I know it doesn't feel like it much of the time, but the people in charge of the roads are trying to make it easy for you to know what\u2019s going on. One of their gifts to us is road markings.<\/p>\n\n
Road markings tell you what the rules are - and as a general rule, the more paint they've used, the more important their message is.<\/p>\n\n
These tell you where the middle of the road is. Here in the UK, we drive on the left of that line unless we\u2019re overtaking or avoiding a hazard.<\/p>\n\n
These show where the middle of the road is, but also let you know that there\u2019s a hazard coming up. Only overtake if it\u2019s really necessary.<\/p>\n\n
These tell you where the middle of the road is, but also tell you that you MUST NOT CROSS (think Gandalf). You should cross them only if you\u2019re turning right or you need to pass a stationary vehicle, and always use lots of observation.<\/p>\n\n
Sometimes, red tarmac is used within a block of white lines or diagonals. This is there to show you the area that\u2019s separating traffic moving in opposite directions.<\/blockquote>\n \n\n- \n
Along the side of the road<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n
An unbroken white line<\/h4>\n
This is there to tell you where the edge of the carriageway is. Stay between that the line and the one telling you where the middle of the road is.<\/p>\n\n
Yellow lines<\/h4>\n\n
These show waiting and parking restrictions. Don\u2019t park on double yellow lines. Not to pop in and get a drink, not to drop off your mate. Just don\u2019t. Everyone will hate you and you're likely to get a fine.<\/p>\n\n
Zig-zag lines <\/h4>\n\n
These mean no stopping or parking. You\u2019ll mostly find them coming up to traffic lights or outside schools. If you're in a line of traffic, don't stop on these - leave them clear until traffic ahead has moved forward.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n \n
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Across the road<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n
Broken lines across your path<\/h4>\n\n
These mean that you should give way because someone else has right of way. You\u2019ll often find them at roundabouts, so you give way to the traffic coming from your right.<\/p>\n\n
Hatchings<\/h4>\n\n
These show an area where you can't stop. If you've got a green but your path is blocked by cars up ahead, WAIT rather than stop on hatchings. This is a major fault: a driving test fail.<\/p>\n\n
A single, solid white line<\/h4>\n\n
This means stop. Come to a full stop<\/strong>, even if you can see that your way is clear. You will fail your driving test if your car doesn't come to a complete stop - it's a major fault.<\/p>\n\n
Rumble strips<\/h3>\n
These are the bumpy lines on the tarmac that make it sound like your car is a plane coming in to land. They indicate that you\u2019re approaching a hazard and you should be cautious.<\/p>\n \n
Road markings are there to give you the information that you need to drive safely on that particular road. Listen to the road.<\/p>\n\n