C,3c „NO ENTRY FOR CYCLES”
C,3d „NO ENTRY FOR MOPEDS”
C,3e „NO ENTRY FOR GOODS VEHICLES”
The inscription of a tonnage figure, either in a light colour on the silhouette of the vehicle or, in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 4 of this Convention, on an additional panel placed below sign C,3e, shall mean that the prohibition applies only if the permissible maximum mass of the vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds that figure.
C,3f „NO ENTRY FOR ANY POWER DRIVEN VEHICLE DRAWING A TRAILER OTHER THAN A SEMI-TRAILER OR A SINGLE AXLE TRAILER”,
The inscription of a tonnage figure, either in a light colour on the silhouette of the trailer or, in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 4, of this Convention, on an additional panel placed below sign C,3f, shall mean that the prohibition applies only if the permissible maximum mass of the trailer exceeds that figure.
It shall be open to Contracting Parties, in cases where they see fit to do so, to replace, in the symbol, the silhouette of the rear end of a lorry by that of the rear end of a private car, and the trailer silhouette by that of a trailer which can be attached to a private car.
C,3g „NO ENTRY FOR ANY POWER-DRIVEN VEHICLE DRAWING A TRAILER”
The inscription of a tonnage figure, either in a light colour on the silhouette of the trailer or, in accordance with article 8, paragraph 4 of this Convention, on an additional panel placed below sign C,3g, shall mean that the prohibition applies only if the permissible maximum mass of the trailer exceeds that figure.
C,3h „NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES CARRYING DANGEROUS GOODS FOR WHICH SPECIAL SIGN PLATING IS PRESCRIBED”
To indicate no entry for vehicles carrying certain types of dangerous goods, the sign C,3h may be used in conjunction, if necessary, with an additional panel.
The information given on this additional panel specifies that this prohibition applies only to the carriage of dangerous goods as defined by domestic legislation.
C,3i „NO ENTRY FOR PEDESTRIANS”
C,3j „NO ENTRY FOR ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES”
C,3k „NO ENTRY FOR HANDCARTS”
C,3l „NO ENTRY FOR POWER DRIVEN AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES”
NOTE - It shall be open to Contracting Parties to omit from signs C,3a to C,3l the red oblique bar joining the upper left quadrant and the lower right quadrant or, provided that this does not make the symbol less easy to see and understand, not to interrupt the bar where it crosses the symbol.
(d) Notification that entry is prohibited for several categories of vehicle or road user, may be given either by displaying as many prohibitory signs as there are prohibited classes, or by a single prohibitory sign which shows the silhouettes of the various vehicles or road-users whose entry is prohibited. Signs C,4a „NO ENTRY FOR POWER DRIVEN VEHICLES”; and C,4b „NO ENTRY FOR POWER DRIVEN VEHICLES OR ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES” are examples of such signs.
Signs showing more than two silhouettes may not be set up outside builtup areas, and signs showing more than three silhouettes may not be set up in built-up areas.
(e) Notification that entry is prohibited for vehicles whose mass or dimensions exceed certain limits shall be given by the signs:
C,5 „NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES HAVING AN OVERALL WIDTH EXCEEDING ... METRES”
C,6 „NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES HAVING AN OVERALL HEIGHT EXCEEDING ... METRES”
C,7 „NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES EXCEEDING ... TONNES LADEN MASS”
C,8 „NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES HAVING A MASS EXCEEDING ... TONNES ON ONE AXLE”
C,9 „NO ENTRY FOR VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS OF VEHICLES EXCEEDING ... METRES IN LENGTH”.
(f) Notification that vehicles shall not be driven closer together than the distance indicated on the sign shall be given by sign C,10, „DRIVING OF VEHICLES LESS THAN ... METRES APART PROHIBITED”.
2. Prohibition of turning
Notification that turning is prohibited (to the right or to the left according to the direction of the arrow) shall be given by sign C,11a „NO LEFT TURN” or sign C,11b „NO RIGHT TURN”.
3. Prohibition of U-turns
(a) Notification that U-turns are prohibited shall be given by sign C,12 „NO U-TURNS”.
(b) The symbol may be reversed, if appropriate.
4. Prohibition of overtaking
(a) Notification that, in addition to the general rules on overtaking laid down by the regulations in force, the overtaking of power-driven vehicles other than two-wheeled mopeds and two-wheeled motor cycles without side-car travelling on a road is prohibited, shall be given by sign C,13a „OVERTAKING PROHIBITED”.
There are two models of this sign: C,13aa and C,13ab
(b) Notification that overtaking is prohibited only for goods vehicles having a permissible maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tons shall be given by sign C,13b „OVERTAKING BY GOODS VEHICLES PROHIBITED”.
There are two models of this sign: C,13ba and C,13bb
An inscription on an additional panel placed below the sign in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 4 of this Convention may change the permissible maximum mass above which the prohibitions applies.
5. Speed limit
(a) Notification of a speed limit shall be given by sign C,14, „MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITED TO THE FIGURE INDICATED”. The figure appearing on the sign shall indicate the maximum speed in the unit of measurement most commonly used to express the speed of vehicles in the country concerned. After or below the figure expressing the speed may be added, for instance, „Km” (Kilometres) or „m” (Miles).
(b) To indicate a speed limit applicable only to vehicles of a permissible maximum mass exceeding a given figure, an inscription comprising that figure shall be placed on an additional panel below the sign in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 4 of this Convention.
6. Prohibition of the use of audible warning devices
Notification that the use of audible warning devices is prohibited, except to avoid an accident, shall be given by sign C,15 „USE OF AUDIBLE WARNING DEVICES PROHIBITED”. This sign, if not placed at the beginning of a built-up area beside or shortly after the sign identifying the built-up area, shall be accompanied by an additional panel H,2 described in section H of this annex, showing the distance over which the prohibition applies. It is recommended that this sign should not be placed at the beginning of built-up areas when the prohibition applies in all built-up areas and that it be provided that the sign identifying a built-up area placed at the beginning of that area shall notify road users that the traffic regulations applicable to built-up areas in that country apply from that point onwards.
7. Prohibition of passing without stopping
(a) Notification of the proximity of a Custom-house at which a stop is compulsory shall be given by sign C,16, „PASSING WITHOUT STOPPING PROHIBITED”. Notwithstanding Article 8 of this Convention, the symbol of this sign shall include the word „Customs”, preferably in two languages; Contracting Parties using C,16 signs shall endeavour to reach a regional agreement to the effect that this word shall appear in the same language on all the signs they set up.
(b) This sign may also be used to notify drivers that passing without stopping is prohibited for other reasons; in this case the word „Customs” shall be replaced by another very brief inscription indicating the reason for the stop.
8. End of prohibition or restriction
(a) The point at which all prohibitions notified by prohibitory signs for moving vehicles cease to apply shall be indicated by sign C,17a „END OF ALL LOCAL PROHIBITIONS IMPOSED ON MOVING VEHICLES”. This sign shall be circular and have a white or yellow ground; it shall have no border or only a black rim, and shall bear a diagonal band, sloping downward from right to left, which may be black or dark grey or consist of black or grey parallel lines.
(b) The point at which a particular prohibition or restriction notified to moving vehicles by a prohibitory or restrictive sign ceases to apply shall be indicated by sign C,17b „END OF SPEED LIMIT” or sign C,17c „END OF PROHIBITION OF OVERTAKING”, OR SIGN C,17d „END OF PROHIBITION OF OVERTAKING FOR GOODS VEHICLES”. These signs shall be similar to sign C,17a, but shall show, in addition, in light grey the symbol of the prohibition or, restriction which has ceased.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6, paragraph 1 of this Convention, the signs referred to in this paragraph 8 may be placed on the reverse side of the prohibitory or restrictive sign intended for traffic coming in the opposite direction.
9. Prohibition or restriction of standing and parking
(a)
(i) Places where parking is prohibited shall be indicated by sign C,18, „PARKING PROHIBITED”; places where standing and parking are prohibited shall be indicated by sign C,19, „STANDING AND PARKING PROHIBITED”.
(ii) Sign C,18 may be replaced by a circular sign with a red border and a red transverse bar, bearing the letter or ideogram used in the State concerned to denote „Parking”, in black on a white or yellow ground.
(iii) The scope of the prohibition may be restricted by inscriptions on an additional plate below the sign specifying, as the case may be,
The days of the week or month or the times of day during which the prohibition applies;
The time in excess of which parking is prohibited by sign C,18 or standing and parking is prohibited by sign C,19;
The exceptions granted for certain classes of road user.
(iv) The time in excess of which parking or standing is prohibited may also be inscribed on the lower part of the red circle of the sign instead of appearing on an additional plate.
(b)
(i) Where parking is authorized on opposite sides of the road alternately, signs C,20a and C,20b, „ALTERNATE PARKING”, shall be used instead of sign C,18;
(ii) The prohibition of parking shall apply to the sign C,20a side on odd number dates and to the sign C,20b side on even number dates; the time at which the side changes shall be prescribed by domestic legislation and need not necessarily be midnight. Domestic legislation may also prescribe an alternation other than a daily alternation for parking; the numerals I and II shall in that case be replaced on the signs by the period of alternation, e.g., 1-15 and 16-31 for an alternation on the first and sixteenth day of each month.
(iii) Sign C,18 may be used by States which do not adopt sign C,19; C,20a and C,20b, supplemented by additional inscriptions, as provided in article 8, paragraph 4 of this Convention.
(c)
(i) Except in special cases, the signs shall be so placed that their disc is perpendicular to the axis of the road, or at a slight angle to the plane perpendicular to that axis.
(ii) All the prohibitions and restrictions of parking shall apply only on the side of the carriageway on which the signs are placed.
(iii) Except as may be otherwise indicated:
On an additional panel H,2 of section H of this annex and showing the distance over which the prohibition applies; or
In conformity with subparagraph (c) (v) of this paragraph, the prohibitions shall apply from a point level with the sign to the next point of entry of a road.
(iv) An additional panel H,3a or H,4a depicted in section H of this annex may be placed below the sign at the point where the prohibition begins. An additional panel H,3b or H,4b depicted in section H of this annex may be placed below signs repeating the prohibition. A further prohibition sign supplemented by an additional panel H,3c or H,4c depicted in section H of this annex may be placed at the point where the prohibition ceases to apply. Panels H,3 shall be placed parallel to the axis of the road, and panels H,4 perpendicular to that axis. The distances, if any, shown by panels H,3 shall be those over which the prohibition applies in the direction of the arrow.
(v) If the prohibition ceases to apply before the next point of entry of a road, the sign bearing the additional end-of-prohibition panel described in subparagraph (c) (iv) above shall be set up. However, where the prohibition applies only over a short distance, it shall be permissible to set up only one sign:
Showing in the red circle the distance on which it applies, or
Bearing an additional panel H,3.
(vi) Where parking-meters are installed, their presence shall signify that parking is subject to payment and is limited to the period for which the meter operates.
(vii) In zones in which the duration of parking is limited but parking is not subject to payment, this limitation instead of being indicated by sign C,18 supplemented by additional panels, may be notified by a blue band at a height of approximately 2 m on lampposts, trees, etc., bordering the carriageway, or by lines on the kerb.
1. Mandatory signs shall be circular, except signs D,10 described in subsection II, paragraph 10 of this section which shall be rectangular; their diameter shall be not less than 0.60 m outside built-up areas and not less than 0.40 m in built-up areas. However, signs having a diameter of not less than 0.30 m may be used in conjunction with traffic light signals or on bollards on traffic islands.
2. Unless provided otherwise, the signs shall be blue and the symbols shall be white or of a light colour, or, alternatively, the signs shall be white with a red rim and the symbols shall be black.
1. Direction to be followed
The direction in which vehicles are obliged to proceed, or the only directions in which they are permitted to proceed, shall be indicated by model D,1a of sign D,1, „DIRECTION TO BE FOLLOWED” on which the arrow or arrows shall point in the appropriate direction or directions. However, instead of using sign D,1a, sign D,1b may to be used notwithstanding the provisions of subsection I of this section. Sign D,1b shall to be black with a white rim and a white symbol:
2. Pass this side
Sign D,2 „PASS THIS SIDE”, placed, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6, paragraph 1 of this Convention, on an island or before an obstacle on the carriageway, shall mean that vehicles must pass on the side of the island or obstacle indicated by the arrow.
3. Compulsory roundabout
Sign D,3 „COMPULSORY ROUNDABOUT”, shall notify drivers that they must comply with the rules concerning roundabouts.
4. Compulsory cycle track
Sign D,4 „COMPULSORY CYCLE TRACK” shall notify cyclists that the track at the entrance to which it is placed is reserved for them, and shall notify the drivers of other vehicles that they are not entitled to use that track. Cyclists shall be required to use the track if the track is running along a carriageway, footpath or track for riders on horseback and leading into the same direction. However, drivers of mopeds shall also be required, in the same conditions, to use the cycle track if domestic legislation so provides or if notification of this requirement is given by an additional panel bearing an inscription or the symbol of sign C,3d.
5. Compulsory footpath
Sign D,5 „COMPULSORY FOOTPATH” shall notify pedestrians that the path at the entrance to which it is placed is reserved for them, and shall notify other road users that they are not entitled to use that path. Pedestrians shall be required to use the path if the path is running along a carriageway, cycle track or track for riders on horseback and leading into the same direction.
6. Compulsory track for riders on horseback
Sign D,6 „COMPULSORY TRACK FOR RIDERS ON HORSEBACK” shall notify riders on horseback that the track at the entrance of which it is placed is reserved for them and shall notify other road users that they are not entitled to use that track. Riders on horseback shall be required to use the track if the track is running along a carriageway, cycle track or footpath and leading into the same direction.
7. Compulsory minimum speed
Sign D,7 „COMPULSORY MINIMUM SPEED”, shall mean that vehicles using the road at the entrance to which it is placed shall travel at not less than the speed specified, the figure shown on the sign shall express this speed in the unit of measurement most commonly used to express the speed of vehicles in the country concerned. After the figure specifying the speed may to be added, for instance, „Km” (Kilometres) or „m” (Miles).
8. End of compulsory minimum speed
Sign D,8 „END OF COMPULSORY MINIMUM SPEED”, shall mean that the compulsory minimum speed imposed by sign D,7 is no longer in effect. Sign D,8 shall to be identical to sign D,7, except that it shall be crossed by an oblique red bar running from the upper right edge to the lower left edge.
9. Snow chains compulsory
Sign D,9, „SNOW CHAINS COMPULSORY” shall mean that vehicles travelling on the road at the entrance to which it is placed shall have snow chains fitted to not less than two of their driving wheels.
10. Compulsory direction for vehicles carrying dangerous goods
Sign D,10a; D,10b and D,10c shall indicate the direction in which vehicles carrying dangerous goods shall proceed.
11. Remarks concerning the combination of signs D,4; D,5 and D,6
(a) Notification that a path or track is reserved to two categories of road users and prohibited to other users shall be indicated by a mandatory sign bearing the two symbols for the categories of users entitled to use the path or track at the entrance to which it is placed.
(b) When the symbols are placed side by side on the sign and separated by a vertical line through the centre of the sign, each symbol shall be understood to mean that the relevant category must use the side of the path or track reserved for that category and shall notify other road users that they are not entitled to use that side. The two sides of the path or track shall be clearly separated, by physical means or road markings.
(c) When the symbols are placed one above the other, the sign shall notify the relevant categories of users that they may jointly use the path or track. The order in which the symbols are placed shall be optional. Where necessary the precautions to be taken by both categories of users shall be laid down in domestic legislation.
Sign D,11a and D,11b are examples of the combination of signs D,4 and D,5.
Special regulation signs are usually square or rectangular with a blue ground and a light coloured symbol or inscription, or with a light coloured ground and a dark coloured symbol or inscription.
1. Signs indicating a regulation or danger warning applying to one or more traffic lanes
Signs such as those given below shall mean that a regulation or danger warning applies only to one or more lanes, defined by longitudinal lane markings, on a multi-lane carriageway for traffic moving in the same direction. They may also indicate lanes allocated to oncoming traffic. The sign relating to the regulation or danger warning shall be shown on each of the arrows concerned:
(i) E,1a „COMPULSORY MINIMUM SPEED APPLYING TO DIFFERENT LANES”.
(ii) E,1b „COMPULSORY MINIMUM SPEED APPLYING TO ONE LANE”. This sign may be used as way of creating a „slow lane”.
(iii) E,1c „SPEED LIMITS APPLYING TO DIFFERENT LANES”. Borders of the circles shall be red and letters black.
2. Signs indicating lanes reserved for buses
Signs such as E,2a and E,2b are examples of signs showing the position of the lane reserved for buses in accordance with Article 26 bis, paragraph 2.
3. „ONE-WAY” sign
(a) Two different „ONE-WAY” signs may be set up where it is necessary to indicate a road or carriageway which is one-way:
(i) Sign E,3a placed approximately perpendicular to the axis of the carriageway; its panel shall be square.
(ii) Sign E,3b placed approximately parallel to the axis of the carriageway; its panel shall be an elongated rectangle the long side of which is horizontal. The words „one way” may be inscribed on the arrow of sign E,3b in the national language or one of the national languages of the country concerned.
(b) Signs E,3a and E,3b may be set up irrespective of whether prohibitory or mandatory signs are set up at the entrance to the road in question.
4. Preselection sign
Example of sign for preselection at intersections on roads with several lanes: E,4.
5. Signs notifying an entry to or an exit from a motorway
(a) Sign E,5a, „MOTORWAY”, shall be placed at the point where the special rules to be observed on a motorway begin to apply.
(b) Sign E,5b, „END OF MOTORWAY”, shall be placed at the point where those rules cease to apply.
(c) Sign E,5b may also be used and repeated to give warning of the ending of a motorway; the distance between each sign set up for this purpose and the end of the motorway shall be inscribed on the lower part of the sign.
(d) These signs shall have blue or green ground.
6. Signs notifying an entry to or exit from a road on which the traffic rules are the same as on a motorway
(a) Sign E,6a, „ROAD FOR MOTOR VEHICLES”, shall be placed at the point where special traffic rules begin to apply on roads other than motorways which are reserved for motor vehicle traffic and do not serve properties bordering on the road. An additional panel may be placed under sign E,6a to show that, by way of exception, the access of motor vehicles to properties bordering on the road is permitted.
(b) Sign E,6b, „END OF ROAD FOR MOTOR VEHICLES”, may also be used and repeated to give warning of the ending of the road; the distance between each sign set up for this purpose and the end of the road shall be inscribed on the lower part of the sign.
(c) These signs shall have blue or green ground.
7. Signs indicating the beginning and the end of a built-up area
(a) The sign to indicate the beginning of a built-up area shall bear the name of the built-up area or the symbol showing the silhouette of a built-up area or the two combined. Signs E,7a; E,7b; E,7c and E,7d are examples of signs showing the beginning of a built-up area.
(b) The sign showing the end of a built-up area shall be identical except that it shall be crossed by an oblique bar coloured red or consisting of parallel lines coloured red running from the upper right edge to the lower left edge. Signs E,8a; E,8b; E,8c and E,8d are examples of signs indicating the end of a built-up area.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6, paragraph 1 of this Convention these signs may be placed on the reverse side of signs identifying a built-up area.
(c) The signs covered by this paragraph shall be used in conformity with the provisions of the Convention, Article 13 bis, paragraph 2.
8. Signs having zonal validity
(a) Beginning of a zone
(i) To indicate that a sign applies to all roads in a zone (zonal validity), the sign shall be displayed on a rectangular panel with a light-coloured ground. The word „ZONE” or its equivalent in the national language may be displayed above or below the sign on the panel. Specific details of the restrictions, prohibitions or obligations indicated by the sign may be given below the sign on the panel or on an additional panel.
Signs applying to all roads in a zone (zonal validity) shall be set up at all roads giving access to the zone concerned.
The zone preferably should only include roads which have similar characteristics.
(ii) Signs E,9a; E,9b; E,9c and E,9d are examples of signs applying to all roads in a zone (zonal validity):
E,9a - Zone in which parking is prohibited;
E,9b - Zone in which parking is prohibited at certain times;
E,9c - Parking zone;
E,9d - Maximum speed zone.
(b) Exit from a zone
(i) To indicate the exit from a zone in which a sign has zonal validity, the same sign displayed on a rectangular panel shall be set up as that placed at the entry to the zone but it shall be grey on a rectangular panel with a light coloured ground. A black or dark grey diagonal band or parallel grey or black lines forming such a band shall slope downwards across the sign from right to left.
Signs indicating the exit from a zone shall be set up on all roads which may be used to leave that zone.
(ii) Signs E,10a; E,10c and E,10d are examples of signs indicating the exit from a zone in which a sign applies to all roads (zonal validity):
E,10a - End of zone in which parking is prohibited;
E,10b - End of zone in which parking is prohibited at certain times;
E,10c - End of parking zone;
E,10d - End of maximum speed zone.
9. Signs notifying the entry to or exit from a tunnel where special rules apply
(a) Sign E,11a „TUNNEL” may be used, and repeated, to indicate the approach to a tunnel; each sign set up for this purpose shall carry either an inscription in its lower part showing the distance between the sign and the beginning of the tunnel where the special rules apply, or an additional panel H,1 described in section H of this annex.
The name of the tunnel and its length may also be inscribed on the panel.
(b) Sign E,11b „END OF TUNNEL” may be placed at the point from which the special rules no longer apply.
10. „PEDESTRIAN CROSSING” sign
(a) Sign E,12a „PEDESTRIAN CROSSING”, is used to show pedestrians and drivers the position of a pedestrian crossing. The ground of the panel shall be blue or black, the triangle white or yellow and the symbol black or dark blue; the symbol displayed shall be symbol A,12.
(b) However, the sign E,12b, having the shape of an irregular pentagon, a blue ground and a white symbol or the sign E,12c, having a dark ground and white symbol may also be used.
11. „HOSPITAL” sign
(a) This sign shall be used to notify drivers of vehicles that they should take the precautions required near medical establishments; in particular, that they should not make any unnecessary noise. There are two models of this sign: E,13a and E,13b.
(b) The red cross on sign E,13b may be replaced by one of the symbols referred to in section F, subsection II, paragraph 1.
12. „PARKING” sign
(a) Sign E,14a, „PARKING”, which may be set up parallel to the axis of the road, shall indicate places where the parking of vehicles is authorized. The panel shall be square. It shall bear the letter or ideogram used in the State concerned to denote „Parking”. The ground of this sign shall be blue.
(b) The direction in which the parking place lies or the categories of vehicle for which it is reserved may be shown on the sign itself or on an additional panel below the sign. Such inscriptions may also limit the period for which parking is permitted or indicate that public transport is accessible from the parking place by means of a „+ sign” followed by an indication of the type of transport, in word or symbol form.
Signs E,14b and E,14c are examples of the signs which may be used to indicate a car park more particularly intended for vehicles whose drivers wish to use a means of public transport.
13. Signs notifying a bus or tramway stop
E,15 „BUS. STOP” and E,16 „TRAMWAY STOP”
1. „F” signs shall have a blue or green ground; they shall bear a white or yellow rectangle on which the symbol shall be displayed.
2. On the blue or green band at the bottom of the sign, the distance to the facility indicated, or to the entry to the road leading to it, may be inscribed in white; on the sign bearing symbol F,5 the word „HOTEL” or „MOTEL” may be inscribed in the same way. The signs may also be set up at the entry to the road leading to the facility and may then bear a white direction arrow on the blue or green part at the bottom. The symbol shall be black or dark blue, except symbols F,1a, F,1b and F,1c, which shall be red.
1. „FIRST-AID STATION” symbol
The symbols depicting first-aid stations in the States concerned shall be used. These symbols shall be red. Examples of these symbols are F,1a, F,1b and F,1c.
2. Miscellaneous symbols
F,2 „BREAKDOWN SERVICE”
F,3 „TELEPHONE”
F,4 „FILLING STATION”
F,5 „HOTEL or MOTEL”
F,6 „RESTAURANT”
F,7 „REFRESHMENTS OR CAFETERIA”
F,8 „PICNIC SITE”
F,9 „STARTING-POINT FOR WALKS”
F,10 „CAMPING SITE”
F,11 „CARAVAN SITE”
F,12 „CAMPING AND CARAVAN SITE”
F,13 „YOUTH HOSTEL”
1. Informative signs are usually rectangular; however, direction signs may be in the shape of an elongated rectangle with the longer side horizontal, terminating in an arrowhead.
2. Informative signs shall bear either white or light-coloured symbols or inscriptions on a dark ground, or dark-coloured symbols or inscriptions on a white or light-coloured ground; the colour red may be used only exceptionally and must never predominate.
3. Advance direction signs or direction signs relating to motorways or roads treated as motorways shall bear white symbols or inscriptions on a blue or green ground. On such signs the symbols used on signs E,5a and E,6a may be reproduced on reduced scale.
4. Signs indicating temporary conditions such as road works, diversions or detours may have orange or yellow ground with black symbols and inscriptions.
5. On signs G,1; G,4; G,5; G,6 and G,10 it is recommended to show place names in the language of the country, or subdivision thereof, where the localities referred to are situated.
1. General case
Examples of advance direction signs: G,1a; G,1b and G,1c.
2. Special cases
(a) Examples of advance direction signs for „NO THROUGH ROAD”: G,2a and G,2b.
(b) Example of advance direction sign for route to be followed in order to turn left, where a left turn at the next intersection is prohibited: G,3.
NOTE - Advance direction signs G,1 may bear the symbols used on other signs informing road users of the characteristics of the route or of traffic conditions (for example: signs A,2; A,5; C,3e; C,6; E,5a; F,2).
1. Examples of signs showing the direction of a place: G,4a; G,4b; G,4c and G,5.
2. Examples of signs showing the direction of an airfield: G,6a; G,6b and G,6c.
3. Sign G,7 shows the direction of a camping site.
4. Sign G,8 shows the direction of a youth hostel.
5. Examples of signs showing the direction of a car parking more particularly intended for vehicles whose drivers wish to use means of public transport: G,9a and G,9b. The type of public transport may be indicated on the sign by an inscription or symbol.
NOTE - Direction signs G,4; G,5 and G,6 may bear the symbols used on other signs informing road users of the characteristics of the route or traffic conditions (for example: signs A,2; A,5; C,3e; C,6; E,5a; F,2)
Sign G,10 is an example of a confirmatory sign.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6, paragraph 1, of this Convention, this sign may be placed on the reverse side of another sign intended for traffic proceeding in the opposite direction.
1. Signs indicating the number and direction of traffic lanes
Signs such as G,11a; G,11b and G,11c shall be used to notify drivers on the number and direction of traffic lanes. They must comprise the same number of arrows as the number of lanes allocated to traffic in the same direction; they may also indicate lanes allocated to oncoming traffic.
2. Signs indicating closure of a traffic lane
Signs such as G,12a and G,12b shall indicate to drivers closure of a traffic lane.
3. „NO THROUGH ROAD” sign
Sign G,13, „NO THROUGH ROAD”, placed at the entry to a road, shall mean that there is no throughway.
4. „GENERAL SPEED LIMITS” sign
Sign G,14, „GENERAL SPEED LIMITS”, shall be used, especially near national frontiers, to notify the general speed limits in force in a country or in a subdivision of that country. The name or distinguishing sign of the country, possibly accompanied by the national emblem, shall be placed at the top of the sign. On the sign the general speed limits in force in a country will be shown in the following order: (1) in built-up areas; (2) outside built-up areas; (3) on motorways. If appropriate, the symbol of sign E,6a, „Road for motor vehicles”, may be used to indicate the general speed limit on roads for motor vehicles.
The border of the sign and its upper part shall be in blue; the country name and the ground of the three squares shall be in white. The symbols used in the upper and central squares shall be in black and the symbol in the central square shall have an oblique red line across it.
5. „ROAD OPEN OR CLOSED” sign
(a) Sign G,15, „ROAD OPEN OR CLOSED”, shall be used to show whether a mountain road, particularly a section leading over a pass, is open or closed; the sign shall be placed at the entry to the road or roads leading to the section in question.
The name of the section of road (or pass) shall be inscribed in white. On the sign shown, the name „Furka” is given as an example.
Panels 1, 2 and 3 shall be removable.
(b) If the section of road is closed, panel 1 shall be red and shall bear the inscription „CLOSED”; if the section is open, panel 1 shall be green and shall bear the inscription „OPEN”. The inscriptions shall be in white and preferably in several languages.
(c) Panels 2 and 3 shall have a white ground with inscriptions and symbols in black.
If the section of road is open, panel 3 shall remain blank and panel 2, according to the state of the road, shall either be blank, or display sign D,9, „SNOW CHAINS COMPULSORY”, or display symbol G,16, „CHAINS OR SNOW TYRES RECOMMENDED”. This symbol shall be black.
If the section of road is closed, panel 3 shall show the name of the place up to which the road is open and panel 2 shall display, according to the state of the road; either the inscription „OPEN AS FAR AS”, or symbol G,16, or sign D,9.
6. „ADVISORY SPEED” sign
Sign G,17 „ADVISORY SPEED” shall be used to show the speed at which it is advisable to drive if circumstances permit and if the driver is not required to comply with a lower limit specific to his category of vehicle. The figure or range of figures appearing on the sign shall indicate the speed in the unit of measurement most commonly used to express the speed of vehicles in the country concerned. This unit may be specified on the sign.
7. Sign notifying advised itinerary for heavy vehicles
G,18 „ADVISED ITINERARY FOR HEAVY VEHICLES”
8. Sign notifying an escape lane
Sign G,19 „ESCAPE LANE” shall be used to indicate an escape lane on steep descent. This sign, with a plate showing distance to the escape lane, should be placed in conjunction with sign A,2 at the top of the descent, where the danger zone begins and at the entry to the escape lane. Depending on the length of the descent the sign should be repeated as necessary, again with a distance plate.
The symbol may be varied corresponding to the siting of the escape lane in relation to the road concerned.
9. Signs notifying a pedestrian overpass or underpass
(a) Sign G,20 is used to indicate a pedestrian overpass or underpass.
(b) Sign G,21 is used to indicate an overpass or underpass without steps. The symbol for handicapped persons may also be used on this sign.
10. Signs notifying an exit from a motorway
Signs G,22a; G,22b and G,22c are examples of advance signs for notifying an exit from a motorway. These signs shall bear the indication of a distance to the exit from a motorway, as determined by domestic legislation, provided that signs bearing respectively one and two oblique bars are set up at one third and two thirds of the distance between the sign bearing three oblique bars and the exit from a motorway.
1. These panels shall have either a white or yellow ground and a black, dark blue or red rim, in which case the distance or length or symbol shall be inscribed in black or dark blue; or a black or dark blue ground and a white, yellow or red rim, in which case the distance or length or symbol shall be inscribed in white or yellow.
2. (a) Additional panels H,1 show the distance from the sign to the beginning of the dangerous section of road or of the zone to which the regulation applies.
(b) Additional panels H,2 show the length of the dangerous section of road or of the zone to which the regulation applies.
(c) Additional panels are placed under the signs. However, in the case of danger warning signs of model Ab, the information to be given on the additional panels may be inscribed on the lower part of the sign.
3. The additional panels H,3 and H,4 concerning parking prohibitions or restrictions are of models H,3a; H,3b and H,3c and H4a; H,4b and H,4c respectively. (See: section C, para. 9 (c) of this annex).
4. Regulatory signs may be restricted to particular road users by displaying the symbol for their category. For example: H,5a and H,5b.
In cases where the regulatory sign is to be regarded as not applying to a certain category of road users this is indicated by the symbol for their category and by the term „exept” in the language of the particular country. For example: H,6. If necessary the symbol may be replaced by an inscription in that language.
5. To indicate parking space reserved for handicapped persons, panel H,7 should be used with signs C,18 or E,14.
6. The additional panel H,8 displays a diagram of the intersection in which broad strokes indicate priority roads and thin strokes indicate the roads on which signs B,1 or B,2 are set up.
7. To indicate that the section of road ahead is slippery because of ice or snow the additional panel H,9 should be used:
NOTE APPROPRIATE TO THE WHOLE OF ANNEX I: In countries where traffic keeps to the left, signs and/or symbols shall be reversed as appropriate.
1. Road surface markings (road markings) should be of non-skid materials and should not protrude more than 6 mm above the level of the carriageway. Studs or similar devices used for marking should not protrude more than 1.5 cm above the level of the carriageway (or more than 2.5 cm in the case of studs incorporating reflex reflectors); they should be used in accordance with road traffic safety requirements.
A. Dimensions
2. The width of continuous or broken lines used for longitudinal markings should be at least 0.10 m.
3. The distance between two adjacent longitudinal lines (double line) should be between 0.10 m and 0.18 m.
4. A broken line shall consist of strokes of equal length separated by uniform gaps. The speed of vehicles on the section of road or in the area in question should be taken into account in determining the length of the strokes and of the gaps between them.
5. Outside built-up areas a broken line should consist of strokes between 2 m and 10 m long. The length of the strokes forming the approach line referred to in paragraph 23 of this Annex should be from two to three times the length of the gaps.
6. In built-up areas, the length and spacing of the strokes should be less than they are outside built-up areas. The strokes may be reduced to 1 m. On certain main urban arteries where traffic moves fast, however, the characteristics of longitudinal markings may be the same as outside built-up areas.
B. Traffic lane markings
7. Traffic lanes shall be marked by broken lines, by continuous lines or by other appropriate means.
(i) Outside built-up areas
8. On two-way roads having two lanes, the centre line of the carriageway should be indicated by a longitudinal marking. This marking shall normally consist of a broken line. Continuous lines should only be used for this purpose in special circumstances.
9. On three-lane roads, the lanes should, as a general rule, be indicated by broken lines along sections where visibility is normal. In specific cases and in order to ensure greater traffic safety, continuous lines or broken lines adjacent to continuous lines may be used.
10. On carriageways having more than three traffic lanes, the two directions of traffic should be separated by one continuous line or by two continuous lines, except in cases where the direction of traffic in the central lanes can be reversed. In addition, the traffic lanes should be marked by broken lines (diagrams 1a and 1b).
(ii) In built-up areas
11. In built-up areas, the recommendations contained in paragraphs 8 to 10 of this Annex are applicable to two-way streets and to one-way streets with at least two traffic lanes.
12. Traffic lanes should be marked at points where the width of the roadway is reduced by kerbs, islands or directional islands.
13. At the approaches to major intersections (especially intersections where traffic is controlled), where the width is sufficient for two or more lines of vehicles, traffic lanes should be marked as shown in diagrams 2 and 3. In such cases, the lines marking the lanes may be supplemented with arrow markings (see para. 39 of this Annex).
C. Markings for particular situations
(i) Use of continuous lines
14. In order to improve traffic safety, the broken centre lines at certain intersections (diagram 4) should be replaced or supplemented by a continuous line (diagrams 5 and 6).
15. When it is necessary to prohibit the use of the part of the carriageway reserved for oncoming traffic at places where the range of vision is restricted (hill crest, bend in the road, etc.) or on sections where the carriageway is narrow or has some other peculiarity, restrictions should be imposed on sections where the range of vision is less than a certain minimum M, by means of a continuous line laid out in accordance with diagrams 7a to 16. * In countries where the design of motor vehicles justifies it, the eye level of 1 m indicated in diagrams 7a to 10a may be raised to 1.20 m.
16. The value to be adopted for M varies with road conditions. Diagrams 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d show, for two- and three-lane roads respectively, the design of the lines at a hill crest with a restricted range of vision. These diagrams correspond to the longitudinal section at the top of the same page and to a distance M specified in paragraph 24 below: A (or D) is the point where the range of vision becomes less than M, while C (or B) is the point where the range of vision again begins to exceed M. *
17. Where the sections AB and CD overlap, i.e. when forward visibility in both directions becomes greater than M before the crest of the hill is reached, the lines should be arranged in the same way, but the continuous lines alongside a broken line should not overlap. This is indicated in diagrams 9, 10a and 10b.
18. Diagrams 11a and 11b show the position of the lines for the same case on a curve with restricted range of vision on a two-lane road.
19. On three-lane roads two methods are possible. These are shown in diagrams 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d (or 10a and 10b). Diagram 8a (or 8b or 10a) should be used on roads carrying a substantial proportion of two-wheeled vehicles and diagrams 8c and 8d (or 10b) where the traffic consists mainly of four-wheeled vehicles. Diagram 11c shows the arrangement of the lines for the same case on a curve with restricted range of vision on a three-lane road.
20. Diagrams 12, 13 and 14 show the lines which indicate narrowing of the carriageway.
21. In diagrams 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 10a and 10b, the inclination of the oblique transition lines to the centre line should not exceed 1/20.
22. In diagrams 13 and 14 which show the lines used to indicate a change in width of the available carriageway, as well as in diagrams 15, 16 and 17 which show obstacles necessitating a deviation from the continuous line(s), the inclination of the line(s) should preferably be less than 1/50 on fast roads and less than 1/20 on roads where speeds do not exceed 50 km/h (30 m.p.h.). In addition, the oblique continuous lines should be preceded, in the direction to which they apply, by a continuous line parallel to the centre line of the roadway, the length of the continuous line being the distance covered in one second at the driving speed adopted.
23. When it is not necessary to mark the traffic lanes by broken lines on a normal section of road, the continuous line should be preceded by an approach line consisting of a broken line, for a distance of at least 50 m, depending on the normal speed of the vehicles using the road. Where the traffic lanes are marked by broken lines on a normal section of road, the continuous line should also be preceded by an approach line for a distance of at least 50 m, depending on the normal speed of the vehicles using the road. The marking may be supplemented by one or more arrows showing drivers which lane they should take.
(ii) Conditions for the use of continuous lines
24. The choice of range of vision to be used in determining the sections on which a continuous line is or is not desirable, and the choice of the length of the line, is bound to be a compromise. The following table gives the recommended value of M for various approach speeds: *
| Approach speed | Range of values of M | |
| 100 km/h (60 m.p.h.) | 160 m to 320 m | |
| 80 km/h (50 m.p.h.) | 130 m to 260 m | |
| 65 km/h (40 m.p.h.) | 90 m to 180 m | |
| 50 km/h (30 m.p.h.) | 60 m to 120 m |
25. For speeds not given in the preceding table the value of M should be calculated by interpolation or extrapolation.
D. Border lines indicating the limits of the carriageway
26. The limits of the carriageway shall preferably be marked by continuous lines. Studs, buttons or reflex reflectors may be used in conjunction with these lines.
E. Marking of obstructions
27. Diagrams 15, 16 and 17 show the markings to be used near an island or any other obstruction on the carriageway.
F. Guidelines for turning vehicles
28. At certain intersections it is desirable to show drivers how to turn left, in countries with right-hand traffic, or how to turn right in countries with left-hand traffic.
G. Road markings for a lane reserved for certain categories of vehicle
28 bis. The marking of lanes reserved for certain categories of vehicle shall be by means of lines which should be clearly distinguished from other continuous or broken lines of the carriageway, notably by being wider and with less space between strokes. With respect to a lane reserved primarily for buses, the word „BUS” or the letter „A” shall be marked on the reserved lane wherever necessary and specifically at the beginning of the lane and after intersections. Diagrams 28a and 28b show examples of markings for a lane reserved for regular public transport service vehicles.
A. General
29. Because of the angle at which the driver sees markings on the carriageway, transverse markings shall be wider than longitudinal markings.
B. Stop lines
30. The minimum width of a stop line shall be 0.20 m and the maximum 0.60 m. A width of 0.30 m is recommended.
31. When used in conjunction with a STOP sign, the stop line should be placed in such a position that a driver who stops immediately behind the line has the clearest possible view of the traffic on the other arms of the intersection consistent with the requirements of other vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
32. Stop lines may be supplemented by longitudinal lines (diagrams 18 and 19). They may also be supplemented by the word „STOP” inscribed on the carriageway as shown in the examples given in diagrams 20 and 21. The distance between the top of the letters of the word „STOP” and the stop line should be between 2 m and 25 m.
C. Lines indicating points at which drivers must give way
33. The minimum width of these lines should be 0.20 m and the maximum width 0.60 m; if there are two lines, the distance between them should be at least 0.30 m. The line may be replaced by triangles marked side by side on the ground with their vertices pointing towards the driver who is required to give way. The bases of these triangles should measure at least 0.40 m but not more than 0.60 m and their height should be at least 0.60 m but not more than 0.70 m.
34. Transverse marking(s) should be placed in the same positions as the stop lines referred to in paragraph 31 of this Annex.
35. The marking(s) referred to in paragraph 34 above may be supplemented by a triangle drawn on the carriageway as shown in the example given in diagram 22. The distance between the base of the triangle and the transverse marking should be between 2 m and 25 m. The base of the triangle shall be at least 1 m; its height shall be three times its base.
36. This transverse marking may be supplemented by longitudinal lines.
D. Pedestrian crossings
37. The space between the stripes marking a pedestrian crossing should be at least equal to the width of the stripes and not more than twice that width: the width of a space and a stripe together should be between 1 m and 1.40 m. The minimum width recommended for pedestrian crossings is 2.5 m on roads on which the speed limit is 60 km/h, and 4 m on roads in which the speed limit is higher or there is no speed limit.
E. Cyclist crossings
38. Cyclist crossings should be indicated by two broken lines. The broken line should preferably be made up of squares (0.40-0.60)x(0.40-0.60) m. The distance between the squares should be 0.40-0.60 m. The width of the crossings should be not less than 1.80 m. Studs and buttons are not recommended.
A. Arrow markings
39. On roads having sufficient traffic lanes to separate vehicles approaching an intersection, the lanes which traffic should use may be indicated by arrow markings on the surface of the carriageway (diagrams 2, 3, 19 and 23). Arrows may also be used or a one-way road to confirm the direction of traffic. The arrow should not be less than 2 m long. They may be supplemented by word markings on the carriageway.
B. Oblique parallel lines
40. Diagrams 24 and 25 give examples of areas which vehicles should not enter.
C. Word markings
41. Word markings on the carriageway may be used for the purpose of regulating traffic or warning or guiding road users. The words used should preferably be either place names, highway numbers or words which are easily understandable internationally (e.g. „Stop”, „Bus”, „Taxi”).
42. The letters should be considerably elongated in the direction of traffic movement because of the small angle at which they are seen by approaching drivers (diagram 20).
43. Where approach speeds exceed 50 km/h (30 m.p.h.), the letters should be at least 2.5 m in height.
D. Standing and parking regulations
44. Standing and parking restrictions may be indicated by markings on the kerbs or on the carriageway. Parking space limits may be indicated on the surface of the carriageway by appropriate lines.
E. Markings on the carriageway and on adjacent structures
(i) Markings indicating parking restrictions
45. Diagram 26 gives an example of a zigzag line.
(ii) Marking of obstructions
46. Diagram 27 gives an example of a marking on an obstacle.
EUROPEAN AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENTING THE CONVENTION ON ROAD SIGNS AND SIGNALS
OPENED FOR SIGNATURE AT VIENNA ON 8 NOVEMBER 1968
The Contracting Parties, being also Parties to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968,
desiring to achieve greater uniformity in the rules governing road signs, signals and symbols and road markings in Europe,
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
The Contracting Parties, being also Parties to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968, shall take appropriate measures to ensure that the system of road signs and signals and of road markings applied in their territories conforms to the provisions of the annex to this Agreement.
Article 2
1. This Agreement shall be open until 30 April 1972 for signature by States which are signatories to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968, or have acceded thereto, and are either members of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe or have been admitted to the Commission in a consultative capacity in conformity with paragraph 8 of the terms of reference of the Commission.
2. This Agreement shall be subject to ratification after the State concerned has ratified the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968, or has acceded thereto. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
3. This Agreement shall remain open for accession by any of the States referred to in paragraph 1 of this article which are Parties to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968. The instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General.
Article 3
1. Any State may, at the time of signing or ratifying this Agreement, or of acceding thereto, or at any time thereafter, declare by notification addressed to the Secretary-General that the Agreement shall become applicable to all or any of the territories for the international relations of which it is responsible. The Agreement shall become applicable to the territory or territories named in the notification thirty days after the receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General or on the date of entry into force of the Agreement for the State making the notification, whichever is the later.
2. Any State which has made a declaration under paragraph 1 of this article may at any time thereafter declare by notification addressed to the Secretary-General that the Agreement shall cease to be applicable to the territory named in the notification and the Agreement shall cease to be applicable to such territory one year from the date of receipt by the Secretary-General of the notification.
Article 4
1. This Agreement shall enter into force twelve months after the date of deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification or accession.
2. For each State ratifying, or acceding to, this Agreement after the deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification or accession, the Agreement shall enter into force twelve months after the date of deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.
3. If the date of entry into force applicable in pursuance of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article precedes that resulting from the application of Article 39 of the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968, this Agreement shall enter into force within the meaning of paragraph 1 of this article on the later of those two dates.
Article 5
Upon its entry into force, this Agreement shall terminate and replace, in relations between the Contracting Parties, the provisions concerning the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals contained in the European Agreement supplementing the Convention on Road Traffic and the Protocol on Road Signs and Signals of 1949, signed at Geneva on 16 September 1950, the Agreement on Signs for Road Works signed at Geneva on 16 December 1955, and the European Agreement on Road Markings signed at Geneva on 13 December 1957.
Article 6
1. After this Agreement has been in force for twelve months, any Contracting Party may propose one or more amendments to the Agreement. The text of any proposed amendment, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum, shall be transmitted to the Secretary-General, who shall communicate it to all Contracting Parties. The Contracting Parties shall have the opportunity of informing him within a period of twelve months following the date of its circulation whether they: (a) accept the amendment; or (b) reject the amendment; or (c) wish that a conference be convened to consider the amendment. The Secretary-General shall also transmit the text of the proposed amendment to the other States referred to in article 2 of this Agreement.
2. (a) Any proposed amendment communicated in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article shall be deemed to be accepted if within the period of twelve months referred to in the preceding paragraph less than one-third of the Contracting Parties inform the Secretary-General that they either reject the amendment or wish that a conference be convened to consider it. The Secretary-General shall notify all Contracting Parties of each acceptance or rejection of any proposed amendment and of requests that a conference be convened. If the total number of such rejections and requests received during the specified period of twelve months is less than one-third of the total number of Contracting Parties, the Secretary-General shall notify all Contracting Parties that the amendment will enter into force six months after the expiry of the period of twelve months referred to in paragraph 1 of this article for all Contracting Parties except those which, during the period specified, have rejected the amendment or requested the convening of a conference to consider it.
(b) Any Contracting Party which, during the said period of twelve months, has rejected a proposed amendment or requested the convening of a conference to consider it may at any time after the end of such period notify the Secretary-General that it accepts the amendment, and the Secretary-General shall communicate such notification to all the other Contracting Parties. The amendment shall enter into force, with respect to the Contracting Party which has notified its acceptance, six months after the date on which the Secretary-General receives the notification.
3. If a proposed amendment has not been accepted in accordance with paragraph 2 of this article and if within the period of twelve months specified in paragraph 1 of this article less than half of the total number of the Contracting Parties inform the Secretary-General that they reject the proposed amendment and if at least one-third of the total number of Contracting Parties, but not less than five, inform him that they accept it or wish a conference to be convened to consider it, the Secretary-General shall convene a conference for the purpose of considering the proposed amendment or any other proposal which may be submitted to him in accordance with paragraph 4 of this article.
4. If a conference is convened in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article, the Secretary-General shall invite to it all the Contracting Parties and the other States referred to in article 2 of this Agreement. He shall request all States invited to the Conference to submit to him, at least six months before its opening date, any proposals which they may wish the Conference to consider in addition to the proposed amendment and shall communicate such proposals, at least three months before the opening date of the conference, to all States invited to the Conference.
5. (a) Any amendment to this Agreement shall be deemed to be accepted if it has been adopted by a two-thirds majority of the States represented at the Conference, provided that such majority comprises at least two thirds of the Contracting Parties represented at the Conference. The Secretary-General shall notify all Contracting Parties of the adoption of the amendment, and the amendment shall enter into force twelve months after the date of this notification for all Contracting Parties except those which during that period have notified the Secretary-General that they reject the amendment.
(b) A Contracting Party which has rejected an amendment during the said period of twelve months may at any time notify the Secretary-General that it accepts the amendment, and the Secretary-General shall communicate such notification to all the other Contracting Parties. The amendment shall enter into force, with respect to the Contracting Party which has notified its acceptance, six months after receipt by the Secretary-General of the notification or at the end of the said period of twelve months, whichever is later.
6. If the proposed amendment is not deemed to be accepted pursuant to paragraph 2 of this article and if the conditions prescribed by paragraph 3 of this article for convening a conference are not fulfilled, the proposed amendment shall be deemed to be rejected.
7. Independently of the amendment procedure prescribed in paragraphs 1-6 of this article, the annex to this Agreement may be amended by agreement between the competent administrations of all Contracting Parties. If the administration of a Contracting Party states that its national law obliges it to subordinate its agreement to the grant of a specific authorization or to the approval of a legislative body, the competent administration of the Contracting Party in question shall be considered to have consented to the amendment to the annex only at such time as it notifies the Secretary-General that it has obtained the required authorization or approval. The agreement between the competent administrations may provide that, during a transitional period, the former provisions of the annex shall remain in force, in whole or in part, simultaneously with the new provisions. The Secretary-General shall appoint the date of entry into force of the new provisions.
8. Each State shall, at the time of signing, ratifying, or acceding to, this Agreement, inform the Secretary-General of the name and address of its administration competent in the matter of agreement as contemplated in paragraph 7 of this article.
Article 7
Any Contracting Party may denounce this Agreement by written notification addressed to the Secretary-General. The denunciation shall take effect one year after the date of receipt by the Secretary-General of such notification. Any Contracting Party which ceases to be a Party to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968 shall on the same date cease to be a Party to this Agreement.
Article 8
This Agreement shall cease to be in force if the number of Contracting Parties is less than five for any period of twelve consecutive months, or at such time as the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968 ceases to be in force.
Article 9
1. Any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties which relates to the interpretation or application of this Agreement and which the Parties in dispute are unable to settle by negotiation or other means of settlement shall be referred to arbitration if any of the Contracting Parties in dispute so requests, and shall, to that end, be submitted to one or more arbitrators selected by mutual agreement between the Parties in dispute. If the Parties in dispute fail to agree on the choice of an arbitrator or arbitrators within three months after the request for arbitration, any of those Parties may request the Secretary-General of the United Nations to appoint a single arbitrator to whom the dispute shall be submitted for decision.
2. The award of the arbitrator or arbitrators appointed in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article shall be binding upon the Contracting Parties in dispute.
Article 10
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as preventing a Contracting Party from taking such action, compatible with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and limited to the exigencies of the situation, as it considers necessary to its external or internal security.
Article 11
1. Any State may, at the time of signing this Agreement or of depositing its instrument of ratification or accession, declare that it does not consider itself bound by article 9 of this Agreement. Other Contracting Parties shall not be bound by article 9 with respect to any Contracting Party which has made such a declaration.
2. Reservations to this Agreement, other than the reservation provided for in paragraph 1 of this article, shall be permitted on condition that they are formulated in writing and, if formulated before the deposit of the instrument of ratification or accession, are confirmed in that instrument.
3. Any State shall, at the time of depositing its instrument of ratification of this Agreement or of accession thereto, notify the Secretary-General in writing to what extent any reservation made by it to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968 apply to this Agreement. Any reservations to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals which have not been included in the notification made at the time of depositing the instrument of ratification of this Agreement or of accession thereto shall be deemed to be inapplicable to this Agreement.
4. The Secretary-General shall communicate the reservations and notifications made pursuant to this article to all States referred to in article 2 of this Agreement.
5. Any State which has made a declaration, a reservation or a notification under this article may withdraw it at any time by notification addressed to the Secretary-General.
6. Any reservation made in accordance with paragraph 2 or notified in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article,
(a) modifies, for the Contracting Party which has made or notified the reservation, the provisions of the Agreement to which the reservation relates, to the extent of the reservation;
(b) modifies those provisions to the same extent for the other Contracting Parties in their relations with the Contracting Party which made or notified the reservation.
Article 12
In addition to the declarations, notifications and communications provided for in articles 6 and 11 of this Agreement, the Secretary-General shall notify the Contracting Parties and the other States referred to in article 2 of the following:
(a) signatures, ratifications and accessions under article 2;
(b) notifications and declarations under article 3;
(c) the dates of entry into force of this Agreement in accordance with article 4;
(d) the date of entry into force of amendments to this Agreement in accordance with article 6, paragraphs 2, 5 and 7;
(e) denunciations under article 7;
(f) the termination of this Agreement under article 8.
Article 13
After 30 April 1972, the original of this Agreement shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall send certified true copies to all the States referred to in article 2 of this Agreement.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Geneva, this first day of May nineteen hundred and seventy-one, in a single copy in the English, French and Russian languages, the three texts being equally authentic.
ANNEX *
1. For the purpose of this annex, the term „Convention” means the Convention on Road Signs and Signals opened for signature at Vienna on 8 November 1968.
2. This annex contains only the additions to, and modifications of the corresponding provisions of the Convention.
3. Ad article 1 of the Convention (Definitions)
Subparagraph (b)
This subparagraph shall be read as follows: „’Built-up area’ means an area with entries and exits specially signposted as such;”
Additional subparagraph to be inserted immediately after subparagraph (b) of this article
This subparagraph shall be read as follows: „’Residential area’ means a specially-designed area where special traffic rules apply and which is signposted as such at its entries and exits.”
Subparagraph (l)
Three-wheeled vehicles whose unladen mass does not exceed 400 kg shall be treated as motor cycles.
Additional subparagraph to be inserted at the end of this article
This subparagraph shall be read as follows: „Persons pushing or pulling a child’s carriage, a bath chair or invalid chair, or any other small vehicle without and engine, or pulling a cycle or moped and handicapped persons travelling in invalid chairs propelled by such persons or moving at walking pace shall be treated as pedestrians.”
4. Ad article 3 of the Convention (Obligations of the Contracting Parties)
Paragraph 3
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „Any sign, symbol, installation or marking which does not conform to the system prescribed in the Convention and in this Agreement shall be replaced within ten years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement. During this period, in order to familiarize road-users with the system prescribed in the Convention and in this Agreement, previous signs, symbols and inscriptions may be retained beside those prescribed in the Convention and in this Agreement.”
5. Ad article 6 of the Convention
Paragraph 4
The provisions of this paragraph, which are recommendations in the Convention, shall be obligatory.
6. Ad article 7 of the Convention
Paragraph 1
Additional sentence to be inserted at the end of this paragraph
This sentence shall be read as follows: „In addition, in the case of such signs it is recommended that signs lighted or equipped with reflecting material or reflecting devices and signs not so lighted or equipped should not be used on the same section of road.”
7. Ad article 8 of the Convention
Paragraph 3
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „During the transitional period of ten years prescribed in item 4 of this annex, and thereafter in exceptional circumstances to facilitate the interpretation of signs, an inscription may be added in a rectangular panel below the sign or in a rectangular panel containing the sign; such an inscription may also be placed on the sign itself, if this does not make the sign more difficult to understand for drivers who cannot understand the inscription.”
8. Ad article 9 of the Convention
Paragraph 1
Each State shall select Aa as the model for danger warning signs.
9. Ad article 10 of the Convention (Priority Signs)
Paragraph 3
Each State shall select B,2a as the model for the „STOP” sign.
Paragraph 6
To give advance warning of sign B,1, the same sign supplemented by additional panel H,1 described in annex 1, section H to the Convention shall be used.
To give advance warning of sign B,2a, sign B,1, supplemented by a rectangular panel bearing the „STOP” symbol and a figure indicating the distance to the sign B,2a, shall be used.
9 bis. Ad article 13 bis of the Convention (Special regulation signs)
Paragraph 2
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „Signs E,7a: E,7b or E,7c and E,8a; E,8b; or E,8c shall notify road-users that the general regulations governing traffic in built-up areas in the territory of the State apply from signs E,7a; E,7b or E,7c to signs E,8a; E,8b or E,8c except in so far as different regulations may be notified by other signs on certain sections of road ih the built-up area. They shall bear inscriptions in a dark colour on a white or light-coloured ground and shall be placed respectively at the entries and exits of a built-up area. However, sign B,4 shall always beplaced on a priority road marked with sign B,3 if that road ceases to have priority where it passes through the built-up area.”
10. Ad article 18 of the Convention (Place identification signs)
Place identification signs shall bear inscriptions in white or light colour on a dark-coloured ground.
11. Ad article 23 of the Convention (Signals for vehicular traffic)
Additional paragraph to be inserted immediately after paragraph 11 of this article
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „In special cases where it is not necessary to use light signals continuously, a signal in the form of a non-flashing amber light followed by a non-flashing red light may be used; the non-flashing amber light may be preceded by a flashing amber light.”
12. Ad article 24 of the Convention (Signals for pedestrians only)
Paragraph 1, subparagraph (a) (ii)
This provision shall not be applied.
Paragraph 2
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „Light signals for pedestrians shall be of the two-colour system, comprising two lights, red and green respectively. Two lights shall never be shown simultaneously.”
Paragraph 3
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „The lights shall be arranged vertically, with the red light always at the top and the green light always at the bottom. The red light shall be in the form of a standing pedestrian or of standing pedestrians and the green light in the form of a walking pedestrian or of walking pedestrians.”
13. Ad article 31 of the Convention (Signs for road works)
Paragraph 2
The barriers shall not be painted with alternate, black and white or black and yellow stripes.
14. Ad article 32 of the Convention (Marking by lights or reflecting devices)
This article shall be read as follows:
„1. It is recommended that attention should be drawn to the presence of bollards or islands on the carriageway by means of white or yellow lights or white or yellow reflecting devices.
2. If the edges of the carriageway are marked by means of lights or reflecting devices, the lights or reflecting devices shall be either:
(a) all white or light yellow; or
(b) white or light yellow to mark the edge of the carriageway opposite to the direction of traffic, and red or dark yellow to mark the edge of the carriageway appropriate to the direction of traffic.
3. Each State Party to this Agreement shall adopt for the whole of its territory the same colour or the same system of colours for the lights or reflecting devices referred to in this article.”
15. Ad article 33 of the Convention
Paragraph 1, subparagraph (a)
This subparagraph shall be read as follows: „Where a signalling system is installed at a level-crossing to give warning of the approach of trains or of the imminent closing of the gates (barriers) or half-gates (half-barriers), it shall consist of a red flashing light or of red lights flashing alternately, as specified in article 23, paragraph 1 (b), of the Convention. At level-crossings which have neither gates (barriers) nor half-gates (half-barriers), the signalling system shall preferably consist of two red lights flashing alternately. However:
(i) Flashing red lights may be supplemented or replaced by light signals of the three-colour red-amber-green system described in article 23, paragraph 2, of the Convention, or by such a signal without the green light if other three-colour light signals are installed on the road near the level-crossing or if the crossing is equipped with gates (barriers). Flashing red lights at level-crossings having halfgates (half-barriers) may not be replaced in the manner specified in the preceding sentence; they may however be supplemented in that manner on condition that other three-colour light signals are installed on the road near the level-crossing;
(ii) On earth-tracks (dirt roads) where traffic is very light, and on footpaths, only a sound signal need be used.”
Paragraph 2
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „The light signals shall be installed on the edge of the carriageway appropriate to the direction of traffic; whenever conditions such as the visibility of the signals or the density of traffic so require, the lights shall be repeated on the other side of the road. However, if it is considered preferable because of local conditions, the lights may be repeated above the carriageway or on an island in the carriageway.”
16. Ad article 35 of the Convention
Paragraph 1
The gates (barriers) and half-gates (half-barriers) of level-crossings shall not be marked in alternate stripes of black and white or black and yellow.
17. Ad annex 1, section A, subsection ll, to the Convention
Paragraph 2 (Dangerous descent)
This paragraph shall be read as follows:
„(a) To give warning of a steep descent, symbol A,2a shall be used.
(b) The left-hand part of symbol A,2a shall occupy the left-hand corner of the sign panel and its base shall extend over the whole width of the panel; the figure shows the gradient as a percentage.”
Paragraph 3 (Steep ascent)
This paragraph shall be read as follows:
„(a) To give warning of a steep ascent, symbol A3a shall be used.
(b) The right-hand part of symbol A,3a shall occupy the right-hand corner of the sign panel and its base shall extend over the whole width of the panel; the figure shows the gradient as a percentage.”
Paragraph 12 (Pedestrian crossing)
This paragraph shall be read as follows:
„(a) Warning of a pedestrian crossing shall be given by symbol A,12a.
(b) The symbol may be reversed.”
Paragraph 18 (Intersection where the priority is prescribed by the general priority rule)
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „Warning of an intersection where the priority is that prescribed by the general priority rule in force in the country shall be given by symbol A,18a.”
Paragraph 20 (Intersection with a road to whose users drivers must give way)
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „Sign B,1 or sign B,2a shall be used in conformity with the provisions of item 9 of this annex.”
Paragraph 22 (Intersection where traffic is regulated by a light signal)
This paragraph shall be read as follows: „If traffic at the intersection is regulated by a light signal, a sign Aa, bearing the symbol A,17 described in paragraph 17 above, may be set up to supplement or replace the signs described in paragraphs 18 to 21 above.”
Paragraph 26 (Other level crossings)
Subparagraph (b)
This subparagraph shall be read as follows: „Warning of other level-crossings shall be given by symbol A,263 or by symbol A,27 as appropriate.
Paragraph 28 (Signs to be placed in the immediate vicinity of level-crossings)
Model A,28c of sign A,28 shall not be used.
