Road markings are everywhere in the world and all drivers assume that they know what each line signifies. However, the many lines on the road aren’t always as straightforward as they appear to be.
For instance, you might remember being told that a yellow line in one’s lane means not to cross it and not to pass it. But it’s confusing to view a prominent center area on the main road marked with big turn arrows in order to make it easy for the driver to escape the flowing traffic. But it’s a must to cross the yellow line in order to achieve it.
White Lane Markings: These are the most common markings on the road. The long white lines refer to traffic lanes flowing in the same direction. Alternatively, these lines can showcase the road’s shoulder location. As for the dotted or broken white lines, they are there to display the centerline between each lane.
The white diagonal stripes are meant to shield the traffic turning from the right or to separate lanes. If the region is surrounded by a broken white line, it shouldn’t be entered unless it is safe to do so. Plus, if the region is bordered by solid white lines, never enter it.
Yellow Markings: These show you where the traffic flow is going in varying directions. Remain on your side of the yellow marking in order to avoid unpleasant heads-on accidents with drivers coming from the opposite direction.
This shows that ignoring the yellow line can put your life in danger. Therefore, you should never cross the yellow line.
2-direction Multi-lane Roads: Remain on your side of the double yellow line that is visible on the road’s center. In case you ever need to pass another car, do it by employing lanes on your yellow side.
2-direction, 2-Lane, and No-Passing Roads: This is something that will test your patience. It is illegal to pass a car because doing so will force you to move out of the double yellow line and merge with the upcoming traffic. Even if doing so was legal, it wouldn’t be a smart move.
However, remember that it is permissible to cross the double yellow line in case you are doing a left turn as long as it’s allowed on the street you’re on. In short, learn the particular area’s rules of the road.
2-direction, 2-lane Roads with Minimal Passing: When the big yellow line is at your side of the road, it’s not allowed to cross it. But on the opposite side, it’s possible to do so, but only if it’s safe.
2-direction Roads With A Center Turn Lane: It’s permissible to pass a big yellow line on your side in order to be in the center left-turn lane. But remember to give attention to the traffic from the opposite direction as those vehicles also have the freedom to employ the same turn lane.
This configuration allows you the liberty to escape from the flowing traffic and get into the turn lane to turn, only when it’s safe to do so.
Restricted Lanes: 2-way Multi-lane roads oftentimes have lanes with diamond shapes. This generally means that these lanes are meant for high occupancy vehicles, known as carpool vehicles as well.
The roadside signs can also guide you to know how and when those lanes can be used. Sometimes, the restricted lanes are exposed to any traffic outside the specific hours.
Reversible Lanes: These lanes are set separately for speed traffic in any direction for specific times of the day. For instance, the morning hours because people are going towards the city for work and in the afternoon in order to allow commuters to smoothly exit the town quickly.
The shoulders of the road sometimes are exposed to traffic in the reversible lane hours. At other hours, the center lane is the reversible one. The reason is that the entrance is blocked by barricades or gates to move the opposite way traffic off the lanes.
The overhead lights and signs can sometimes aid you in knowing when it is allowed to utilize the reversible lane. It is crucial to know the specific rules regarding reversible lanes in your region as you don’t want to get caught attempting to go out on the inbound lane.
Read More: How to Safely Merge Lanes in Dubai
