Important Road Signs - Part 3

Zebras are horses from Africa. They have black-and-white striped coats. Because of its stripes, a pedestrian crossing is often called a “zebra crossing”. Pedestrians have the right to cross the road at a zebra crossing. All vehicles must stop as soon as pedestrians are on the crossing, and remain stopped until they have crossed. Even so, pedestrians should be especially careful, because they are the most vulnerable road users.

Our cities have streets reserved for pedestrians. These are called “pedestrian zones.” Cycling is not allowed in a pedestrian zone, or is allowed only at specially signposted times. Delivery vehicles need a special permit to enter. The picture shows a pedestrian zone where you can cycle from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. During the day, you have to walk your bike.

This is the end of the pedestrian zone. Beyond this sign, you can ride your bike again. But how fast are you allowed to go? You can see from the two signs showing 20.

When there is a lot of traffic on a road, it is dangerous to cross it. A blue sign with a white arrow then indicates that you may only turn right onto that road. The picture above also shows the “Give Way” sign. Both signs are at the exit of a car park onto a main road. Drivers must take particular care when turning onto the road from the car park. There are also signs with an arrow pointing left. In that case, drivers must turn left.

These roads are sometimes called expressways. Only vehicles capable of traveling faster than 60 km/h are allowed here. Your bicycle can't go that fast, so you are not allowed to ride on a road marked this way. Pedestrians are not allowed on these roads either. Tractors are an exception.

A railway line crosses the road here. There are three safety measures:

• When a train approaches, a warning light system starts flashing red.
• At the same time, the half-barriers come down.
• The St Andrew’s cross also indicates the railway crossing.

Once the warning lights start flashing and the half barriers come down, you must not cross the railway crossing. Wait until the train has passed, the lights have gone out and the barriers have opened again.

From this sign onward, motor vehicles may travel at no more than 30 km/h. This is also called a traffic-calmed zone. The speed limit is there to protect children, pedestrians, and cyclists. The zone eventually ends, too. This is indicated by a special sign with the number 30 crossed out.

Once your mom or dad has passed this sign in their car, they are no longer allowed to stop—not even to let you out for just a moment. These signs are usually placed where stopping could obstruct other road users.

The picture shows a traffic light, but it isn’t lit. It only switches on when a pedestrian or cyclist has pressed a button. Such a traffic light is also called a “dark traffic light.” You need to be very careful at a dark traffic light. Always press the button and wait for the green light. You should only cross the road once you’re sure that approaching cars have actually stopped. There are no signs indicating a dark traffic light.