The Importance of “Do Not Enter” Signs

What Are “Do Not Enter” Signs?

“Do Not Enter” signs are used for a variety of situations. Regulatory signs are red and white and are extremely important as they are road signs that warn you that traffic will be coming at you if you enter. You may also notice these signs at facilities that contain a restricted area. Dangerous zones will also contain these signs and these are often located on open property that one could easily enter if such signs were not posted. This could mean someone unknowingly entered a dangerous area. If you see a “Do Not Enter” sign, whether it be street signs or for a restricted area, such as a construction zone or inside a facility, then it is best to obey the sign to ensure your safety. Specific reasons to use these signs include the following:

• Security - You want to keep your building or office safe. Also keep any restricted areas that contain confidential data closed off so that only authorized personnel should have access.
• Safety - You want to restrict access to certain areas because allowing just anyone to enter could pose safety risks to you or the other person.
• Traffic Control - Traffic signs are used to direct the flow of traffic and may be used for one-way entrances or streets. They are also used with on/off-ramps to freeways which help to avoid collisions.
• Overall Awareness - You want to provide a general warning to those around you to stay away from certain areas which will give you peace of mind knowing you're keeping your property secure and the people around you safe.

Why Are “Do Not Enter” Signs Important

The purpose of “Do Not Enter” signs is to keep people safe from potential hazards. If you see such a sign, you should always obey it. Failure to do so can leave you with disastrous consequences. Without “Do Not Enter” signs, preventable accidents will happen and could even mean a lawsuit for you if it happens in your facility or on your property. If you are overseeing a dangerous area that only certain people should have access to, then it's your responsibility to post “Do Not Enter” signs to warn the general public to stay out. You'll see these signs in a variety of settings, such as facilities, danger zones and while you're driving.

Signs in Facilities

If you see a “Do Not Enter” sign in any facility, you should obey the sign. It is there for a good reason. Failing to obey the sign can put you or others in danger. If you're in a facility, such as a hospital, you are likely to see these signs posted in restricted areas. Only authorized personnel are allowed to enter such areas. These areas may be restricted because they are dangerous or hazardous. The laboratory in a hospital is restricted because it contains harmful chemicals and biological hazards. If there were no signs to tell you to stay out of that area, you might walk right into the laboratory where you'd be exposed to chemical or unknown diseases. Other areas, such as offices, might be restricted because they contain sensitive and confidential data. Although there is no direct danger involved, it is still necessary to post a “Do Not Enter” sign so that you can keep the area secure.

Signs On the Road

A common place to see “Do Not Enter” signs is on the roadway when you are driving. This sign is so important that in many jurisdictions, you're required to obey this sign to pass your driver's test. Failure to do so means an automatic failure. When you see this regulatory street sign it means that you're about to face opposing traffic and that you'll be going the wrong way. Failure to obey these signs could have disastrous consequences if not death. If you're entering a highway going the wrong way, you're at a high risk of having a head-on crash which can be deadly, especially since the traffic coming at you will be coming at a high rate of speed. You are likely to encounter these road signs at on-ramps to highways and one-way streets. It is especially important to pay close attention to these street signs when you see them to avoid disrupting the flow of traffic or even worse, a traffic collision.

Signs in Danger Zones

Dangerous areas require the use of “Do Not Enter” signs. Without them, unsuspecting people may wander into an area and put themselves in great danger. One example of such an area would be a construction zone. If the area isn't blocked off, it may be difficult for someone to know that the area is dangerous. Maybe it doesn't look threatening so it can be tempting to walk around the area and see what's going on. It's especially tempting for kids because it can look like a lot of fun. Kids want to look at all the heavy equipment, play on the dirt pile and jump off the foundation. But, what most people don't realize is that construction zones have a lot of hidden dangers. For construction areas and other similar areas, it is necessary to use “Do Not Enter” signs. Even though it is impossible to physically monitor a site continually, you can warn people to stay away by posting a sign. If it is your property, then it's your responsibility to post the sign to warn others of the danger and attempt to keep everyone safe.

Whether a “Do Not Enter”sign is posted on a property, in a building or a street sign, it is always wise to listen to what the sign is telling you. Failure to do so can put you and others in danger and could even pose a death threat. Just remember that the sign is there for a reason. It is to keep you away from danger. Even if the area doesn't look risky but there is a “Do Not Enter” sign, do just as it says and stay away.