Michigan video lessons · Lesson 1 of 10
Michigan Signals, Signs and Markings: five situations explained
In this video
- Intro
- What does a fluorescent pink sign mean in Michigan?
- What do white triangles painted across a lane mean?
- Once crossing lights and gates activate, about how long until the train arrives?
- A yellow sign reads 12′6″ between arrows. What does it tell you?
- A yellow diamond shows a walking person. What should you do?
- Recap
In short
Fluorescent pink is used for incident, emergency or unplanned event signs. White triangles across a lane indicate you should be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians; stop behind them. Once the lights and gates are activated, or you hear the horn, you have about 20 seconds before the train arrives.
The five situations
Pick an answer first, the way the video pauses for you. Each one cites What Every Driver Must Know.
Situation 1
What does a fluorescent pink sign mean in Michigan?
Answer: A. An incident, emergency or unplanned event. Fluorescent pink is used for incident, emergency or unplanned event signs.
What Every Driver Must Know › Chapter 5 › Sign colors
Situation 2
What do white triangles painted across a lane mean?
Answer: A. Be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians. White triangles across a lane indicate you should be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians; stop behind them.
What Every Driver Must Know › Chapter 5 › Yield lines
Situation 3
Once crossing lights and gates activate, about how long until the train arrives?
Answer: C. About 20 seconds. Once the lights and gates are activated, or you hear the horn, you have about 20 seconds before the train arrives.
What Every Driver Must Know › Chapter 4 › If you are stuck on the tracks
Situation 4
A yellow sign reads 12′6″ between arrows. What does it tell you?
Answer: B. The maximum clearance under a structure is 12 feet 6 inches. Maximum Height Allowed: the clearance under a bridge or structure is 12 feet, 6 inches.
What Every Driver Must Know › Chapter 5 › Traffic sign challenge
Situation 5
A yellow diamond shows a walking person. What should you do?
Answer: B. Watch for pedestrians and drive carefully. Watch for Pedestrians: pedestrians may be in the area; drive carefully.
What Every Driver Must Know › Chapter 5 › Traffic sign challenge
Transcript
Intro
Signs, signals and road markings talk to you in shapes and colors. Let's decode five of them from Michigan's What Every Driver Must Know. For each one, pick your answer before I reveal it.
Situation 1
A fluorescent pink sign appears by the road, something you don't see every day. What does a fluorescent pink sign mean in Michigan? The answer is A: An incident, emergency or unplanned event. Fluorescent pink is used for incident, emergency or unplanned event signs. Fluorescent pink is used for incident, emergency or unplanned event signs. Expect something unusual ahead.
Situation 2
Approaching a crosswalk, you see a row of white triangles painted across your lane, pointing toward you. What do white triangles painted across a lane mean? The answer is A: Be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians. White triangles across a lane indicate you should be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians; stop behind them. Those triangles are a yield line. Be ready to stop behind them for pedestrians.
Situation 3
As you near a crossing, the red lights start flashing and the gates begin to come down. Once crossing lights and gates activate, about how long until the train arrives? The answer is C: About 20 seconds. Once the lights and gates are activated, or you hear the horn, you have about 20 seconds before the train arrives. From the moment the lights and gates activate, you have about 20 seconds before the train arrives. Never try to beat it.
Situation 4
A yellow sign shows 12 feet 6 inches between two arrows as you near a bridge. A yellow sign reads 12′6″ between arrows. What does it tell you? The answer is B: The maximum clearance under a structure is 12 feet 6 inches. Maximum Height Allowed: the clearance under a bridge or structure is 12 feet, 6 inches. That's the maximum height that fits under the structure. If your vehicle is taller, find another route.
Situation 5
A yellow diamond sign shows the outline of a person walking. A yellow diamond shows a walking person. What should you do? The answer is B: Watch for pedestrians and drive carefully. Watch for Pedestrians: pedestrians may be in the area; drive carefully. People on foot may be in the area. Slow down, watch the edges of the road, and drive carefully.
Recap
Fluorescent pink is used for incident, emergency or unplanned event signs. White triangles across a lane indicate you should be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians; stop behind them. Once the lights and gates are activated, or you hear the horn, you have about 20 seconds before the train arrives. Maximum Height Allowed: the clearance under a bridge or structure is 12 feet, 6 inches. Watch for Pedestrians: pedestrians may be in the area; drive carefully. Nice work. Try more signs and signals questions in Practice by Topic, then test yourself with a full mock exam.
The rules in this lesson
- Fluorescent pink is used for incident, emergency or unplanned event signs.
- White triangles across a lane indicate you should be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians; stop behind them.
- Once the lights and gates are activated, or you hear the horn, you have about 20 seconds before the train arrives.
- Maximum Height Allowed: the clearance under a bridge or structure is 12 feet, 6 inches.
- Watch for Pedestrians: pedestrians may be in the area; drive carefully.
Original practice lesson written from What Every Driver Must Know. EstatePass is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Michigan SOS; these are not official test questions.