MUTCD R4-7: Keep Right and Keep Left Signs

The R4-7 sign is covered in Section 2B.39 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition. Below are the provisions from that section that describe when the sign is used and how it is placed.

What it means and when it is used

• Option · Permitted (may)
  The Keep Right (R4-7) sign (see Figure 2B-10 ) may be used at locations where it is necessary for traffic to pass only to the right-hand side of a roadway feature or obstruction. The Keep Left (R4-8) sign (see Figure 2B-10) may be used at locations where it is necessary for traffic to pass only to the left-hand side of a roadway feature or obstruction. December 2023MUTCD 11th Edition Page 103 Sect. 2B.39Figure 2B-10.…
• Option · Permitted (may)
  At locations where it is not readily apparent that traffic is required to keep to the right, a Keep Right sign should be used.

Placement and mounting

• Standard · Required (shall)
  If Keep Right signs are installed at the start of a median or at a median opening, they shall be placed as close as practicable to the approach ends of the medians, and shall be visible to traffic on the divided highway and angled toward the applicable crossroad approach as shown in Fig ure 2B-20.
• Guidance · Recommended (should)
  If used, the Keep Right sign should be mounted on the face of or just in front of a pier or other obstruction separating opposite directions of traffic in the center of the highway such that traffic will have to pass to the right-hand side of the sign.
• Guidance · Recommended (should)
  Where a regulatory sign is used within the central island of a neighborhood traffic circle to direct traffic counter-clockwise around the central island, the Keep Right with diagonal arrow (R4-7b) sign should be used (see Figure 2B-24 ). The mounting height of the sign should be at least 4 feet, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the elevation of the near edge of the traveled way.

Where to read the rest

• Full text: MUTCD Section 2B.39: Keep Right and Keep Left Signs
• Minimum sign sizes by roadway type are in the size section for this chapter: Section 2B.03
• Mounting height, lateral offset and retroreflectivity for any sign: MUTCD sign placement guide

Related signs in Section 2B.39