Confused About These German Traffic Signs? Here's Some Clarity!
Uninformed Drivers Found on Traffic Signs: ADAC Expert Reveals Ignorance Areas on Road Signs - Little-known traffic signs puzzling drivers - Expert from ADAC reveals common knowledge gaps on the road
Written by Katharina Frick
Germany, famously known for its dense network of traffic signs, boasts an estimated 20 to 25 million signs throughout the country, as asserted by ADAC. Some signs are relatively unknown, and novelties continue to emerge. Let's brush up on a few lesser-known signs that might catch you off guard.
Has this sign ever puzzled you? It's not about parking only vehicles with four seats. Instead, it signals a parking spot reserved for car-sharing vehicles, commonly found in urban areas.
Every city-dweller should be familiar with this sign (featuring a black dot in a black circle), introduced in 2007. It provides the direction to the city center; yet, a mere quarter of drivers recognize its significance, according to an ADAC survey.
The enigmatic red dot alongside an arrow might leave you scratching your head. It marks a pre-arranged large-scale demand detour, particularly helping drivers travel from an exit to the next on-ramp on their desired route.
ADAC has long criticized the "sign jungle" in Germany, with a third of signs reportedly unnecessary, as concluded from a pilot project by ADAC.
Driver folly doesn't end with signs, though. A 2022 ADAC test exposed significant gaps in driver knowledge.
Katharina Luca from ADAC shares where these knowledge voids are most pronounced:
Katharina Luca:
In our 2021 knowledge test, we tested ADAC members and drivers, asking them 20 questions that also appear in the theory exam and the driving test. The results were mixed. A large portion forgot about the zipper merge. Only a quarter could answer it correctly.
Other weaknesses surfaced in questions concerning exhaust emission stickers, mobile device usage in vehicles, and driving physics. New drivers, unsurprisingly, performed better in such matters. But what can drivers do to refresh their knowledge, especially if their theory test was long past?
Katharina Luca: Fret not if you're unsure about signs. Visit sites like adac.de to search for them. If you spot a sign while driving that you're unsure of, you can always look it up at a later time. You may also find theory questions from driving tests on numerous websites, allowing you to test your knowledge. Of course, there are also driving safety courses available, where sign recognition and safe driving practices can be revisited if needed.
If you're familiar with basic sign rules, you can often deduce their meaning.
Katharina Luca: Keep in mind that certain distinguishing features help identify some signs. For instance, warning signs are triangular with a white background and red border. No-entry signs are round with a white backdrop and red border. Mandatory signs are also round but colored blue, while direction signs can vary, indicating detours, tourist attractions, and the like. Furthermore, two unique signs in German traffic should always be recognizable, even if coated with snow.
To better understand these elusive German signs when they appear under snow, focus on the distinctive shapes and colors, as well as the standard placement of signs. Additionally, reflective materials on signs can enhance their visibility in inclement weather. Happy and safe driving!
Community policy could incorporate initiatives to improve vocational training programs, focusing on the transportation industry and relevant finance sectors to enhance job readiness for new drivers in Germany. Vocational training centers could offer courses dedicated to understanding traffic signs and safe driving practices, helping drivers gain the necessary knowledge to pass the theory exam and become well-equipped for driving on German roads.
