Whether you’re new to the UK or a seasoned driver, road markings can be confusing at times. It’s important to know what each type of road marking uk means and how it can affect your driving. Here is a brief guide to the most common road markings in the UK.
Edge line – a solid white line along the side of the road that indicates the boundary between the carriageway and pavement. The Highway Code states that you must not cross this line unless it is necessary for overtaking or turning. This type of road marking is also often ribbed so that your car judders when you drive over it, this will alert you to the fact that you’ve strayed off the carriageway.
Short broken white lines are used to mark lane boundaries on dual carriageways and motorways. These indicate which lane you should be in and which one you can overtake in. If you’re on a motorway, you must stay within your own lane unless it is safe to overtake.
You’ll find these on the right-hand side of the road road marking uk, usually at junctions and mini roundabouts. They’re thicker than the typical stop line you’d see next to a traffic light and are designed to tell motorists that they need to give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction.
These are typically found on the edges of the road and will have either single or double yellow lines. The Highway Code states that you must not wait on this section of the road unless it is indicated by nearby signs that waiting restrictions are in force. You can see this type of marking on residential streets as well as on busier roads.
A lane that’s reserved for buses is marked with the words BUS LANE. This type of lane is often used on wider roads in built-up areas to prioritise travel for bus passengers. These are often accompanied by signs indicating when you can and cannot use the lane. You must not park in a bus lane at any time.
Another type of lane that’s commonly seen is a box junction with criss-crossing yellow lines. You must not enter a box junction if the exit road is blocked by oncoming traffic or vehicles that are already waiting to turn right. You can, however, wait in a box junction if your exit road is clear and if there are no adjacent traffic lights.
The RSMA is concerned that the state of road markings across the UK has reached an all-time low and needs immediate action. They’re calling for more funding to ensure that all roads are properly maintained and the correct information is clearly displayed. The organisation believes that this would have a huge impact on the safety of road users. This would be a massive improvement on the current situation where around 47% of all road markings (and up to 52% on motorways) are in need of replacement.