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Evidence suggests the signal colors were borrowed from the railroads, where red meant "stop," green meant "caution," and clear (white) meant "go." These came into use in the 1830s and 40s. Around 1914, a broken red lens caused a locomotive engineer to mistake this for a clear "go" and smash into an oncoming train with disasterous results (another example of Deadly Design). Subsequently, the red/yellow/green signals we use today were adopted; yellow was thought to provide the greatest contrast to the other two colors. Red has been a symbol of danger since the time of the Greeks. The reasons for the use of green have been lost to history.

However, not all stop signs are red.

The Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals standardized colors for stop signs are either an octagon with a red background, white border, and the word Stop written in white or a circular shape with a yellow or white background, red border, and the word Stop written in blue, or black inside red inverted triangle. 62 countries, including the UK, have signed the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

The US uses the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which states that the minimum requirements for stop signs are a 30"x 30" octagon with white lettering and border on a red background. Canda, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland use road signs based on the MUTCD.

Japan uses an inverted solid red triangle and Zimbabwe uses a disc bearing a black cross.

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Q: Why are stop signs red?
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Related questions

What shape are ice cream truck stop signs?

always red octagon like the stop signs on the road.


What things are red octagon stop signs attached to?

Stop signs are attached to either wood or metal poles. Stop signs may also be attached to a school bus to be used when students are loading or unloading.


Are all stop signs red?

No. The Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals standardized colors for stop signs are either an octagon with a red background, white border, and the word Stop written in white or a circular shape with a yellow or white background, red border, and the word Stop written in blue, or black inside red inverted triangle. 62 countries, including the UK, have signed the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The US uses the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which states that the minimum requirements for stop signs are a 30"x 30" octagon with white lettering and border on a red background. Canda, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland use road signs based on the MUTCD. Japan uses an inverted solid red triangle and Zimbabwe uses a disc bearing a black cross.


What color is a regulation sign?

They are often white, although some are red (stop and yield signs).


Why do stop signs appear red and white printer paper appear white?

Stop signs are red because it is a color that is easily noticed and associated with danger. White printer paper appears white because it reflects all wavelengths of light, making it appear white to the human eye.


What does the color red on a sign tell you?

The color red generally tells you "stop" or "don't." For example, stop signs are red, and a red circle and slash means that the thing pictured on the sign is prohibited. Red is universally regarded as a "warning" colour - DANGER!


A regulation sign is usually what color?

They are often white, although some are red (stop and yield signs).


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What is the best description for the stop sign used in traffic control?

In the US, STOP signs are Octagonal (8 sided), with a bright red background and white letters saying STOP.


Why do we humans have stop signs?

if we had no stop signs then we would probably have car accidents all the time! stop signs are really important.


Is it legal to have four 4-way stop signs and one 4-way flashing red light signal on the same intersection?

It's legal but redundant since the four-way flashing signals are quasi stop signs.


What things in ordinary life are red?

Some things in ordinary life that are red include apples, strawberries, stop signs, fire trucks, and red roses.