A “Do Not Enter” sign indicates that you are not allowed to drive into the area or roadway beyond the sign. In other words, the road is one-way against you or closed to traffic from your direction. These signs are typically posted at roadway entrances where traffic is prohibited from entering, such as:
The exit side of a freeway off-ramp (to stop you from going the wrong way onto a freeway).
One-way streets at the wrong end (to prevent wrong-way entry).
Certain restricted areas like ramps or lanes meant only for specific vehicles, or at the entrance to a one-way aisle in a parking lot, etc.
The sign itself is usually a red circle with a white horizontal bar in the middle (and often the words “DO NOT ENTER” in white letters). It’s very recognizable.
When you see a “Do Not Enter” sign, do not proceed past it. If you accidentally find yourself facing one (for example, you turned the wrong way and see a Do Not Enter), you should stop immediately and turn around when safe to do so. These signs are often accompanied by “Wrong Way” signs slightly further down to alert drivers who missed the first warning.
Driving past a Do Not Enter sign can put you in great danger because you could be driving head-on into oncoming traffic. For example, going up an off-ramp marked “Do Not Enter” means you’d encounter cars coming off the highway at high speed. People have severe and often fatal accidents by going the wrong way like this.
So, a “Do Not Enter” sign means the road is closed to you from that direction. It’s essentially “Stop – do not proceed.” Always obey it by turning around or finding an alternate route. It’s there to prevent wrong-way driving and other hazardous movements.
