Priority signsMexico
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Information signsPriority signs
A priority sign is a traffic sign that indicates the order in which vehicles shall pass intersection points. Vehicles often come into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians because their intended courses of travel intersect, and thus interfere with each other's routes. The general principle that establishes who has the right to go first is called 'right of way' or 'priority'. It establishes who has the right to use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other does so. The vehicle that does not need to wait is said to 'have the right of way' or to 'have priority.'
What should I know about priority signs in Mexico?
ALTO and CEDA EL PASO are restrictive signs with distinctive designs. ALTO requires stopping; CEDA EL PASO requires yielding.
Must you always stop when giving way in Mexico?
No. A give-way control requires stopping when necessary to yield or obtain a safe view. A stop sign requires a complete stop even if the road appears empty.
1. Stop and give way
This traffic sign means stop and give way. You must come to a complete stop before entering the intersection and give way to traffic that has priority. Proceed only when it is safe.
English • Traffic sign SR-6 • Stop. Stop completely at the indicated point. Proceed only without risk of conflict with other road users.
Español • SR-6 • Alto. Detenga completamente el vehículo en el punto indicado. Reanude la marcha únicamente cuando pueda hacerlo sin riesgo de conflicto con los demás usuarios de la vía.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 193 del PDF
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2022-11-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Mexican federal Manual de señalización y dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (2024): Dof.gob.mx • SR-6, PDF page 193. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
2. Give way
This traffic sign means give way. Slow down and give way to traffic that has priority. Stop if necessary and proceed only when it is safe.
English • Traffic sign SR-7 • Give way. Reduce speed and stop if necessary to give priority to traffic on the road being crossed or joined.
Español • SR-7 • Ceda el paso. Disminuya la velocidad y deténgase si es necesario para ceder el paso al tránsito de la vía que va a cruzar o a la que se va a incorporar.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 193 del PDF
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2020-09-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Mexican federal Manual de señalización y dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (2024): Dof.gob.mx • SR-7, PDF page 193. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
3. Give way ahead
This traffic sign indicates give way ahead. A give-way requirement applies at the location ahead. Reduce speed in good time and be prepared to stop if necessary.
English • Traffic sign SP-31A • Give way ahead. Prepare to reduce speed and stop if necessary at the restriction.
Español • SP-31A • Ceda el paso próximo. Se aproxima una señal de ceda el paso. Prepárese para reducir la velocidad y detenerse si es necesario en el lugar de la restricción.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 160 del PDF
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-16. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Mexican federal Manual de señalización y dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (2024): Dof.gob.mx • SP-31A, PDF page 160. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
4. Stop and give way ahead
This traffic sign indicates stop and give way ahead. A stop sign applies at the location ahead. Reduce speed in good time and be prepared to come to a complete stop.
English • Traffic sign SP-31 • Stop ahead. Prepare to stop completely at the indicated point.
Español • SP-31 • Alto próximo. Se aproxima una señal de alto. Prepárese para detenerse completamente en el punto indicado.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 160 del PDF
Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2024-05-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Source revision 2024-05-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
5. Warning for a roundabout
This traffic sign indicates a warning for a roundabout. A roundabout lies ahead. Reduce speed and follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local roundabout rules when approaching and entering it.
English • Traffic sign SP-16 • Roundabout. A junction with a circular or oval central island is ahead. Reduce speed and obey entry priority and circulation signs.
Español • SP-16 • Glorieta. Se aproxima una intersección con una isleta central circular u ovalada. Reduzca la velocidad y respete las señales de prioridad y circulación al entrar.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 153 del PDF
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-03-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Mexican federal Manual de señalización y dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (2024): Dof.gob.mx • SP-16, PDF page 153. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
6. Priority at the junction
This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. A side road joins from the right, and traffic entering from that side road must give way.
English • Traffic sign SP-12 • T-junction — branch on the right. The wider line represents the main road; obey the junction's priority controls.
Español • SP-12 • Intersección en T: ramal por la derecha. Se aproxima una intersección con un ramal lateral por la derecha. La línea más ancha representa la vía principal; respete los controles de prioridad de la intersección.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 150 del PDF
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-03-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Mexican federal Manual de señalización y dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (2024): Dof.gob.mx • SP-12, PDF page 150. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
7. Warning for merging traffic from the right
This traffic sign indicates a warning for merging traffic from the right. Traffic travelling in the same general direction may join your traffic stream from the right. Stay alert and adjust your speed or position when necessary to allow traffic to merge safely.
English • Traffic sign SP-17 • Oblique merge from the right. Other vehicles join from the right in the same direction. Watch entering traffic.
Español • SP-17 • Incorporación lateral oblicua por la derecha. Se aproxima una confluencia por la derecha donde otros vehículos se incorporan en el mismo sentido de circulación. Esté atento al tránsito que entra a la vía.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 153 del PDF
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-03-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Mexican federal Manual de señalización y dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (2024): Dof.gob.mx • SP-17, PDF page 153. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
8. Priority at the junction
This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. Side roads join from the left and right, and traffic entering from those side roads must give way.
English • Traffic sign SP-11A • Road junction at the same level. Two roads shown with equal-width lines cross ahead. This warning does not replace stop or give-way signs controlling the junction.
Español • SP-11A • Intersección a nivel. Se aproxima el cruce de dos vías representadas con líneas del mismo ancho. Esta advertencia no sustituye las señales de alto o ceda el paso que regulen la intersección.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 150 del PDF
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-03-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Mexican federal Manual de señalización y dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (2024): Dof.gob.mx • SP-11A, PDF page 150. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
