Roadway Markings

NV Driver Education Curriculum

Unit 2: Signs, Signals, and Roadway Markings

Presentation 3 of 3

Roadway Markings

• Warn, regulate, and inform– lines, words, or symbols on the road

• Marking are white and yellow – May be reflective

• Type of lines have meaning– Solid and Broken

Two Colors of Lines

• White lines separate traffic lanes traveling in the same direction

• Yellow lines separate traffic lanes traveling in opposite directions

General rule: Broken lines can be crossed

and solidsolid lines cannot (exception when making a turn)

Yellow Lines

Yellow lines separate traffic lanes traveling in opposite directions

Single, broken yellow line indicates may pass when safe

Single, solidsolid yellow line indicates that passing is not allowed

Single Lane Roads

Two-way trafficYellow center line may be single, double,

solid, or broken (dashed)

You may pass when there is a broken line on your side

of the road

You may not pass when there is a solidsolid line on your

side of the road

White Lines

• White lines separate traffic lanes traveling in the same direction

• Broken (dashed) white lines may be crossed when changing lanes

• SolidSolid white line are used in several ways, including marking edge of road. May not cross, with few exceptions:– Immediate right turns (no more than 200ft prior)

– Enter or exit HOV lane

Solid White Lines Video

See LVPD VideoCrossing Solid White Line

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq3zn2TtBiA

(0:31)

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

NOTE: Some on - Check access

Center Lanes

Shared left-turn lane•May not be used for passing•May not travel more than 200ft before turning left•May not travel more than 50ft after turning left before merging with traffic

White Arrows

White arrows indicate a turn lane•If marked “ONLY” you must obey direction•When marked with a curve and straight arrow, you may turn or continue forward

Reversible Lanes

Reversible lanes are used to improve traffic flow during rush hours•Marked by two broken yellow lines•Changes direction of travel within lane•Overhead signals indicate availability

RED “X” – Lane is closed in this direction.

Never drive in this lane.YELLOW “X” – Lane signal is going to change. Exit the lane safely before the red “X” appears

GREEN ARROW – Lane may be used.

High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane

High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are restricted for vehicles with two or more people•Designed by a diamond-shape symbol•May have restricted hours

HOV Lanes Video

Click on web address to access video clips

*Suggest full screen viewing

NOTE: Some on - Check access

See Nevada RTC&DOT videoHOV Lanes in Las Vegas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFkRMfMIGk4

(2:43)

Highway Ramps

Highway ramps use solid white lines to indicate it is dangerous and illegal to cross– Called the gore area: area between the edge of the

highway and the edge of the ramp meet– May include angled or diagonal lines

Stop Lines and Crosswalks

Stop lines are wide white lines where you must stop before entering an intersection or railroad crossing

Crosswalks are areas for pedestrians (in front of stop lines)

and may include two parallel or diagonal lines.

Special Lanes

Bike lanes– Designated by striping

and signing– If line is broken may

cross if clear

Bus lanes– Used to speed up public transport– Some cities may allow taxis– May have time designations

Raised Pavement MarkersReflective Markers (may or may not be raised)

like white and yellow lines - mark lanes of travel– White markers used between lanes or edge of road– Red markers warn drivers going the wrong direction– Yellow markers found on left edge of expressways

– Blue markers identify the location of a fire hydrant

Other Pavement Markings

Rumble strips– Grooved or corrugated roadway,

causes vibration and loud noise when drive over

Speed bumps and dips– Used to slow traffic speed– Should drive slowly over

bumps and through dips

Other Roadway MarkingsLines, words, and symbols found on the pavement

Did You Know

• Both Michigan (1911) and California (1917) claim to be the first to develop center road lines.

• White center lines were used in the U.S. until 1971, when yellow became the mandated standard.

White center lines are used in Canada, Great Britain, and many other countries.