11.4 Pavement Markings

Pavement markings are used to convey important information to drivers and are made up of various lines or symbols. They help determine which part of the road a driver may use, where lane changes and passing are permitted, and to alert drivers of potentially hazardous conditions on the roadway. Pavement markings can also reinforce safety. For example, centerlines have been shown to cut crash frequency by 20% compared to roads without them.

 

Some of the most common road markings and their meanings are listed below.

Yellow lines separate traffic flowing in opposite directions.

 

• Solid yellow lines – indicates that passing is prohibited
• Dashed yellow lines – indicates that passing is allowed

 

White lines separate traffic flowing in the same direction.

 

• Double white lines – indicates that lane changes are not allowed
• Dashed white lines – indicates that lane changes are allowed

 

Diamond	Lane is reserved for high occupancy vehicles
Bicycle	Lane is reserved for bicyclists
Arrow	Required or permitted movements at intersections
Row of Solid Triangles	Road user must yield
Letter X with a letter R on each side	Railroad crossing
Series of progressively wider lines across a lane	Speed bump ahead
Hollow Triangle	Yield ahead

 

Colored Curbs

Special rules apply to parking at colored curbs.

 

• White – You may stop long enough to pick up or drop off passengers or mail.
• Green – You may park for a limited time. The time is usually shown on a nearby sign.
• Yellow – Stop long enough to load or unload things or people, but no longer than law allows. Drivers of noncommercial vehicles usually are required to stay with their vehicles.
• Red – No stopping or parking. A bus may stop at a red zone marked for buses.
• Blue – Parking is for the disabled only. You must have a placard in the windshield or the license plate must be specially marked.