Wherever you travel in B.C., you’ll find signs to help you get from point A to B, to direct you along roadways and to warn you. We’ve got all kinds of signs for posting along roadways – some to fit unique circumstances – others that you’ll rarely see beyond B.C.’s borders. Along with the more commonplace signs, you can see them in our 244-page Manual of Standard Traffic Signs & Pavement Markings and Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or Sign Catalogue
Rarely Sighted/Sited
Chances are high you haven’t seen a highway sign for laundry services or a dollmaker. But in the case of the laundromat and welder signs pictured here, we have them for businesses located along highways, where those services are rare and far between. The sign for dollmaker is among our Tourist Services, Facilities and Attractions signs collection, the more typical of which would be potter or artist.
Especially Suited to B.C.
B.C.’s coastline, mountainous terrain and wide variety of wildlife mean we have signs here, you won’t find in some other parts of Canada. (Don’t look for a whale watching sign in Manitoba!) Chances are you won’t see signs that warn of mountain goats, advise of a runaway lane for trucks that have failing brakes while travelling down steep hills, or tell motorists not to stop in avalanche areas, in flat Saskatchewan.
Signs of the Times
Our signs have changed over the time, to reflect the thinking behind them. For example the ministry’s 1955 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, purposely misaligns the letters for “bump” to express the jostled feeling of riding over uneven terrain. The sign on the right is the current way to warn of rough road or a bump.
Symbols have become the preferred way to communicate a message, rather than words. The sign on the right is far more likely to be understood by travellers who communicate in a language other than English. Which do you think more effectively warns of areas frequently visited by leaping four-legged creatures?
What’s the most unusual sign you’ve seen on a B.C. highway?
Very fascinating to see the old signs. Would it be possible to send me a copy of the 1955 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices? I would love to take a look at it! Thank you.
Good morning Colton!
We do have a scanned copy of this document and I will send it to your email address today. Safe travels!
Hello again Colton – the message with the attachment has been returned for being to large in file size for your email server. Do you have another email address we could send it to?
Yes. I put my other email address in the email address field.
Sent!
Enjoy.
It’s always interesting to see how the signage system has changed through the years. I was wondering if you could possibly send me a copy of the 1955 manual to my email address. That would be awesome.
Hi Pierre – we do have the scanned copy – but it is quite large. Should we send it to the email you have listed with us?
Yes please, that would be great. Just use the @web.de address or @hotmail.de which is the same at the beginning .
Thank you very much. °(^¬^)°
Sent. Please let us know that you got it.
Thanks Pierre!
Hi. I’m a long time fan of mountain goats. I’ve searched the internet high and low for the mountain goat sign like the one on this page after seeing it at a construction zone in Yoho National Park. Do you know where I can purchase one (to be shipped to, ironically enough, flat-as-a-board Delaware) or where I can find a high resolution version of the silhouette so I can have one custom made? Thanks!
Hi Lowell,
You can order yourself one from one of our sign suppliers:
Steve Hocaluk
Sherine Industries Ltd.
Ph: 1-800-665-0566
Very interesting read! I was pleased to see a peek at the Ministry’s 1955 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices – any chance I could get a scanned copy?
Hello Darryl,
We have sent a scanned copy of the manual to the email you provided. Thanks for connecting with us here.
I didn’t know this, but apparently in BC the signs “RUNAWAY LANES” mean toilet or picnic services and parking?
Uh oh! Do you recall where you saw this Mike?
“Don’t look for a whale watching sign in Manitoba!”
Perhaps they don’t have signs, but it’s worth mentioning that Manitoba does have whales and whale watching tours out of Churchill.
Good to know!
Hi Folks — Just finished a run on 97 + 16 and glimpsed a sign I’d never seen before — black box inside a green circle. At first, I thought it meant some serious ski runs ahead, but later figured it might sign an approved route for moving dangerous materials. Correct?
K
Hi Kate –
You are correct. The black diamond within a green circle means dangerous hazardous goods are permitted to be transported on that particular route and roadway. The same diamond surrounded by a red circle and bar across it means just the opposite. Thanks for the comment and if you have any other questions about signs on BC highways, or anything else transportation in BC – let us know.