When studying for your driver's licence, you will learn about the devices that are used to help control traffic and to communicate information to drivers and pedestrians about road conditions. This activity will give you further information regarding these devices.

You are probably quite familiar with the variety of street signs and traffic lights that mark local roads in your area. These devices are designed to communicate to all users of the road what is and is not allowed. This permits traffic to flow smoothly and to keep drivers and pedestrians as safe as possible.

Below are some of the most common — and most important — traffic control devices you should be aware of.

• Traffic control lights — the green, yellow/amber, and red light system — are designed to allow drivers to reduce the momentum of their vehicles gradually to avoid sudden stops that could injure drivers and their passengers as well as lead to rear-end collisions. Traffic designers base the timing of the lights on the speed limit on the roadway as well as the volume of traffic going various directions at various times of the day to try to allow traffic to move with a minimum of stops. At especially busy intersections, advance warning lights let you know that you are approaching an intersection where you might have to stop. These give you more time to decrease your momentum.

• On streets that have less traffic, stop signs or yield signs rather than lights are used to control the movement of traffic.

• Speed limits are another very important element of roadway safety. The limit is intended to be the maximum speed at which drivers should travel to be safe under ideal road and weather conditions.

• Traffic signs let drivers know what to expect on the road ahead, such as sharp turns, bumps in the road, or a change in the traffic pattern.

Drivers must be aware of the signs and lights on the road so they can plan ahead and avoid dangerous situations.