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Driving safety guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Do Not Enter and Wrong Way Signs Explained
DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs guard one-way roads, divided highways and exit ramps against drivers heading the wrong direction. Here is what the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) says about where they go, what goes with them, and what to do if you find yourself facing one.
R5-1DO NOT ENTER: at the point of wrong entry
R5-1aWRONG WAY: farther along, same side
Exit rampsONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs required where wrong-way entry could happen
2nd signa second DO NOT ENTER sign may be added (MUTCD)
The short answer
A DO NOT ENTER sign means you must not turn in, because you would be entering against the flow of traffic. Where a WRONG WAY sign is used, it is a second warning placed farther along: if you can read it, you are already going the wrong direction. Stop safely and turn around where it is legal.
What the signs mean
DO NOT ENTER (R5-1): the MUTCD says it should be placed directly in view of a road user at the point where they could wrongly enter a divided highway, one-way road or ramp, mounted facing traffic that might enter in the wrong direction. If it would be visible to traffic it does not apply to, it should be turned away or shielded. A second DO NOT ENTER sign may be used, especially where traffic comes from an intersecting road.
WRONG WAY (R5-1a): an optional supplement to the DO NOT ENTER sign where a crossroad meets a one-way road in a way that does not physically discourage or prevent wrong-way entry. If used, it should be farther from the crossroad than the DO NOT ENTER sign and on the same side of the road.
An EXCEPT BICYCLES plaque may be used with a DO NOT ENTER sign where counter-flow bicycle traffic is allowed. For more on keeping your bearings after dark, see our night driving tips.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 2B.46 and 2B.47, read November 4, 2026.
Where DO NOT ENTER signs are required
The MUTCD requires a DO NOT ENTER sign at these locations:
| Location | Notes |
|---|---|
| Where a two-way road becomes a one-way road | Facing drivers who could enter the one-way section the wrong way. |
| Where an interchange exit ramp meets a crossroad | Placed near the downstream end of the ramp, in full view of a driver starting to enter wrongly from the crossroad. |
| Where a channelized or turning roadway meets a two-way undivided crossroad | Guards the turning roadway against entry from the wrong end. |
| At a divided highway crossing that works as two separate intersections | May be omitted on a low-speed urban divided street; optional where the crossing works as a single intersection. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 2B.46 and 2B.48, read November 4, 2026. The MUTCD also says the sign should be added where wrong-way movements are prominent or where ONE WAY signs alone do not convey the restriction.
Wrong-way signs and markings at exit ramps
Where an interchange exit ramp meets a crossroad in a way that wrong-way entry could be made by mistake, the MUTCD requires at least one ONE WAY sign for each direction of travel on the crossroad, at least one DO NOT ENTER sign near the end of the ramp, and at least one WRONG WAY sign on the ramp facing a driver going the wrong direction.
Pavement markings back them up. On two-lane paved crossroads at interchanges, solid double yellow center lines should be used approaching the ramps, and where the layout does not make wrong-way moves difficult, a lane-use arrow should be placed in each lane of the exit ramp near the crossroad. Agencies may also add slender wrong-way arrow markings, which can be made of bidirectional red-and-white raised pavement markers that show red to wrong-way drivers and white to everyone else.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.48, read November 4, 2026.
If you are going the wrong way
Watch for the clues: a WRONG WAY sign facing you, red reflectors in the pavement, arrows pointing at you, or the backs of signs.
Stay calm and slow down. Move as far right as you safely can and stop where it is safe. Turn on your hazard lights.
Turn around only where it is legal and safe, or call for help. Never continue against traffic.
If you see a wrong-way driver, slow down, move as far right as you safely can, and report it to authorities once you are stopped somewhere safe.
These tips are our own, based on the purposes of the signs and markings described in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, read November 4, 2026.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 4, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Do not enter and wrong way signs FAQ
What does a DO NOT ENTER sign mean?
It marks a road or ramp you must not enter from where you are, because you would be going against the flow of traffic. The MUTCD says it should be placed directly in view at the point where a road user could wrongly enter a divided highway, one-way road or ramp, facing traffic that might enter the wrong way.
What is the difference between DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs?
The DO NOT ENTER sign is at the entry point. The WRONG WAY sign is an optional supplement placed farther along the one-way road, on the same side, so a driver who has already turned in sees a second warning.
Where are DO NOT ENTER signs required?
The MUTCD requires them where a two-way road becomes one-way, where an interchange exit ramp meets a crossroad, where a channelized or turning roadway meets a two-way undivided crossroad, and (with some exceptions) at a divided highway crossing that works as two separate intersections.
What do red reflectors on the road mean?
On an exit ramp, the MUTCD allows wrong-way arrow markings made of bidirectional red-and-white raised pavement markers, which show red to wrong-way drivers and white to everyone else. If the markers in front of you look red, you may be going the wrong way: stop safely and turn around where it is legal.
What should I do if I realize I am going the wrong way?
Stay calm, slow down, move as far right as you safely can, and stop where it is safe. Turn around only where it is legal and safe, or call for help. Never continue against traffic.
What should I do if I see a wrong-way driver?
Slow down and move as far right as you safely can. When you are stopped somewhere safe, report it to authorities.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Sign and marking descriptions are from the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Revision 1 dated December 2025), read November 4, 2026. This page is a plain-language summary of national standards, not legal advice; state law sets the rules of the road where you drive. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Sections 2B.46, 2B.47, 2B.48), Federal Highway Administration, Revision 1 dated December 2025 (PDF updated February 12, 2026), read November 4, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 4, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 4, 2026