1. An apparatus for recognizing a traffic sign, comprising: a camera configured to obtain an image from a vehicle at a predetermined range; and a traffic sign recognizing apparatus comprising a processor configured to execute instructions to perform processes comprising: recognizing a traffic sign within the image, and designating an area including the traffic sign as a region of interest; extracting a valid area excluding an area of a first color from the region of interest, and calculating valid area data; and calculating similarity between the traffic signs recognized from respective images by using the valid area data, wherein the traffic sign is a light emitting traffic sign including one or more light sources repeatedly turned on and off, and the first color excluded from the region of interest is set according to non-light emitting portions of the traffic sign.