Stop sign

The stop sign is a sign which is often met at crossroads, when a road does not have traffic lights. This sign instruct the drivers to stop when they reach the crossroad. They can only proceed when the road ahead is empty. Otherwise they must wait for the other vehicles to pass. When the other vehicle have passed, the driver can proceed. This sign is one of the most significant and known signs of road traffic.

Variants for the stop sign

The stop sign is not common in every country. In some countries the stop sign is also written in the local language for example in Quebec (Canada), Japan etc. Some decades ago a different symbol was used to indicate the stop sign.

Stop signs around the world

Argentina
Belarus
Stop sign.svg .1x

Canada (English-speaking communities)
Canada (Quebec and other French-speaking communities)
Canada (Nunavut, Inuit-speaking communities)
Canada (Abenaki-speaking communities)
Canada (Cree-speaking communities)
Canada (Mi'Kmaq-speaking communities)
Canada (Mohawk-speaking communities)
Canada (Wendat-speaking communities)
China
Cuba
Ethiopia
Hong Kong
Iran
Ireland (English)
Ireland (Gaeilge)
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Laos
Libya
Mexico
Mongolia
Morocco
Morocco (Berber-speaking communities)
Nepal
Netherlands
Northern Cyprus
Pakistan
Poland
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan
Thailand
Tonga
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United States
United States (Puerto Rico)
United States (Cherokee-speaking communities)
Zimbabwe

Old stop signs

Former UK stop sign until 1975 (still used in the Bahamas)
Old version of the STOP sign in the United Arab Emirates
Old Italian stop sign until 1992
Old Finnish stop sign (1957-1971)
Old Swedish stop sign
Stop sign used in South Vietnam
First German stop sign (1937)
Second German stop sign (1939-53)
German stop sign (1953-56)
German stop sign (1956-71)
Old American stop sign

Stop Ahead signs

Stop Ahead sign in Argentina
Stop Ahead sign in Australia
Stop Ahead sign in Belgium
Stop Ahead sign in Bolivia
Canada - stop ahead.svg

Stop Ahead sign in Canada
China - Stop Ahead.svg

Stop Ahead sign in China
Stop Ahead sign in France (much of Europe follows this style)
Stop Ahead sign in Ireland
Stop Ahead sign in Israel
Stop Ahead sign in Mexico
Stop Ahead sign in New Zealand
Stop Ahead sign in Pakistan
Stop Ahead sign in Poland
South Africa - Stop Ahead.svg

Stop Ahead sign in South Africa
South Africa - Stop Ahead (temporary).svg

Temporary Stop Ahead sign in South Africa
Thai Stop Sign Ahead.svg

Thailand
Stop Ahead sign in the United States
Alternative Stop Ahead sign in the United States