These Are The Goofiest Road Signs You've Ever Seen

There are nearly 40 million miles of tarmac road covering the planet, and nearly every mile of it is festooned with signs to keep you heading the right way, or warn you of the dangers in the road ahead.

In fact, the U.S. alone has more than 500 federally-approved road signs that line our streets and highways. We asked you Friday "what are the weirdest road signs you've come across on your travels?" Thankfully, you've all seen some belters, so here are some of the best you've spotted all around the world.

"Seen on a freeway outside of Paris. Not being versed in international traffic signage, I thought there were cars on fire up ahead. Turns out it means the left lane leads to a tunnel, and you can't drive a vehicle with explosive or flammable material through it, so detour to the right."

Starting off strong with France and its "no explosives" sign, which can be found in the form you see here. It's also used to show routes that are safe for cars carrying explosives to take.

Suggested by: rileye

"This exists in the middle of nowhere Alberta. My real question though is, how can any drive to Alaska, from anywhere, not be considered scenic?"

This way must cut out all those ugly mountains and lakes that Alaska is famous for.

Suggested by: Jared-Mark

"The Big Island, Hawaii, near Volcanoes National Park."

Less a funny sign and more a redundant sign, but we'll take it anyway!

Suggested by: @Resident_Sage (Twitter)

"Disneyland California has weird speed limits, and also cancer. Here's a 14 mph but I'm pretty sure I've seen a 7.5 mph too."

I'll admit, I was alarmed by all the things that cause cancer specifically in California when I first moved here. Now, it's just one of those quirks of America – like that you have a store called BJ's.

Suggested by: stalephish

"Not on a road but a foot path that shows a Salmon run ahead."

Apparently this shows a fish ladder, which is a structure to help migrating fish navigate dams and other man-made obstacles.

Suggested by: Brian_Stieh

"Elephant crossing signs in Thailand. They look like deer crossing signs here, but with an elephant silhouette instead."

In America, if you see an elephant on your daily drive there's a good chance you've taken a wrong turn somewhere.

Suggested by: Ron Breitwieser II (Facebook)

"Moss Landing, a little north of Monterey, CA."

Otters are infinitely harder to spot on the highway than elephants, so best to keep your eyes peeled if you see this one.

Suggested by: randomusername3246

"One of my favorites I saw in the UK (not my photo)."

Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger. Mushroom! Mushroom!

Suggested by: branklins

"Things get a bit surreal in the South West of the U.K."

How would you react if you saw a tank in the road ahead of you? Would you be more or less scared than if there was an otter up ahead?

Suggested by: @danieljsparrow (Twitter)

"Outside Detroit."

Is it a road named after a big beaver, or is it a big road named after a regular-sized beaver? Answers on a postcard.

[ed. note: There is also an exit to Climax off of I-94, just outside of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Try explaining to friends and family that they take 94 and "get off at Climax.]

Suggested by: dustynnguyendood

"I always liked this outside of Glenwood Canyon, CO on I70."

Petition to rename this "Jalopnik Rest Area".

Suggested by: live2skico2

"Moose Crossing."

Could be a moose, could be a caribou, could be a reindeer. Either way, you want a heads up if they might be around.

Suggested by: John Helm (Facebook)

"We all giggled every single time passing these during our first trip to Germany."

It just means "exit" in German, calm down.

Suggested by: lastminutebastrd

"Man shoveling coal. All over Europe 😂 Really fun to spot with a group of people."

Is it a person struggling with an umbrella, or someone shoveling dirt? We may never know.

Suggested by: @dan_meier23 (Twitter)

"Those signs in Israel that tell you that you are going either below or above sea level on the way to or from the Sea of Galilee.

"I didn't get the chance to take a photo, so this is from a stock image. Also, I have to say that seeing road signs to the Sea of Galilee was also a bit weird, for different reasons."

Knowing your location is overrated, I just want to navigate via depth from now on.

Suggested by: tempesttea