Signs, signals and markings in Saskatchewan

By the end of this topic you can

• You can identify signs by shape and colour.
• You can respond correctly to every traffic light, arrow and flashing signal.
• You can cross a railway safely.
• You can read crossroad delineators at rural intersections.

What you need to know and understand

• A red octagon means stop. A triangle with a red border means yield.
• Diamond-shaped yellow signs warn of hazards. Orange diamond signs mark construction and maintenance.
• School zone signs are pentagons with a fluorescent yellow-green background.
• A railway crossbuck has the same meaning as a yield sign.
• A flashing red light means stop, then go when safe. A flashing amber light means proceed with caution.
• Never drive around lowered railway crossing gates.
• A slow-moving vehicle sign marks vehicles that travel under 40 km/h.

Shapes and colours at a glance

• Octagon (red): stop.
• Triangle (red border, white): yield.
• Rectangle or square (white): regulatory, such as speed limits and turn rules.
• Diamond (yellow): warning of a curve, hill, intersection or other hazard.
• Diamond (orange): construction or maintenance ahead.
• Pentagon (fluorescent yellow-green): school zone. Older blue versions are being replaced.
• Crossbuck: railway crossing.
• Green signs: direction and permitted movement. Blue signs: services and information.

Reading traffic signals

• Green: go if the intersection is clear. When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Amber: stop before the crosswalk unless you are already in the intersection or cannot stop safely.
• Red: stop and stay stopped. A right turn is allowed after stopping and yielding unless a sign forbids it.
• Solid green arrow with a red light: go only in the arrow's direction after yielding.
• Flashing green left arrow: you may turn left. An amber arrow afterwards means the light is about to turn green for both directions.
• Flashing amber: proceed with caution.
• Flashing red: stop, then proceed when safe.

Railway crossings and rural delineators

Look for trains at every crossing, even those with signals. Never stop on the tracks; wait until you can clear the crossing. After a train passes, check for another train before moving. At crossings with flashing lights but no gates, you may cross after stopping if it is safe and no train is closely approaching. If gates are down, wait until they rise. Some concealed crossings have an advance flashing amber light.

At many rural intersections with stop or yield signs, triangular reflectors called crossroad delineators show what kind of road you are crossing. Three mean a highway, grid road, community access road or major street. Two mean a main farm access road, improved all-weather road or intermediate urban street. One means a minor rural road or local street.

Work zone signs

Construction signs are orange with black letters or symbols. A traffic control person, survey crew or highway workers sign marks the start of a work zone. Drive at the posted speed through the whole zone and at 60 km/h or less when passing a worker, flag person or occupied equipment. Our Saskatchewan traffic lights guide and study guide cover more signals and markings.

Common mistakes

• Treating a flashing red light like a flashing amber. Flashing red always means stop first.
• Racing a train or driving around crossing gates.
• Speeding up on an amber light to beat the red.
• Ignoring a no right turn on red sign.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Saskatchewan

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• SGI Driver’s Handbook Study Guide
• Saskatchewan Traffic Lights
• How to Get a Driver’s Licence in Saskatchewan