Is it Possible to Understand Road Signs in Taiwan with Only Knowing Latin Characters?

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Taiwan uses the same road traffic signs, as are used in most Asian, European and African countries. You can find plenty of lists, examples and explanations of these on the internet. The meaning of a traffic sign must be obvious without knowing the local language. Any text on the sign should only provide additional details, which are not necessary to understand, to comply with the basic definition of the sign.

The three signs you are linking to have the following meanings:

  • The stop sign is a red octagon, optionally with 'stop' (or similar in local language) written on it. It means that you have to stop the vehicle completely before entering the junction and yield for crossing traffic. It is the only sign with this shape.

  • The yield sign is an upside down, white triangle with a red border. It means that you have to yield for crossing traffic, but are not required to stop completely before entering the junction. It is the only sign with this shape.

  • The prohibiton of passing without stopping sign is a white circle with a thick, horizontal black line in the middle and a red border. The sign usually has additional text explaining the reason for why you have to stop (in your example it is a weight control), but even without understanding the text or the specific reason, you know that you for some reason are required to stop. The basic shape of this sign (white circle with red border) identifies it as a prohibition sign. Usually a pictogram in the sign tells you what is prohibited.

Some countries use yellow instead of white as the background colour on their road signs.

So to answer your question: No, there should not be any road signs in Taiway, which are unintelligible to people who can only recognize latin letters.

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