The "Soft Shoulder" sign is a warning traffic sign indicating that the shoulder of the road ahead is made of a different, softer material such as gravel, packed dirt, or loose soil, rather than the paved surface of the main road

. This softer shoulder is often uneven and may be lower in height compared to the paved road, which can cause vehicles to lose traction, skid, or become difficult to control if driven on

. The sign alerts drivers to avoid driving or stopping on the shoulder except in emergencies, as it is unsafe and often illegal to do so under normal driving conditions

. If a vehicle must stop on a soft shoulder, it is advised to keep two wheels on the paved road to maintain better control

. The sign is typically diamond-shaped with black lettering on a yellow background and is placed before areas where the shoulder is soft and potentially hazardous

. In summary, the Soft Shoulder sign means:

• The road shoulder is unpaved and soft (gravel, dirt, etc.).
• Driving on it is hazardous due to poor traction and uneven surface.
• Use the shoulder only in emergencies and return to the paved road as soon as possible.
• It serves as a caution to drivers to stay on the main roadway for safety