What is the difference in the colors of speed limit signs?
3 Answers
The difference in speed limit signs lies in their color properties, speed indications, and the speed after de-restriction. Below is a detailed introduction to the distinctions in sign colors: Properties: The de-restriction speed limit sign is black and white, featuring a '40' inside a black circle with three diagonal lines in the pattern. The speed limit sign has a red circle, white background, and black text, with a '40' inside the red circle. Speed indications: A red circle with a white background indicates the maximum speed, while a black circle with white background, black text, and diagonal lines signifies the removal of a 60 km/h speed limit. Speed after de-restriction: For example, when driving on a national highway, a particular intersection with heavy traffic may have a maximum speed limit of 60 km/h. After passing the de-restriction sign, the maximum speed reverts to the standard 80 km/h for national highways.
I've been driving for over a decade and have seen many speed limit signs. The most common ones are black text on a white background with a red circle around it, meaning you must not exceed that speed on that section of road, like the signs at highway entrances. The color design is very eye-catching, with the red border acting like a warning signal to remind you not to drive too fast and cause accidents. In some special areas like school zones or before curves, the signs may have a yellow background or red reflective strips to emphasize the sense of danger. Remembering this distinction is quite important, especially when driving at night, as recognizing colors is much faster than reading numbers. Safe driving relies on these small details, and the red-white-black combination has become an international standard, similar across countries. If you can't remember, just think of the principle of stopping at red lights – red always emphasizes rules that must not be broken.
I just passed my driving test last month as a beginner, and my instructor emphasized the colors of speed limit signs. Typically, those signs with white background and black text, surrounded by a red border, indicate the maximum speed, like the 60 signs in urban areas. The color difference is the key signal: the red border symbolizes mandatory compliance—never exceed the speed; if it's blue background with white text, it's usually an advisory speed, not mandatory. During my driving lessons, I made a mistake by not paying attention to the color distinction and got points deducted by the examiner. In daily driving, this knowledge helps me avoid fines. Road safety starts with understanding signs, and red-bordered signs are the most common and easiest to recognize.
