyed and road signs should be followed to ensure the safety of everyone in the nation.
