White Lines On The Freeway

Are you sure you know what each of these road-line patterns means? Driving instructor Steve Wallace has prepared a refresher just for you. Photograph by: Times Colonist

Are you sure you know what each of these route-line patterns means?

Route markings are often confusing not merely to new drivers, but also many experienced drivers as well. Here is a refresher-reminder of their meaning.

Yellow Lines on Road Meaning

Yellow heart road lines split up opposite flows of vehicular traffic.

Single Yellow Solid Line

Single Yellow Solid Line
Some drivers are surprised to learn that a single solid yellow center line on a 2-lane road also means passing is permitted "with extra caution." Ever be aware of a commuter who attempts to laissez passer when the middle line is solid. Many such drivers do non practice the necessary "extra circumspection" required for such a pass.

Double Yellowish Solid Lines

Double Yellow Solid Lines

Double solid lines mean no passing in whatever management. A broken yellow line parallel to a solid ways the traffic on the cleaved side of the road can pass when rubber to do so. Traffic on the solid side of the configuration is non permitted to laissez passer.

Broken Yellow Lines

A broken yellow centre line on a two-way road means passing is permitted when safe to do then.

Double Broken Yellow Lines

Double cleaved yellow lines prove lanes that are reversible. Overhead lane-control red/xanthous/green lights will bear witness drivers whether they can apply each lane.

Diagonal Yellow Stripes

Yellow painted islands are there to tell drivers to stay to the correct of the diagonal yellowish stripes and to non drive on or over them. They are meant to act equally imaginary boulevards.

Broken Yellowish Lines with Outside Solid Lines

Broken Yellow Lines with Outside Solid Lines

A two-manner oncoming left-turn lane is designated by inside broken yellowish lines accompanied by outside solid yellow lines. Drivers travelling in contrary directions share this lane for left turns. Drivers are permitted to make turns only and may not utilize this kind of lane to accelerate their forward travel.

White Lines on Road Meaning

Broken White Line

White eye lines split up traffic moving in the same management. These lines are nearly noticeable on one-way streets.

Solid White Line

A solid white line means do not change lanes. A solid white line at the side of the roadway means drivers are non permitted to cross that line to become around someone turning left from the highway or roadway. Many municipalities take removed these lines because they crusade bottlenecks when drivers are held up by left-turners on single-lane roads.

Thick Solid White Line

A thick solid white line at a finish sign means stop before the line. Intermittent vertical thick white lines designate crosswalk areas that are non accompanied by a end sign or a normal traffic-low-cal organization. Drivers must stop when pedestrians intend to cross at these locations. Some more modern alternating yellow lights will be placed at these "zebra" style crosswalks to alert drivers to pedestrian traffic. It is not necessary to remain stopped until the lights have stopped flashing. Drivers may continue once the pedestrians have cleared the intersection.

Parallel Horizontal White Lines

Parallel horizontal white lined crosswalks are at a traffic-lite or end-sign intersection. These parallel crosswalks are busier than "zebra" crosswalks. Drivers are more aware at parallel solid-lined crosswalks because of the predictability of large groups of inner-city pedestrians. Drivers oftentimes become accepted to travelling through several "zebra" crosswalks without the presence of pedestrians and go lulled into a fake sense of security when approaching them.

Zebra Fashion Lines

Zebra Style Crosswalk

Many more close calls happen at "zebra" crossings than at horizontally lined crosswalks where stopping at a sign or scarlet traffic light is mandatory. Drivers must cease at stop signs, even when municipalities pigment "zebra" lines in error, where solid crosswalk lines should be placed.

Diamond or Bike Symbol

Many inner-city roads accept a solid white line separating a diamond or bicycle symbol from the regular travelled portion of the road. These symbols show the type of traffic that is restricted to a particular lane. This special traffic flows in the same management as regular traffic. Vehicle drivers may non drive in bicycle lanes except where dashed white lines are painted, usually close to intersections.

So much for the refresher — hope y'all enjoyed it.