Warning and guidance road markings explained

What is the difference between a warning marking and a guidance marking?

A warning marking warns you about something on the road ahead or next to you. A guidance marking guides you: it shows lanes, routes and directions.

Most warning markings ask for the same few things. Slow down. Get into the correct lane in time. Look out for other traffic.

Each marking has its own entry below. This page puts them in groups, so that you can see which ones belong together.

Which road markings warn you about what is ahead?

Five warning markings tell you what is coming, so that you can get ready in time.

• Railway crossing ahead: slow down and, if necessary, stop before the crossing.
• Yield control ahead: there is a yield (give way) sign ahead. Slow down if other traffic is approaching the intersection, and stop if necessary.
• Mandatory direction arrow ahead: you will have to follow a certain direction at the first intersection. Choose the correct lane in time.
• No overtaking or no crossing line ahead: one of those lines is about to start. If you are on the right-hand side of the road, move back to the left-hand lane as soon as possible. Do this before the line starts.
• Speed hump: slow down and release your brake before you drive over the hump.

One more marking is for a vehicle whose brakes have failed. The arrestor bed ahead marking shows where that vehicle can be driven off the road. The gravel section ahead will stop it. Only drive into an arrestor bed when your brakes fail.

What do the lines between lanes tell you?

They tell you which way the traffic next to you is moving, and whether your lane carries on.

• Lane lines: you are on a part of the road where the traffic moves in the same direction. Drive in the centre of your demarcated (marked) lane.
• Dividing lines: vehicles on the other side of the marking are moving in the opposite direction. Look out for approaching vehicles that may move over onto your side of the road.
• Reversible lane lines: the marked lane can be used by traffic from the opposite direction at various times of the day or night. Look out for approaching vehicles.
• Continuity lines: there is a break in the continuing part of the roadway, such as an intersection or an off ramp.

Continuity lines need the most care. If your lane has a continuity line on one side, that lane will soon turn off from the road you are travelling on.

At continuity lines, yield to any traffic that wants to change lanes. Check your blind spot too, to make sure no other vehicle might cut in front of you.

You do not have long. The continuity lines will soon change to a channelizing line or a painted island. After that it is illegal to change direction.

What do arrows on the road mean?

Arrows in this group tell you one of three things: lanes are ending, lanes are being added, or which way you may drive.

• Lane reduction arrows warn that the number of traffic lanes is reduced. Change lanes in time if the lane you are travelling in ends.
• Bifurcation arrows show an increase in the number of lanes ahead. Make sure you do not straddle any lane markings (drive with a lane marking under your vehicle).
• Information arrows show the direction in which you may drive in a lane or on a road.

Lanes can be reduced from the left, from the right or from both sides. Where two lanes end from both sides, check both blind spots. Another vehicle may also be changing lanes.

Be guided by information arrows. Never drive in the direction opposite to what the arrows show. The only exception is when a traffic officer asks you to. You find these arrows especially on one way streets and at wide intersections with a complex layout.

What do guide lines, symbols and words on the road tell you?

They give you extra help or extra information at one place on the road.

• Guide lines are marked in an intersection. They guide you to follow the correct route through it. Turn according to the markings.
• Bicycle crossing lines show a section of the road that cyclists use to cross the road. Look out for cyclists who are crossing or who want to cross.
• Road marking symbols tell you that an area is reserved for a specific group, or that a road leads to a specific destination.
• Word markings give you additional information.

Road marking symbols are used as additional markings, together with standard signs and markings. You find them at a cycle lane and on a road that leads to an airport. You also find them where a parking bay is reserved for the handicapped only. Do not use a road, or a marked part of a road, if you are not part of the group the marking identifies.

When you see a word marking, read the message on the road. Then concentrate on the possible danger that the message indicates.

The fine print

Most of these markings can be on any road. The mandatory direction arrow ahead marking is in a traffic lane, especially in urban areas (towns and cities). Speed hump markings and bicycle crossing lines are also found especially in urban areas.

Mistakes learners make

• Mixing up lane lines and dividing lines. Lane lines mean the traffic moves in the same direction. Dividing lines mean the vehicles on the other side are moving in the opposite direction.
• Staying in a lane with a continuity line on one side when you want to carry on along the road. That lane will soon turn off from the road you are travelling on.
• Thinking an arrestor bed is a place to pull over. Only drive into an arrestor bed when your brakes fail.
• Braking while you drive over a speed hump. Slow down first, and release your brake before you drive over the hump.
• Waiting until the no overtaking line starts before you move back. Move back to the left-hand lane as soon as possible, before the line starts.

Signs in this chapter

Railway crossing aheadThis marking warns that there is a railway crossing ahead.

Continuity linesContinuity lines warn you of a break in the continuing part of the roadway, such as an intersection or off ramp. If your lane has a…

Dividing linesDividing lines warn that vehicles on the other side of the marking are moving in the opposite direction.

Reversible lane linesThese lines warn that the marked lane can be used by traffic from the opposite direction at various times of the day or night.

Yield control aheadThis marking warns that there is a yield (give way) sign ahead.

Lane reduction arrowsLane reduction arrows warn that the number of traffic lanes is reduced (there are fewer lanes ahead). WM6.1 warns that the lanes are…

Lane reduction arrowsWM6.2 is the lane reduction marking that warns that the traffic lanes are reduced from both sides.

Mandatory direction arrow aheadThis marking warns you in time that you will be obliged to (will have to) follow a certain direction at the first intersection.

No overtaking or no crossing line aheadThis marking warns you that there is a no-overtaking line or a no-crossing line ahead.

Arrestor bed aheadThis marking shows where a driver whose brakes have become defective (have failed) can drive the vehicle off the road. It is especially…

Speed humpThis marking warns that there is a speed hump in the road.

Lane linesLane lines show that you are using a part of the road where the traffic moves in the same direction.

Guide linesGuide lines guide you to follow the correct route in an intersection.

Bifurcation arrowsBifurcation arrows show an increase in the number of lanes ahead.

Information arrowsInformation arrows show the direction in which you may drive in a lane or on a road.

Bicycle crossing linesThese lines show a section of the road that cyclists use to cross the road.

Road marking symbolsThese symbols are additional markings, used together with standard signs and markings. They tell you that an area is reserved for a…

Word markingsWord markings give you additional information.

Test yourself

1. Question 1

   

   You see the road marking shown painted on the roadway ahead of you. What must you do?

   • A Maintain your speed and sound the hooter
   • B Accelerate so as to clear the crossing quickly
   • C Slow down and, if necessary, stop before the crossing
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Slow down and, if necessary, stop before the crossing

   You must slow down and, if necessary, stop before the railway crossing.

2. Question 2

   You are travelling in a lane that has a continuity line on one side. What does the marking inform you about that lane?

   • A It is reserved for vehicles travelling in the opposite direction
   • B It will soon be reserved for cyclists only
   • C It will soon turn off from the road you are travelling on
   Show answer

   Answer: C: It will soon turn off from the road you are travelling on

   A lane with a continuity line on one side will soon turn off from your road.

3. Question 3

   Which road marking warns that vehicles on the other side of the marking are moving in the opposite direction?

   

   

   

   Show answer

   Answer: Picture A

   Dividing lines warn that vehicles on the other side are moving in the opposite direction.

4. Question 4

   

   You drive over the road marking shown and see other traffic approaching the intersection ahead. What must you do?

   • A Slow down, and stop if necessary
   • B Proceed, because the other traffic must stop for you
   • C Accelerate to enter the intersection first
   Show answer

   Answer: A: Slow down, and stop if necessary

   You must slow down when other traffic is approaching the intersection, and stop if necessary.

5. Question 5

   Lane reduction arrows indicate that the lane in which you are travelling ends ahead. What must you do?

   • A Stop at the end of the lane and wait
   • B Continue on the shoulder of the road
   • C Change lanes in time
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Change lanes in time

   You must change lanes in time when your lane ends.

6. Question 6

   You intend to turn right at the next intersection and see mandatory direction arrows ahead marked in the traffic lanes. What must you do?

   • A Choose the correct lane in time for your direction
   • B Turn right from whichever lane you are in
   • C Stop on the arrows until the lanes are clear
   Show answer

   Answer: A: Choose the correct lane in time for your direction

   You must choose the correct lane in time for the direction you want to go.