If you drive in Canada, you may have noticed that we have some pretty interesting road signs to warn drivers or inform them or what is ahead. Some are more well known than others, but do you know what all of these signs mean?
Deer Crossing
This one is pretty common across Canada in the provincial and national parks. This is a sign to warn drivers of a potential deer crossing. In Ontario, there were 145 injuries and one death from wildlife related accidents in 2018. If you see this sign while you are operating a motor vehicle, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings as a deer or other wildlife could be crossing the roadway at any time.
Swirly Looking Plant?
Unless you’re a local or frequent New Brunswick, this one will probably have you stumped. No, it’s not some random swirly looking plant that you need to be aware of. This is the sign for the “River-Valley Scenic Drive”. New Brunswick decided to use this sign for the 512 km scenic route through the province. If you want to know more about the drive, the scenery and how to get to it, you can find more information here.
Beaver Dam Ahead?
If you didn’t know any better, this could be easily mistaken as a warning for a beaver dam or beaver habitat ahead. This is actually a sign for Parks Canada. If you’re in need of some info about the national park as you’re driving through, this sign will help you find a booth or kiosk.
Falling Rocks!
This sign warns drivers and tourists of the potential for falling rocks. Some of our highways run along areas that are prone to having rocks fall on the roadway which poses a potential danger to motorists. This may also mean that the stretch of highway could experience closures due to rock slides as well. If you’re traveling on a highway that has the potential for falling rocks, please use caution!
Dreaming of Eggs?
What does an egg have to do with someone sleeping? It’s kind of a poor representation of the intended meaning. But the general idea of this sign is to inform drivers that there is a bed and breakfast nearby. Quit dreaming of eggs. Rest up, have some breakfast and hit the road again.
Friendly Farmers Ahead?
Well, there probably are some friendly farmers at this destination. But that’s not quite what this sign is getting at. This sign is to inform drivers that there is an agri-tourism destination ahead. If you’ve been wanting to visit a farm to see how things work or learn more about farming, you’re on the right track! These friendly farmers will give you a tour of their farm.
Pavement Ends
Why does it look like the road turns into lava? There have been many different interpretations of this sign over the years. The real meaning behind this sign is that the paved portion of the road is coming to an end and it will likely turn into a gravel road. Not nearly as dangerous as driving into lava but definitely some critical information for drivers traveling down that particular road. If you see this sign, definitely check your speed and prepare for a bumpy road ahead.
Custom Pottery for Sale?
This sign signifies that there are local artisans nearby. Pottery would be made by a local artisan but there are likely many other things available as well. If you’re looking for something unique or sentimental to remember your road trip, this sign is for you!
Bike Lanes
Here is something that is becoming increasingly more popular in Canada. This sign signifies that there is a dedicated bike lane on that particular roadway. Bike lanes make the roads safer for cyclists and motorists alike. In 2017, the implementation of bike lanes actually reduced car crashes by 71% in Toronto.
Snowmobiles on the Roadway
Here’s a sign you will likely only see in the great white north. This sign means that there could be snowmobiles crossing the roadway. In some provinces, snowmobile trail networks run along parts of the road and cross different roadways as well. If you see this sign, watch out for snowmobiles on the road. Like motorcycles, they are smaller than other motor vehicles and can be hard to see for some motorists.
HOV Lanes
This sign is only really common in larger cities like Vancouver and Toronto. HOV stands for “High Occupancy Vehicle”. These are special lanes on major roadways for vehicles that are carrying more than one person. This is an interesting way to encourage people to carpool and reduce congestion on some of the busiest roads in a city. These lanes tend to be less busy than the other lanes and help carpoolers reach their destination quicker. It’s a win-win situation and helps cut back on pollution as well.
Depending on where you live or where you’ve driven, you may or may not have seen some of these road signs before. Whatever the case, EverLine Coatings and Services have been installing signs to keep our roads safe for years. If you need signage for your roadway, parking lot or property, get in touch with one of our EverLine locations today.
