The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
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CONTROLS
Lane Signals
Lane signals are used:
• when the direction of the flow of traffic changes during
the day.
• to show that a toll booth is open or closed.
• to show which lanes are opened or closed.
Red X.
Never drive in a lane under the red X.
Yellow X.
The lane signal is about to turn red.
Green Arrow.
You may use this lane and you must also
obey all other signs and signals.
Ramp Signals
Ramp Signals:
• control the rate of vehicles entering an expressway.
• alternate between red and green; you must wait for the
green signal before entering the expressway.
Pedestrian Signals
Pedestrian signals show words or pictures to indicate when
it is safe—or not—to use the crosswalk.
WALK
or
“walking person.” You
may begin to cross the
street.
DON’T WALK
or
“raised hand.” You may not begin
crossing. If you are already in the crosswalk when this
signal begins flashing, you should finish crossing the street.
Countdown Signal.
Shows a countdown time period
based on walking speed and crossing distance. The
countdown starts at the beginning of the “DON’T
START” or flashing hand phase and ends with a zero and a
“DON’T WALK” or solid red hand.
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©2017 Florida Department of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles
School Zone Signs & Signals
School Sign
. You are near a school. Watch for children at
all times, not just during school hours.
School Crossing
. Slow down and watch for children
crossing the road. Stop if necessary. Obey signals from any
crossing guards.
Begin School Zone
. Do not
exceed the school zone speed
limit during indicated times or when light is flashing.
End School Zone
. Marks the end of a reduced speed
school zone.
Railroad Crossing Signs & Signals
There are several signs, signals, and pavement markings
that indicate highway-railroad crossings. When you see
any of these, slow down and be ready to stop.
Do not stop
on the tracks or within 15 feet of the crossing.
Any driver or pedestrian approaching a railroad-highway
grade crossing must stop within 50 feet, but not less than
15 feet, from the nearest rail of the railroad when:
• the warning devices are flashing.
• the crossing gate is lowered.
• a human flagger is warning of an approaching train.
• an approaching train is clearly visible.
Pavement Marking.
Markings may be painted on the
paved approach to a crossing before the stop line.
Advance Warning Sign.
This is usually the first sign you
see when approaching a highway-rail intersection.
Crossbuck Sign.
These are yield signs;
you must yield
the right-of-way to trains. A sign below the crossbuck will
show the number of tracks if there is more than one track.
Flashing Red Light Signals.
At many crossings, the
crossbuck sign has flashing red lights and bells. When the
lights begin to flash...stop! A train is approaching.
Zones of Caution
The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
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Gates
. Many crossings have gates with flashing red lights
and bells. Stop when the lights
begin to flash and before
the gate lowers across your road lane.
It is against the law
to drive around or under a crossing gate—either down
or while being opened or closed—and it is extremely
dangerous.
Remember:
• Slow down when approaching railroad crossings.
• Be prepared to stop especially when following buses or
trucks; many are required to stop at railroad crossings
even when gates are up/lights are not flashing.
• If there is more than one track,
make sure all tracks are
clear before crossing.
• In heavy traffic, make sure there is room for your
vehicle on the other side of the track before crossing.
• Trains often
appear to be traveling at a slower speed
than they actually are, and they cannot stop quickly.
Don’t try to “beat the train;” the train always wins.
Drawbridge Signs & Signals
Drawbridges are mechanical bridges
over navigable waters
that raise or turn to allow marine traffic to go under them.
Flashing Yellow Signal.
When the yellow light is flashing,
the drawbridge is in operation. Slow down and prepare to
stop.
Drawbridge Signal
•
Red. Come to a complete stop at the marked stop line.
The bridge is in operation and the roadway is closed to
all pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic.
•
Yellow. The light is about to turn red. Stop if you can
safely do so. The bridge is about to start operation.
•
Green. Proceed with caution.
Gates.
Many drawbridges have gates with flashing red
lights and bells. Stop when the
lights begin to flash and
before the gate lowers across your road lane.
Not only is
it against the law to drive around or under a crossing
gate—either down or while being opened or closed—it
is extremely dangerous.
