Reasons to Obey Traffic Safety Signs

The numerous traffic safety signs you see when you’re out and about play an important role in keeping motorists, road users and pedestrians safe. Each year, there are thousands of accidents in the United States, and many of these accidents are the result of distracted or careless driving, or failing to obey traffic safety signs. There are several valid reasons to obey traffic safety signs, some of which you may not have considered. In any case, a refresher course never hurts. Here's three reason to always take note of traffic safety signs every time you go out.

Reason One: You'll Learn About Obstacles that May Not be Visible

We've all driven through unfamiliar areas before, and this can be a stressful experience. You don't have the same knowledge of road hazards that the locals do, and this can lead to accidents. However, traffic safety signs work to give you an idea of what can be coming up around the next bend.

You may see signs warning you about closed lanes, construction work, blind spots, or sharp turns. Ignoring these warnings can lead to injuries and accidents that could be avoidable. They also warn about possible invisible obstacles like animal crossings, winding roads, or men at work. All of these things may be familiar to a local, but if you're a motorist that is just passing through, you wouldn't know any better without the safety signs to warn you.

Reason Two: They Can Save Someone's Life, and They Can Save You Money

If you choose to ignore the traffic signs, you could be setting yourself up for a pricey ticket. By following traffic safety signs like stop signs or speed limits, you're doing your part to keep the roads a safer place, and they also keep you from potentially breaking any laws. The six to ten seconds it takes you to stop at a stop sign is worth it when you realize you could get upwards of a $300 ticket for running the stop sign.

The signs also help to prevent injuries or death. For example, the Children at Play signs around playgrounds and schools signs are some of the most important safety signs you'll find. Children have been hit and run over by motorists who didn't see them and claimed the children were too short. By paying attention to the signs, you can avoid causing potentially life-threatening injuries, ruining other people's lives, and changing the course of your own life forever.

Reason Three: Everyone Will be on the Same Page

It is safe to say that every motorist will see the same traffic safety signs as you do if they're in the same area. If everyone follows these signs, everyone will be on the same page information-wise. Many vehicle accidents are the result of a single driver not paying attention, and these accidents are avoidable if everyone pays attention. Every sign gives universal information, but it pays to be cautious.

You can find traffic safety signs like one way stop, speed limits, stop signs, and yield signs in easy-to-see locations with the goal of giving every driver the same information. They want to ensure that every driver is following them so other motorists and pedestrians are as safe as they can be while they're near or on the road. If everyone pays attention, the likelihood of a car accident decreases, and this can save you time, money, and possibly a life.

Traffic safety signs have been around for decades, and drivers are beginning to pay closer attention to the message they're sending. Whether you're a new driver or a veteran driver, everyone benefits from following what the signs are telling you.