You’ve seen STOP, YIELD and SPEED LIMIT signs thousands of times. But every once in a while, you come across a road sign that makes you look twice.
Duck crossing? Tank crossing? Golf carts ahead?
Believe it or not, America’s roads are filled with some surprisingly specific signs. And while a few may make us smile, there’s a good reason they’re there.
Yes, There Really Is a Tank Crossing Sign
If you’re driving near a military installation, you may encounter one of the more unexpected warnings on the road: TANK CROSSING.
It sounds like something designed for a movie set, but it’s an actual traffic warning. Pennsylvania’s approved sign standards even include a designated Tank Crossing sign along with warnings for heavy equipment and other unusual roadway traffic.
The message is pretty clear: This is one vehicle you probably want to yield to.
Duck Crossing
Apparently, deer aren’t the only animals that get their own road signs.
Duck Crossing is also an officially recognized warning sign. It can be used where motorists need to watch for ducks or other waterfowl entering the roadway.
It might look whimsical, but it’s doing exactly what a good traffic sign should do: telling drivers about a hazard they might not otherwise expect.
Golf Cart Crossing
Golf carts aren’t limited to the back nine.
In communities, resorts and areas surrounding golf courses, drivers may encounter Golf Cart Crossing signs. It’s another officially recognized warning sign designed for a very specific situation.
See one of these and it’s probably wise to take your foot off the gas and keep an eye out for someone making the turn toward the 10th hole.
(SECTION WITH FUNNY SIGNS if I can find some – I’LL CALL IT – YEP! These are actual signs!)
Horse-Drawn Vehicles
Here in Pennsylvania, this one isn’t nearly as unusual.
Travel through parts of Lancaster County and other rural areas and you’ll see signs warning motorists about horse-drawn vehicles. PennDOT specifically uses these signs in areas where slow-moving horse-drawn vehicles may cross or share the roadway with motorized traffic.
For visitors to Pennsylvania, though, seeing the silhouette of a horse and buggy on a highway sign can definitely be memorable.
Snowmobiles, ATVs and Cattle... Oh My
Depending on where you’re traveling, the road ahead might include a few things you don’t encounter during the average morning commute.
Official warning signs can alert motorists to:
● Snowmobile crossings
● ATV crossings
● Cattle crossings
● Farm machinery
● Equestrian crossings
● Elk crossings
● Hiking trails
● Heavy equipment
Suddenly, Deer Crossing seems pretty ordinary.
And Then There Are the Road Conditions
Sometimes the wording itself gets your attention.
FALLEN ROCKS. GUSTY WINDS AREA. ROAD MAY FLOOD. HILL BLOCKS VIEW.
They’re short. They’re specific. And that’s exactly the point.
A driver traveling at 40, 50 or 60 miles per hour doesn’t have time to read a paragraph explaining what’s coming.
They need to know what matters, and they need to know it quickly.
Funny Sign. Serious Purpose.
That’s what all these unusual signs have in common.
Whether you’re warning someone about a duck, a tank, a horse and buggy or a construction crew working just feet from moving traffic, clear communication makes roads safer.
PennDOT describes warning signs as a way to alert motorists to hazards or changing roadway conditions early enough to recognize what’s ahead and respond appropriately.
The same principle applies inside a work zone.
Signs need to be positioned correctly. Traffic patterns need to make sense. Motorists need clear direction. And when a flagger is controlling traffic, there should never be confusion about whether a driver needs to stop, slow down or proceed.
At Summit Flagging, that’s what professional traffic control is all about.
Our certified flaggers, experienced on-site foremen and traffic control teams help create organized work zones that communicate clearly with motorists while protecting the crews working inside them.
Because whether the sign says ROAD WORK AHEAD or TANK CROSSING, the goal is ultimately the same:
Give people the right information, at the right time, so everyone gets where they’re going safely.
