It Confuses Many Drivers: What Does the Road Sign With a Thumbs-Up Mean?

Road signs are something every driver is expected to understand. But when traveling in different countries, motorists can encounter unusual symbols whose meaning isn't immediately obvious.

One example is a road sign showing a raised thumb inside a red circle. So what exactly does it mean?

What Does the Thumbs-Up Road Sign Mean?

A sign showing a raised thumb crossed out by a red circle prohibits hitchhiking and stopping along the roadside.

The reason is primarily safety. Having a person standing on the narrow shoulder of a high-speed highway creates a serious risk of being struck by a passing vehicle. A driver who suddenly slows or stops to pick up a passenger can also create a dangerous situation, particularly where traffic is moving at highway speeds.

There's another concern as well. Picking up strangers can potentially put the driver and other occupants at risk.

The symbol is most commonly associated with roads in the United States, Canada, Australia and some Latin American countries. In other parts of the world, similar restrictions are often communicated through text or more general prohibition signs.

In the United States and Canada, signs prohibiting hitchhiking and roadside stopping can be found in locations where pulling over or picking up passengers would be particularly dangerous. These may include highway ramps, bridges and tunnels, as well as areas surrounding correctional facilities.

Some jurisdictions also use supplemental signs with text explaining that stopping to pick up hitchhikers is prohibited.

For American drivers, the takeaway is simple: if you see a crossed-out hitchhiker symbol, don't stop to pick someone up. The restriction is there because even a brief roadside stop can create a serious hazard on a busy, high-speed roadway.