Mandatory/Regulatory Road Signs

Mandatory signs are of paramount importance because they are directly related to safety and efficiency. Mandatory or regulatory signs need to be complied with and any violation of the rules and regulations conveyed by these signs is a legal offence. Mandatory/ Prohibitory signs are to indicate the prohibition upon certain kinds of vehicle manoeuvre. For example, restriction on overtaking like “Overtaking Prohibited”; restriction on parking like “Parking Prohibited”; limit on vehicle speed like “Speed Limit” and so on.

How will you identify such signs?

It is very easy. All mandatory or regulatory signs are circular except the “Stop” sign and “Give Way” sign.

The mandatory/regulatory signs are classified under the following six sub-heads based on their purpose. a) “Stop” and “Give Way” signs (Right of Way signs) b) “Prohibitory” signs c) “No Parking” and “No Stopping” signs d) “Speed Limit” and “Vehicle Control” signs e) “Restriction Ends” sign f) “Compulsory Direction Control” and other signs

Regulatory signs that indicate the beginning of a restriction or prohibition and to which direction it applies are placed on each side of the road or each side of the appropriate carriageway of a dual carriageway road. The signs are placed on one side if any of the following circumstances apply.

a) Where the restriction, requirement or prohibition applies only to one side of the road. b) At a junction where traffic turns from a one-way road into the relevant road. c) At a junction where the carriageway of the relevant road is less than 5m wide and the centre of the sign is not more than 2m from the edge of the carriageway.

Mandatory/regulatory signs are typically placed at or near the point where the instruction applies.