Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Int'l traffic signs - my obsession

As we drive around this week, I'll likely add to this posting.  As far as I know, all European states use 'international traffic signs' with little to no wording that are standard, so people can understand them regardless of their language.  This makes for some interesting interpretations to begin with, but once you figure out the context, they make sense.

For example:



Three hashes, followed by two hashes, followed by one hash (is not signifying military rank), but is followed by an exit sign.

A white triangle with a red outline is a "warning" sign.  You should be aware of whatever is inside the triangle.  The joke in our car is that whatever is in the triangle is "dangerous".  So we have "dangerous sheep"
 And "dangerous horses"
We passed a warning sign today with a pictogram and added language "red squirrels" - I'm not sure how these require a warning, but we all busted out laughing when we saw it!

"Dangerous Elderly people"??!  (Really just a warning that slower folks might be crossing the road near a retirement center).
 Dangerous cows
 Dangerous school kids...

I think this one is my favorite:  No Drones (near one of the castles) 

Dangerous winds (let me tell you, with the way the winds were blowing here, they've never been to Kansas!)

When you successfully “translate” some of the international traffic signs, it feels like magic.  Scott has been driving narrow windy roads for the whole trip with lots of arrow signs on the curves.  Toward the end of the trip we decided that the number of arrows (single, double, triple) signifies the sharpness of the turn and thus the requisite change in speed that is needed.  Makes it much easier to drive when you know whether the “Slower” sign painted on the pavement means a little or a lot.





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