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AUSTRALIAN ROAD SAFETY STANDARDS & YOUR GUIDE TO ROAD SIGNAGE
AUSTRALIAN ROAD SAFETY STANDARDS
YOUR GUIDE TO ROAD SIGNAGE
Road safety signage is used to inform road users of road regulations, warn of potentially hazardous conditions, and advise of changes 
in the road or route conditions. Standards Australia regulates the requirements of all road safety signage. The following Australian 
standards should be reviewed and adhered to as they detail the requirements of uniform traffic control devices and the specifications 
for road safety signage.
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs inform road 
users of traffic laws or regulations 
which, if disregarded, is an 
offence. They are normally placed 
at the point or beginning of the 
section where the regulation 
applies.
Included in this classification are 
signs which indicate the end of 
a legal restriction imposed by a 
preceding regulatory sign.
Most regulatory signs are 
rectangular with the long axis 
vertical and have black legend 
with or without red annulus and 
slash on the white background.
Wherever practicable, use is made 
of symbols and arrows to:
A)	 Assist in Identification;
B)	 Clarify the Instruction; and
C)	 Increase Legibility.
Warning Signs
Warning signs are used to warn 
traffic of potentially hazardous 
conditions on or adjacent to the 
road. Warning signs advise of 
conditions which require caution 
on the part of the driver and may 
call for a reduction in speed in the 
interest of the safety of the driver 
and other road users.
In general, warning signs are 
diamond shaped (square with 
one diagonal vertical) with a 
black legend or symbol, or both, 
and a black border on a yellow 
reflectorised background.
Hazard Markers
Hazard signs are used to highlight 
to approaching traffic a marked 
change in the direction of travel 
and the presence and width of an 
obstruction.
Hazard signs are rectangular 
and generally consist of alternate 
black and white bands. The white 
portion is always reflectorised, but 
the reflective material may cover 
only the central portion of each 
white band to achieve a balance 
between the areas of black and 
white under headlight illumination. 
The bands may consist of either 
diagonal strips where only a target 
is required or of chevrons where 
directional, as well as target, 
properties are desirable.
Guide Signs
Guide signs inform and advise 
road users about the route they 
are following and give directions 
and distances to destinations on 
the route or along other roads 
that intersect the route. They also 
supply information to identify 
points of geographical or historical 
interest and give directions to 
motorists’ services and tourist 
facilities and attractions. 
Guide sign are generally 
rectangular. Where practicable, 
they should be designed with the 
long axis horizontal. Exceptions 
to this are route markers and 
kilometer plates that are normally 
on a shield or a background of 
distinctive shape.
REFER TO PAGES 272-275 FOR A FULL RANGE OF ROAD SIGNAGE.
u	 AS 1742.1 - Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Australian Standard AS 1742.1 details the classifications, numbering system and basic design of signs used for controlling vehicular and 
pedestrian traffic on the road.
Standards Australia AS 1742.1 - Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices -  © SAI Global
u	 AS 1743 - Road Signs - Specifications
Australian Standard AS 1743 details the graphics, layout and size requirements together with an abridged materials and manufacturing 
specification for the manufacture of the standard road signs provided for in AS 1742.
Standards Australia AS 1743 - Road Signs - Specifications -  © SAI Global

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