Road Markings

Road Markings are there to discipline the motorists and pedestrians while on road.
These can be divided into two categories

  1. Carriageway markings: Markings made on road
  2. Object markings: Markings made on objects such as trees, stones, etc.

Bare roads will lead to total vehicular confusion. Markings are painted on the road to direct, guide and regulate the road user.

Road markings include all lines patters, words and colours applied on or attached to the road surface or kerb, for the said purpose

Sample road markings
Sample road markings

Traffic paints are commonly used for road markings. Other materials such as, road studs, cat's eyes and thermoplastic strips also find their application in road markings. These markings promote road safety and ensure smooth flow of traffic. Sometimes, road markings are used to supplement the message of road signs and other devices.

Road Traffic paints
Road Traffic paints
  • Centre line

    1. Centre line marking for a two lane road

    2. Road centre line
      Road centre line

      On undivided two-way roads, the centre line separates the opposing streams of traffic and facilitates their movements. The centre line can be a single broken line, a single continous solid line (barrier line), a double solid line or a combination of solid line and broken line. Single and double solid lines, whether white or yellow, must not be crossed or even straddled. On a road with two centre lines, of which one is solid and the other broken, the solid line has significance only it it is on the left side of the combination as viewed by the driver. In such a case, the driver must be careful not to cross or straddle the centre line.

    3. Lane line

    4. Lane line and broken centre line

      broken centre line
      broken centre line
    5. Centre barrier lines

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      • Centre barrier line marking for a four lane road

      • Centre barrier line marking for a four lane road
        Centre barrier line marking for a four lane road
      • Centre barrier line marking for a six lane road

      • Centre barrier line marking for a 6 lane road
        Centre barrier line marking for a six lane road

  • Double white/yellow lines

  • Double white/yellow lines
    Double white/yellow lines

    Double Continuous lines are used where visibility is restricted in both directions. Neither stream of traffic is allowed to cross the lines.

  • Combination of solid and broken lines

  • Combination of solid and broken lines
    Combination of solid and broken lines
    1. If the line on your side is broken, you may cross or straddle it. OverTake - but only if it is safe to do so. 2. If the line on your side is continious you must not cross or straddle it.
  • Stop Line

  • Stop Line
    Stop Line

    A stop line is a single solid transverse line painted before the intersecting edge of the road junction/ intersection.This line indicates where you are required to stop when directed by traffic officer, traffic light of stop sign. Where a pedestrian crossing is provided, the stop line is marked before the pedestrian crossing.

  • Give way Line

  • Give way Line
    Give way Line

    The give way line is usually a double dotted line marked transversely at junctions. These lines are generally supplemented by a reverse triangle give way sign painted on the road surface before the dotted lines or by a road sign installed beside the marking. Give way to traffic on the main approaching road.

  • Border or edge lines

  • Border or edge lines
    Border or edge line

    These are continuous lines at the edge of the carriageway and mark the limits of the main carriageway upto which a driver can safely venture.

  • Parking prohibited lines

  • Parking prohibited lines
    Parking prohibited lines

    A solid continuous yellow line painted on the kerb or edge of the carriageway along with a "No-parking" sign indicates the extent of no-parking area.

  • Yellow box junctions or keep clear

  • Yellow box junctions or keep clear
    Yellow box junctions or keep clear

    These are yellow crossed diagonal lines within the box. The vehicles should cross it only if they have a clear space available ahead of the yellow box. In this marked area vehicles must not stop even briefly.

  • Pedestrian Crossings

  • Pedestrian Crossings
    Pedestrian Crossings

    These are alternate black and white stripes painted parallel to the road generally known as zebra crossing. Pedestrians must cross only at the point where these lines are provided and when the signal is in their favour at controlled crossings.You must stop and give way to pedestrians at these crossings. Pedestrian crossings are marked to facilitate and give the right of way to pedestrians.