Comment Re:Having lived in both Germany and the US (Score 2, Insightful) 604
You do realize that U.S. traffic signs were designed in a time when literacy wasn't nearly as high as it is now, in fact, all U.S. traffic signs were designed, from the outset, so they can be understood by the illiterate. You don't need to know English to know that a red, octagonal sign is a stop sign. Nor do you need to know English to know you are on an interstate, considering that the sign is shaped and colored differently than state highways or local roads.
Numbers also are universally understood, a 4 is still written as 4 no matter if it its called "four" or "cuatro". This is the reason why all traffic signs in the U.S. look so different from each other to differentiate between different functions. Even the yellow, triangular, warning signs use icons rather than text. In my state, in order to get your license(after the written and driver's test), and to renew it afterward, you must identify signs WITHOUT the text, blank stop signs, blank wrong way signs, etc.
Even Speed limits aren't that much of a problem, however, because all American made cars used in America have speedometers that emphasize miles, but also list kilometers per hour as well. Basically, when in America, you match the big number with the MPH for the road you are on. When in a metric country, use the small numbers.
Numbers also are universally understood, a 4 is still written as 4 no matter if it its called "four" or "cuatro". This is the reason why all traffic signs in the U.S. look so different from each other to differentiate between different functions. Even the yellow, triangular, warning signs use icons rather than text. In my state, in order to get your license(after the written and driver's test), and to renew it afterward, you must identify signs WITHOUT the text, blank stop signs, blank wrong way signs, etc.
Even Speed limits aren't that much of a problem, however, because all American made cars used in America have speedometers that emphasize miles, but also list kilometers per hour as well. Basically, when in America, you match the big number with the MPH for the road you are on. When in a metric country, use the small numbers.
