#Ratings: Road Signs

Yellow Stop Sign

One of these stood on a back street in the small rural town where my grandmother lived, and visiting her was an invitation to see what I thought was somebody's mistake on public view.  Stop signs aren't yellow - they're red!  Everyone knows that!  But no, stop signs were yellow until the 1950s, their color chosen largely on the unavailability of red pigments that would not fade on exposure.  No red dye for stop signs, no red dye for M&Ms.  This sign was a holdover from a bygone era and stupidly replaced at some point in the 1990s.  I'd give teeth to own an authentic one as a wall decoration. (A)

Yield

There are only a few triangular signs, so in terms of shape, this one gets high marks.  In terms of what it conveys, I think most people could stand to attend some driver's education courses.  Drivers either treat them like stop signs (stop when they don’t have to) or invisible stop signs (stop when they should have). (B)

Minimum Speed

I've always found it funny the maximum speed sign is labeled "Speed Limit" and not "Maximum Speed".  If they were, they'd go great alongside the "Minimum Speed" sign, one I've seen sparingly over the years.  I realize these signs serve a purpose, but drivers on most roads I'm on are going faster than the maximum speed anyway, so a minimum speed sign comes across as irrelevant. (C)

Advanced Intersection Lane Control

These have always ticked me off.  I don't know how often I've been on a road for the first time and assumed I was in the lane going straight.  Nope.  It's not until I'm at the intersection do I realize I have to turn.  I later discover the lane control sign was posted but, it seems, too close to the intersection.  By the time I see it I'm stuck where I am and have to go through in accordance with the lane.  I dunno - maybe move the sign back a bit?  (C-)

No Passing Zone

I grew up with these triangular signs and long thought they were welcomed when lane lines faded, or people needed extra encouragement not to drive dangerously.  It's another yellow sign from my youth that I think should be more famous. (B+)

School

As long as I've seen this yellow sign I've long wondered the identity of the models depicted in the pentagram.  And since it is a pentagram, could these two be the subject of some silly séance, some spectral students stalking the living?  Maybe these two were killed by a careless driver, and their image serves as a reminder for the living to slow down?  Sure! (B+)