Road Markings and Their Meanings: Essential Guide for Indian Roads

Key Highlights:

• Longitudinal markings guide, while traverse markings warn.
• Regardless of the traffic light, vehicles shouldn't stop over yellow criss-cross markings at busy box junctions.
• The phrase 'Eyes on the road' makes more sense than you think

Longitudinal Markings

Longitudinal markings are lines that run in the same direction as the traffic. They help divide lanes, guide vehicles and make overtaking safer.

Centre Line

The centre line separates the road into two equal parts for traffic moving in opposite directions. On narrow two-lane roads without dividers, a single broken white line is usually marked. Vehicles can cross this line to overtake, but only when the way ahead is clear.

No Overtaking Line

A continuous white line is marked where overtaking is unsafe, such as on curves, hilltops or near pedestrian crossings. Vehicles must not cross this line. In certain areas, a double continuous line is used to give a stronger warning.

Lane Markings

On roads with several lanes, broken white lines are used to mark the lanes going in the same direction. Drivers should stay in their lane and only shift to another lane after making sure it is safe to do so.

Centre Barrier Line

On wide roads, such as national highways and busy city roads, a solid double white or yellow line is often marked in the middle. It serves as a clear warning not to overtake or cross.

Edge Line

Edge lines are solid white lines drawn along the sides of roads. They show the edge of the carriageway and guide drivers to remain safely on the road, especially during the night or in bad weather.

Transverse Markings

Transverse markings are painted across the flow of traffic and are used to slow down vehicles or show where they need to stop.

Stop Line

A thick solid white line is marked at road junctions, traffic lights or stop signs. Drivers must stop before this line and move ahead only when it is safe or when the light turns green.

Give Way Line

These are also known as yield lines and are shown as broken white lines across the road at junctions. They instruct drivers to slow down and allow vehicles on the main road to pass first.

Pedestrian Crossing

Zebra crossings are white parallel stripes painted across the road. They give pedestrians a safe place to cross, and drivers must stop to let them pass.

Speed Change Markings

In places near schools, hospitals or accident-prone areas, transverse markings are drawn closer together to make the road appear narrower. This encourages drivers to slow down.

Hazard Markings

Hazard markings are used to warn drivers of obstacles, obstructions or dangerous parts of the road.

Diagonal Stripes

Obstructions like traffic islands, road dividers or painted medians are marked with diagonal white or yellow stripes. These markings help guide vehicles safely away from the obstruction.

Chevron Markings

V-shaped chevron markings are placed at sharp curves or merging lanes. They help guide the driver onto the correct path and lower the risk of accidents.

Road Studs

Reflective studs are not exactly painted markings, but they are often fixed on roads to help guide vehicles at night. They are usually placed along lane lines, road edges or median markings.

Directional Markings

Directional markings are arrows or symbols painted on the road surface that help drivers choose the right lane.

Straight and Turn Arrows

Arrows showing straight, left, right or a mix of these are painted on lanes before crossings. They guide drivers about the allowed direction of travel.

Merging Arrows

When two lanes join into one, arrows show the direction of the merge. They help prevent confusion and allow traffic to flow more smoothly.

Lane Use Arrows

On highways and at toll plazas, lane use arrows indicate if a lane is for turning left, turning right, or going straight.

Word and Symbol Markings

Sometimes words or symbols are painted directly on the road surface to give quick instructions.

School and Slow Markings

Near schools or crowded areas, the word SCHOOL or SLOW is painted in large letters to warn drivers to reduce their speed.

Bus and Cycle Lanes

In some cities, lanes reserved for buses or cycles are marked with the words BUS or CYCLE. These help in smoother traffic movement.

Parking Restrictions

The letter P with a cross through it may be painted to indicate no parking zones. In permitted parking areas, a simple P symbol may be used.

Yellow Box Junctions

At busy intersections, a yellow criss-cross pattern called a box junction is painted. Vehicles MUST NOT STOP inside the box, even when the signal is red. This is done to keep the junction clear and prevent traffic from getting blocked.

Speed Breaker and Rumble Strip Markings

Speed breakers have bold white bands across their width to make them noticeable to drivers coming towards them. Rumble strips are also painted in groups to warn drivers and make them slow down. They are usually found ahead of areas prone to accidents or near schools and pedestrian crossings.

Parking Bay Markings

In places where parking is permitted, rectangular or square lines are painted to mark each parking spot. This helps cars park in an orderly way without taking up space needed by others. In multi-storey car parks or city areas, angled or parallel parking lines are often used.

Special Purpose Markings

Certain markings are used for specific traffic control situations.

Bus Stop and Taxi Stand Markings

The words BUS STOP or TAXI STAND may be painted on the road to reserve space for public vehicles to halt.

Pedestrian Refuge Areas

At large intersections, areas for pedestrians to wait safely are marked with diagonal stripes or outlined boxes.

Loading Zones

Commercial areas sometimes have loading and unloading zones clearly marked to keep traffic flowing while allowing goods vehicles to stop.

Colour Coding of Markings

• White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction and mark the edges of lanes
• Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions and show warning signs
• Black and white stripes on kerbs help make them more visible and show that stopping might be limited
• Some cities paint red surfaces on cycle tracks or pedestrian crossings to make them stand out

Eyes on the Road

Road markings are crucial in traffic control. They help manage speed, show safe places to stop or overtake, guide lane use and protect pedestrians and cyclists. Following them carefully can reduce accidents, improve traffic movement and make roads safer for all. Although many drivers in India still depend primarily on traffic police or signals, more people are becoming aware of road markings. For travel to be truly safe and smooth, both drivers and pedestrians need to know and follow what these markings mean.

FAQs

1. What do white lines on the road mean?
White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction. Continuous white lines indicate no overtaking, while broken white lines allow lane changes when safe.

2. What do yellow lines on the road indicate?
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A continuous yellow line means no crossing, while broken yellow lines allow overtaking with caution.

3. What do chevron markings signify?
Chevron markings are angled lines on roads indicating areas where vehicles should not enter, such as medians or junction approaches.

4. What do rumble strips indicate?
Rumble strips are raised markings or grooves that alert drivers to reduce speed, especially near school zones, curves, or intersections.

5. Are road markings the same across all Indian states?
Most road markings follow the Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards, but some states may add local symbols or designs to address specific traffic needs.