what does this symbol mean?
MUTCD R4-7 A white upright rectangle with an arrow curving to the right of a small island

Keep right sign

A regulatory sign showing that traffic passes only to the right of the island, median or obstruction ahead.

Rules vary by state and country. This explains the sign's standard meaning in the U.S. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; it isn't legal advice.

How to read it

The MUTCD calls for it where traffic has to pass on the right of a feature in the road and that is not obvious from the layout. Its counterpart, the Keep Left sign (R4-8), is used where traffic passes only on the left.

Not a divided highway warning

The yellow Divided Highway sign can look like it is making the same point. The MUTCD does not allow it to stand in for a Keep Right sign at the approach end of a median island.

More road signs

Sources

Last reviewed September 25, 2026 by Rory Hansen. How we research

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