Traffic Signs
Here at Easy Way Car Rental we would like to give you a primer on driving in Mexico!
First and foremost we want you to safely enjoy your vacation. And that safety starts on the roads.
THE TOPES:
So lets start with a “bumpy tutorial” and one of the most important signs for you to look for. That is the Topes sign. A topes is a speed bump that can be a few dimples in the road to one and a half foot tall and many feet wide. These are not to be taken lightly and hve been known to smash a front windsheild when gone over too fast.
In the tourist areas the Topes are very well marked. But in local areas and off the beaten path the signs are sometimes not the most notable and they lack much needed yellow paint.
Figure 1 The Topes sign
INSPECTION STATIONS:
You will see many inspection stations whether on the highway to Tulum or driving in Cancun to the hotel zone. Most of the time they wll just wave you through so no need to be concerned.
ROUNDABOUTS:
Although the roundabout is becoming more common in the United States you will find them very common in Mexico. Don’t worry just be cautious and you will get used to them very quickly. Alos note that most roundabouts have a topes before they begin so traffic is going slower on the merge.
NO TURNING ON RED:
One other big difference to the United States or Canada is turning right on red. Sure there is no signs to say not to but you dont want to meet the Transit police.
THOSE FLASHING LIGHTS AREN’T FOR YOU (we hope):
The police in Cancun and elsewhere always have their lights flashing. Always. Unless the sirens are going you dont have to worry about getting out of the way.
Curve
Sharp Curve
Like the previous one this type of transit signal is used to indicate curves to the right or left with a curvature greater than 90 degrees.
Winding Road
It means the presence of two or more inverse curves along the way.
Curves
This transit signal is used to indicate two continuous turns going in the opposite direction.
Severe Curves
Este señalamiento indica la presencia de dos curvas continuas en donde la primera de ellas es cerrada.
Crossing
Warns of the crossing of two roads. The wider line will point to the main road while the narrowest ones is the secondary road.
Junction
Indicates the presence of a street that dead ends with the main one. The thick line shows the main road and narrows the secondary road where cars must give way.
Fork
Warns of the division of the road. The signal can be left or right.
Delta junction
It is used to signal a three-way intersection. The main path will be the widest line, while the secondary ones with a narrower line.
Y-fork
This traffic signal warns of the fork of the road. The main road will be the thickest line.
Roundabout
It warns of the presence of a roundabout in which at least two paths are located.
Merging of cars
This type of signaling warns about the merging of traffic going in the same direction. The incorporation will be on the side that marks the thinnest line.
2 way traffic is beginning
Signaling is used to mark the change from one-way circulation to two-way circulation.
Exit
Indicates the exit of a main road. The thin line will indicate whether the output is left or right.
Reducing the road
Warns about reducing the width of the road. Conversely indicates the widening of the path.
Reducing the lane
It points to the reduction of the road on either side. The signaling will indicate whether the reduction is left or right.
Drawbridge
Indicates the presence of a drawbridge along the way. A drawbridge can move horizontally to allow boats to pass through.
Workers along the way
The sign indicates the presence of workers on the way.
Width limit
The signal is used to indicate a narrow road that does not allow the movement of two vehicles simultaneously. It is usually accompanied by an additional board that indicates the exact width of the road.
Height limits
Indicates the space limit vertically when less than 4.30 meters. Normally a second board indicates the maximum height.
Water stream
Warns of a low water stream that crosses a road
End of Pavement
End to the paved road
Slippery roads when wet
Slippery roads
Dangerous slope
Severe Slope
Falling rocks
Beware of falling rocks.
Stop sign ahead
It is one of the least known but very common preventive traffic signals. Warns of a close stop sign.
Pedestrain Crossing
Indicates a path with constant pedestrian crossing or a specific pedestrian crossing.
School Zone
Warns about a nearby school area for the driver to slow down.
Cattle Corssing
Beware of farm animals crossing.
Railroad crossing
Point to the crossing with train tracks at the same level of the road.
Agricultural machinery
It is used to mark a transit zone of agricultural machinery or a specific crossing of such vehicles.
Semáforo
Este señalamiento advierte sobre la presencia de un semáforo próximo, normalmente en cruces o en zonas donde no se espera hallarlos.
Divided road
This traffic signal warns of the splitting of the road in two.
Cyclists
Warn about a road frequented by cyclists or a specific crossing of these vehicles.
Loose gravel
Loose gravel on the raod.
Restrictive traffic signals
Restrictive traffic signals warn of physical or regulatory restrictions on movement. They are usually red and placed on poles in both urban and rural areas.
Stop
It is one of the best known road signs whose meaning. It is mainly used in four situations:
1. In the junction of two roads with great influx.
2. On the junction of a secondary road with a main road.
3. At the crossroads of any road with a railway line.
4. At urban crossings where there is a high risk of accidents.
For any of the situations the signal will be placed on the road with the least influx of traffic.
Give way
This signal is a warning for drivers to slow down and give way whenever necessary. It is occupied in areas of traffic of pedestrians and vehicles or in junctions with main avenues.
Inspection
Indicates the presence of transit authorities.
Top speed
This type of transit signal indicates the maximum speed limit for driving. Remember that with the new CDMX transit regulations the speed limit is 80 km/h.
Continuous lap
Indicates the possibility of turning around. Its use is common in crosses. The signal can dial left and right.
Shows a one way street
Shows the direction of circulation. It is used in street entrances to prevent invasion of single-traffic lanes.
No passing
No passing
Trucks keep right
Urge truck drivers to keep their right to leave the left lane free for light vehicles.
Where a one way street changes to two
Used to indicate when circulation changes from one direction to both. The signs are placed at the beginning of the street.
Restricted height
This type of traffic signal is used to indicate the vehicle height limit for driving on a road. She's busy at the bridge entrance.
Restricted width
The signaling indicates the width limit of vehicles to drive on a road.
Restricted weight
Warns about the maximum weight of vehicles to drive on a road.
Seatbelts required
Seatbelts required
Banned stop
It is used to tell public transport drivers the ban on getting on or off on site.
No stop
The signal prohibits vehicles from stopping. It is used in fast-running avenues, as well as in emergency entrances and exits.
Parking
Indicates that it is possible to park on site. It is accompanied by time constraints, schedules and days where you can park.
No parking
It is used in areas where parking is prohibited.
Forbidden right turn
Prohibits turning right either by opposing circulation or road conditions.
Forbidden return
Indicates that the return of cars by this crossing is prohibited. It may be because it poses an extra danger or causes traffic problems.
Forbidden to go head-on
The traffic signal indicates that it is forbidden to continue circulating head-on.
No passage to motorcycles, heavy vehicles and bicycles
Indicates the prohibition on driving these vehicles in an area. It can appear individually as well.
No passage to agricultural machinery
No agricultural machinery
No pedestrian
No pedestrians on road
Banned from using the horn
Do not use the horn
Informational traffic signals
Informational traffic signals aim to guide the user on their way around the location of emergency services, tourist attractions, mileage and recommendations when traveling.
They are classified into four types of traffic signals.
1. Signs of services and tourism
2. Target signals
3. Identification signals
4. Signs of recommendation and general information
Signs of services and Tourists
Such transit signs guide the driver on nearby tourist attractions, lodging services and outdoor recreational activities. They also indicate the location of emergency or assistance services.
First Aid
Information offices
Telephone
Gas Station
Post Office
Mechanic
Bathroom
Restaurant
Hospital
Railway station
End of highway
Crafts
Tourist Zone
Outdoor dining
Trash cans
Volcano
National Park
Camping Zone
Children's games
Fishing
Excursion
Religious Monument
Historic Site
Waterfall
Diving
Beach
Swimming
Climing
Destination signs
Identification signals
These signs are used to identify streets by name and roads by mileage and number. Te compartimos las principales señales de transito de identificación y su significado.
Signs of recommendation and general information
