Utah Road Signs (A Complete Guide)

Road signs are essential to keeping everyone on the road safe.

This is why we’re here to make sure you know about the Utah road signs.

Not just that, we’ll also look at the traffic signals and pavement markings.

Knowing all this will help you:

Ace the knowledge test
Avoid citations and fines
Be a better and safer driver

If you want to fulfill any of these — then buckle up and let’s go!

Utah Traffic Signals

Let’s start with the most basic.

If you’re a driver (or even if you aren’t), you probably already know the traffic signals.

But let’s still go over them.

Also called traffic lights, these signals direct traffic and let drivers know who should stop and who should go.

These signals also make sure that pedestrians and cyclists are protected.

Signal:	Meaning:
Green light	You may pass but with caution.
Green arrow	You may proceed in the direction that the light indicates. However, you have to yield to pedestrians.
Yellow light	The light is about to turn red. Slow down if you haven’t reached the intersection yet. If you are already there, cross quickly.
Flashing yellow light	Slow down and proceed with caution.
Flashing yellow arrow	You can make a turn in the direction of the arrow, but yield to traffic and pedestrians first. This also means that the oncoming traffic’s light is green.
Red light	You must stop before entering the intersection, right before the stop line. Wait for the light to turn green before proceeding.
Flashing red light	Stop and look both ways before entering the intersection.
Red arrow	Right and left turns are prohibited until the light turns green.

Utah Traffic Signs

Okay, okay.

Let’s get to the main event — the Utah road signs.

Now, there are 6 types of Utah road signs. These are:

Warning signs
Railroad crossing signs
Work zone signs
Regulatory signs
Guide signs
Route number signs

Let’s look at each one in detail.

Warning Signs

Warning signs are usually diamond-shaped and colored yellow.

So if you see a sign like this, then you know it’s warning you of a hazard ahead.

In turn, you must always slow down and be more cautious (even if you don’t really understand the sign).

But it’s better to understand it — so let’s look at some common warning signs in Utah.

Railroad Crossing Signs

Most (if not all) railroads will have some sort of sign.

These signs are a mix of warning signs, regulation signs, and labels.

In some areas, the railroads will have gates where you are required to stop once it is lowered.

Work Zone Signs

Okay, work zone signs are also warning signs.

However, it has a specific purpose — to warn you of temporary road work or maintenance areas.

Oh, and also, these are colored orange instead of yellow.

Apart from signs, there may be flaggers that direct traffic. Always follow their directions.

You may also see some barriers such as the ones below. You must avoid these and find a way around them or find a different route.

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs come in all shapes and colors — but it’s usually square and black and white or red.

They tell you about the rules on the road and what you can and cannot do. And so these signs MUST be obeyed.

If not, you will receive a ticket and a fine.

To help you familiarize the regulatory signs, here are some of the most common ones and their meanings:

	The yield sign tells you to slow down and yield the right of way.
	The center lane is only used for left-turning vehicles. It’s not for passing or going straight.
	The traffic on this road only goes in the direction indicated. You should never counterflow.

Guide Signs

There are many kinds of guide signs — which you can indicate by color.

Blue – tells you about services, such as gas stations, hospitals, rest areas, etc.
Brown – tells you about recreational sites and landmarks, such as state parks.
Green – gives you directions or guidance to highway entrances and exits, distance to upcoming destinations, etc.

Here are some guide signs that you’ll meet along the Utah roadways.

Route Number Signs

Route number signs vary in color and shape.

These are used to determine what type of road you’re on.

To know what to make of these numbers, you need to consult a map to help you find your location.

Utah Pavement Markings

Finally, let’s look at the pavement markings.

The painted markings on the road help you know which lane you should be in. They also guide motorists about the sides of the road, crosswalks, and no-passing zones.

Yellow line markings are used to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions.

What’s more, dotted lines mean passing is permitted.

A yellow solid line prohibits passing.

White line markings, on the other hand, are for separating lanes going in the same direction.

Dashed and solid lines mean the same thing as the yellow markings.

Dashed lines — passing is permitted.

Solid lines — pass is prohibited.

You will also encounter different markings for crosswalks.

When you see a crosswalk, you are required to yield to pedestrians. Do not honk or occupy the crosswalk at any given time.

If you are stopping to let a pedestrian pass, stop before the stop line. You might also see a stop sign found nearby.

Other Lane Controls

Here are other pavement markings that you might see when you’re driving around in Utah:

Conclusion

That was your complete guide to the Utah road signs, traffic signals, and pavement markings.

Once you know the colors and shapes, it will be easier to spot and figure out the meaning.

And when you understand the meaning, it will be much easier to obey.

So keep all this information in mind the next time you go out and drive.

Remember, the signs, signals, and markings are there for a very good reason.

Drive safely!

Symbol:	Meaning:
	A warning sign that tells you of a railroad track ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop.
	A train or railroad is coming and you must stop behind the line or before the intersection.
	Indicates that the crossing has more than 1 set of tracks.

Name:	Marking:	Meaning:
Shared center left turn lane		The center lane can only be used for vehicles that are making a left turn. Vehicles are not allowed to pass or cross the lane if they aren’t making a left.
Express lanes		These are found on the I-15 and are for high-occupancy vehicles (2 or more persons) and single-occupancy vehicles with a registered and active express pass or C decal.
Carpool lane		These use express lanes but the vehicle should have 2 or more persons. All other vehicles can also use this lane if they have a C decal.
Merging and gore area		The gore area is the solid lines between the white solid lines of a side lane and a lane used to either enter or exit another traffic lane. You can merge only when you’ve passed the solid white line.
Flex lanes		These are used during rush hours. These lines are double-dashed and have signals overhead. When the signal is a green arrow, you can drive on the lane in the direction of the arrow. If it’s a red X, it means that you can’t use that lane as it is for vehicles coming in the opposite direction.