Busy intersections, high-speed crossings, and stops around sharp curves can pose serious danger to drivers and pedestrians – especially at night and in rain, snow, or fog. Whether posted on highways or back roads, in suburban neighborhoods or city streets, traffic safety signs communicate warnings, directions and other essential information. And while these signs do not have to be lit to be effective, lights certainly help make drivers more aware of them and improve traffic control.

At a time of year when construction crews are busy improving roads and highways, it’s hard to imagine there was ever a time when traffic cones did not exist. These colorful safety markers are used to divide and merge lane zones, provide direction around short-duration road maintenance and utility work, and warn drivers of unseen hazards like potholes and raised manhole covers. They can also be spotted in parking lots, on athletic fields, and even indoors where extra caution is needed.

Sign posts and supports play a critical role in maintaining traffic safety. But even the best signage will not protect drivers or pedestrians if it is not properly supported and maintained. This is especially important during the winter, when severe weather, snow removal equipment, and traffic accidents can lead to an increased number of downed or damaged signs.

September is Pedestrian Safety Month, and despite advances in technology that offer improved protection, pedestrians continue to be vulnerable to accidental injury and death. Here are walking safety tips and other suggestions for keeping pedestrians safe. 

Thousands of pedestrians are killed in motor vehicle traffic accidents each year, and many thousands more are injured. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian was killed every 88 minutes in traffic crashes in 2017, which is more than 16 people a day.

Pedestrian safety is a top priority in cities, towns and communities across the country. From posting signs with flashing lights at crosswalks to installing speed bumps to reduce vehicle speeds in areas frequented by pedestrians and cyclists, the focus is on increasing visibility at street crossings and alerting motorists to slow down.

Alerting motorists and pedestrians of roadwork, traffic detours or other potentially hazardous conditions is critical to maintaining driver and pedestrian safety on highways and local roads. Easy-to-read signs indicating detours and roadwork in progress are a vital tool for preventing accidents and injury, as well as ensuring the safety of the crews working in these potentially dangerous environments.

Winter weather can take a toll on road signs and sign posts, which often sustain damage from snowplowing operations and vehicle accidents resulting from slippery conditions or poor visibility. Traffic signs are critical because they communicate the rules, warnings, guidance and other highway agency information that drivers need to safely and efficiently navigate roads and streets. Well maintained signs help drivers make good decisions, so it is a traffic safety imperative to repair, reinstall or replace signs and sign posts that are damaged or missing.

Sign posts and supports play a critical role in maintaining driver and pedestrian safety. Even the best signage does little good if it is not visible, which means it must be properly supported and maintained. This is especially important during the winter months, when snow storms, plows and traffic accidents can result in an increased number of downed or damaged signs.

Wood and steel are the two primary materials used for small sign supports. When it comes to installing or replacing road signs, U-channel steel sign posts are undoubtedly the premium choice for sign supports.

Traffic cones are easily recognized as a common safety device worldwide. These brightly colored cones can be found almost anywhere, from construction zones and busy streets to shopping mall parking lots and athletic fields. They can even be seen indoors, along stairways and corridors where extra caution is called for.

Highly visible, durable, and portable, traffic and safety cones provide an immediate warning of potential danger. While cones are most commonly used as a traffic control device, they have become a multi-purpose safety tool that is useful in countless situations.

Orange traffic cones are a familiar sight on highways and city streets across the country. While it’s impossible to know the exact number, by some estimates there are roughly 140 million traffic cones in use worldwide.

They divide lanes in construction zones, provide direction around short-duration road maintenance and utility work, and warn drivers of unseen hazards such as potholes and raised manhole covers. They are also seen in parking lots, on athletic fields, and even indoors in areas where extra caution is needed.

Traffic cones are designed to be highly visible and easily movable. They come in various sizes and many different colors, with orange, yellow, and red being the most popular choices due to their brightness. Some versions can be topped with signs or connected with bars or chains.