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Traffic assistants
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When you see the Zeichen
Expect traffic wardens, as well as children or other pedestrians who may frequently want to cross the road. Reduce your speed as appropriate for the situation, watch both sides of the road and stop if necessary so that no one is put at risk.
Rules
- Zeichen 356 indicates that traffic wardens are deployed; on its own, it neither imposes a specific maximum speed nor a duty to wait.
- The sign does not create a Fußgängerüberweg and does not automatically give pedestrians priority over vehicular traffic.
- You must drive carefully and be ready to brake so that, in particular, children who might suddenly step onto the road are not put at risk.
- A traffic warden's signal paddle is not equivalent to an instruction from a police officer; traffic wardens are generally not permitted to regulate traffic in the same way as the police.
- If the traffic warden or people being protected are already on the road, you may continue driving only when any danger to them has been ruled out.
Tips
- Ease off the accelerator early and expect children to be hidden by waiting vehicles or by the traffic warden.
- Keep a sufficient distance if the traffic warden enters the road or a group is about to cross.
- Do not carelessly overtake a waiting vehicle near the site; pedestrians may be crossing the road just in front of it.
- Continue driving only once everyone has completely and safely left the road.
Common misunderstandings
- Zeichen 356 is confused with Zeichen 350. Only Zeichen 350 marks a Fußgängerüberweg with the associated special priority and waiting rules.
- Some learner drivers believe that you must always stop at Zeichen 356. The correct rule is that the sign alone does not require you to stop, but the specific danger may make stopping necessary.
- The traffic warden's signal paddle is often confused with the police stop signal. Traffic wardens generally have no authority to regulate traffic as the police do.
Exam tip
In exam questions, pay attention to the distinction from a Fußgängerüberweg: Zeichen 356 indicates that traffic wardens are present, but does not in itself establish pedestrian priority or a fixed speed limit. Nevertheless, being ready to brake and showing consideration may require you to drive considerably more slowly or stop.
Did you know
The term traffic warden includes not only young school crossing patrols but also adult school-route assistants. For this reason, Zeichen 356 is particularly common at regularly supervised crossing points on routes to school.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have to stop at Zeichen 356?
No, the sign alone does not require you to stop. However, you must stop if people are on the road or if it is otherwise impossible to continue driving without putting anyone at risk.
Do children automatically have priority at this location?
No, Zeichen 356 does not create automatic priority as a marked Fußgängerüberweg does. Nevertheless, because children are particularly vulnerable, you must drive with extreme caution and be ready to brake.
May a traffic warden stop traffic like a police officer?
As a general rule, a traffic warden may not regulate traffic in the same way as a police officer. Their signals are mainly intended to provide protection and facilitate communication; regardless of this, you must not put anyone at risk.
Does Zeichen 356 automatically impose a specific maximum speed?
No, the sign does not specify a fixed speed. However, you must adapt your speed to the visibility, the presence of children and the specific crossing situation.
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