Traffic Safety
|
|
||||
|
Traffic Safety |
|
||||
|
city government news & events about apple valley employment resources |
Departments >Traffic Safety > Safety Articles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Traffic
& Pedestrian Safety News Articles Don't Cross the Double White Line? White pavement marking lines on roadways are also generally understood by most motorists but some combinations of lines and colors can be confusing. Here is some information on white lines. White lines delineate separation of traffic traveling in the same direction. If a white line is dashed, it separates two lanes of traffic in the same direction on a multi-lane roadway. Changing lanes is permitted. If the line is solid, it also separates two lanes of traffic in the same direction, but crossing the line is discouraged. Solid white lines are often used for delineating right or left turn lanes. The solid white line does not start until the turn lane is fully developed, thus allowing traffic to enter the turn lane without crossing the solid white line. These lines may also be used to separate preferential lanes from other lanes, or to discourage lane changes in situations such as approaching an intersection or a railroad crossing or on a bridge or in a tunnel. Solid white lines may also be used to delineate the right edge of a roadway. The white line is generally carried past driveways but is generally stopped at each intersection. Most lane lines are 4 inches in width. They are widened to 8 inches where more emphasis is needed. The 8-inch line is often used as lane lines for exit only lanes on freeways or as channelizing lines in the neutral area, or gore area, for exits from freeways or for entrances onto freeways. Where there are two solid white lines placed together, crossing these lane line markings is prohibited. This combination is seldom used, but usually occurs in an effort to separate a high volume turn lane from through traffic which may otherwise be inclined to try to break into the lane of traffic near the exiting or turning location. This may be supplemented by a regulatory sign but it is not required. Occasionally motorists may see a dotted line, generally in conjunction with turn lanes at intersections. These generally are used to help delineate the path of a vehicle making a turn through an intersection. White dotted lines are often used to indicate the presence of an auxiliary lane. The auxiliary lane may take place between an entrance ramp and the following exit ramp which are only short distances apart. In summary, dotted lines are to provide guidance to motorists. Dashed lines provide lane separations for traffic in same directions. Solid white lines discourage crossing from one lane to the other. Double solid white lines prohibit crossing these lanes. Finally, the wider the line the more emphasis is placed on its purpose. Content updated on: 03-May-2004
|
|
