Editing Traffic sign (section)

{{Short description|Signboard displaying information for road users}}
{{Redirect|Signpost|the English Wikipedia's newspaper|The Signpost|other uses|Signpost (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Street sign|signs to identify named roads|Street name sign}}

[[File:A2Warrego.png|thumb|right|A "[[Mileage sign|route confirmation]]" sign on the [[Warrego Highway]] in [[Queensland]], Australia, informing motorists of their distance (in [[kilometer|kilometres]]) from the places listed]]
[[File:Sturminster Marshall, new signage on the A350 - geograph.org.uk - 1741455.jpg|thumb|right|[[Fingerpost]]s and other road signage in the English village of [[Sturminster Marshall]], near [[Poole]]]]'''Traffic signs''' or '''road signs''' are [[signage|signs]] erected at the side of or above [[road]]s to give instructions or provide information to road users. The earliest signs were simple wooden or stone [[Milestone|milestones]]. Later, signs with directional arms were introduced, for example the [[fingerpost]]s in the United Kingdom and their [[Saxon post milestone|wooden counterparts in Saxony]].
[[File:Traffic sign in London.png|alt=Traffic sign in London|thumb|Traffic sign in London]]
With traffic volumes increasing since the 1930s, many countries have adopted [[Pictogram|pictorial]] signs or otherwise simplified and standardized their signs to overcome language barriers, and enhance traffic safety. Such pictorial signs use symbols (often silhouettes) in place of words and are usually based on international protocols. Such signs were first developed in Europe, and have been adopted by most countries to varying degrees.
[[File:Road sign in Åland.jpg|thumb|right|Road sign for [[roundabout]] leading to highways [[Åland Islands Highway 1|1]], [[Åland Islands Highway 2|2]] and [[Åland Islands Highway 3|3]] in [[Mariehamn]], Åland]]
[[File:Remote areas ahead.jpg|thumb|right|Sign in Australia reminding drivers to carry adequate supplies before entering [[Deserts of Australia|remote areas]]]]