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A traffic warning sign is a type of traffic sign that indicates a hazard ahead on the road.
In most countries outside of North America, they often take the shape of an equilateral triangle with a thick red border and a white background.
In the People's Republic of China, however, they appear with a black border and a yellow background. In Sweden and Finland they have a red border with a yellow background, this is due to the weather as easier to see a red/yellow sign in the snowy weather then a red/white sign.
In the United States and Canada, warning signs are black on yellow and usually diamond-shaped, and construction signs are black on orange. Ireland also adopted these standards, diverging from UK standards. Some other countries also use these standards for some signage.
Warning signs
Warning signs can indicate any potential hazard, such as:
Wild Animals
Wild animals such as horses that can stray onto the road.
Road works or construction
Indicates road works or construction ahead on the road.
Bends
Signs indicating a sharp bend on a road. Used to indicate unexpected bends in the road, some being continuous, others being sharp-ended.
Tunnels
Used to indicate tunnels, where lights are usually required, and a general change in the light level.
Traffic Lights
Sign warning of a tunnel and traffic lights in Switzerland. Used to indicate traffic lights, present when it is likely that a traffic light may already be showing red, to warn a driver to prepare to slow down.
Level Crossings
Warns drivers of crossings at even level. (Compare with bridges/overpasses/viaducts).
Pedestrians
Used to warn drivers of people crossing the street. In many jurisdictions a person on the zebra stripes has legal priority over the vehicle.
In parts of the United States near the southern border with Mexico, there are warning signs showing a running family. This is to warn motorists to look out for illegal immigrants who try to escape authorities by running through freeway traffic.
Oncoming Traffic
Used to warn people of oncoming traffic; shown when a motorway becomes a dual carriageway or a normal road without a central reservation or median.
Railway Crossings
Used to warn people of railway crossings. Be careful, barriers may already be down, or a train may already be passing through the crossing area!
Falling Rocks
Used to indicate the risk of falling rocks on the road.
The Unexpected
For example, a warning sign with the image of an aircraft in the middle of it indicates an airport or airfield, where drivers should be prepared for low-flying aircraft.
General dangers are signalled by placing a black exclamation mark in the middle of the red triangle.
Side Wind
Flying socks, as indicated by a windsock in a red triangle, indicate locations where a strong side wind may cause the trajectory of the moving vehicle to change drastically, perhaps even "flying" across lanes, causing an accident.
Slow Down
Used at least in China, this sign advises drivers to slow down.
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