7 Common Pavement Markings & What They Mean

Road markings come in various shapes and sizes. They range from intuitive parking space stripes to more complicated centerlines and turn arrows that you’ll find on main roads and at intersections.

Pavement lines are important signals that help keep everyone safe and, quite literally, in their lanes. There’s never a bad time to brush up on these markings, especially if it’s been a while since driver’s ed. Below are seven common pavement markings decoded.

1. Solid Yellow Lines

Solid yellow lines on roads separate traffic traveling in opposite directions. They’re used as the center line on two-lane and multi-lane roads with vehicles traveling both ways. They indicate “no-passing” zones.

If you see a solid double yellow line in the middle of a road, you cannot cross it to pass other cars within your lane. The cars in the opposite lane likewise can’t pass vehicles in their own lane. If there’s a single solid yellow line in the middle of the road, vehicles in either lane can’t cross that line to pass.

2. Single Broken or “Dashed” Yellow Lines

Single dashed yellow lines also separate traffic going in opposite directions, usually on two-lane roads. If the way ahead is clear, you can cross single dashed yellow lines into the opposite lane to pass vehicles ahead of you.

3. Solid-Broken Yellow Line Combinations

You might encounter double yellow lines where one line is broken and the other is solid. In these situations, only traffic on one side of the road can pass by crossing the yellow line.

• If the dashed yellow line is on your side of the road, you are allowed to cross the line to pass vehicles in your lane.
• If the solid yellow line is on your side, you are not allowed to cross it to pass. However, traffic in the opposite lane may attempt to pass using your lane.

4. Stop Lines

Stop lines are solid, wide, horizontal white lines indicating where to stop on the roadway. You’ll encounter stop lines at intersections with crossing traffic. You might also see them near railroad tracks, at pedestrian crossings and at the end of parking lot lanes.

Some stop lines have the word “STOP” painted on or near them. You might also see stop signs, flashing lights or standard stop lights nearby. Regardless of whether these items are present, you must still come to a full stop at all stop lines.

5. Broken and Solid White Lines

White lines separate traffic flowing in the same direction, usually on interstates or multi-lane roads.

• If the lines are broken, you can pass traffic traveling in the same direction by crossing the white lines.
• If you see solid white lines, you cannot pass traffic traveling in your same direction.

6. Crosswalk Lines

Crosswalks are marked by two parallel lines across the road. You’ll often encounter them at intersections, but they can appear in other areas, such as where trailheads or walking paths intersect roadways. Some crosswalks are also designed with a series of wider vertical lines.

Always yield or stop for pedestrians or bicyclists in crosswalks. You are not allowed to overtake or pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk.

7. Pedestrian Crossings

Although similar to crosswalk lines, pedestrian crossings are more prominent. They are marked by two white, double parallel lines across the road with a white “PED XING” in each lane approaching the walking area. Some pedestrian crossings are also slightly raised like speed bumps. You may also see yield signs, stop signs, safety cones or flashing lights near pedestrian crossings.

You’ll often see these crossings in high foot-traffic areas and near schools. The same pedestrian right-of-way rules apply for pedestrian crossings as for crosswalks. You must yield or stop for pedestrians in crossing lanes.

Other Pavement Markings You Might Encounter

You might encounter other pavement markings in parking lots or roadways, including:

• Arrows: These symbols appear at intersections and in parking lots, they indicate the allowed travel direction for your lane. Different lanes might allow straight travel, right turns only, left turns only or a combination.
• Handicap-accessible parking: To meet Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance rules, most parking lots must offer handicap-accessible spaces. These spaces are often painted with a wheelchair symbol, sometimes backed by a blue circle. Some accessible spaces will include marked loading/unloading zones next to them.
• Railroad crossings: Many railroad intersections are marked with “R X R” symbols between two wide white horizontal lines. Always use caution when approaching tracks, as some may not have flashing lights or safety gates.
• School zones: Speed and safety zones around schools are marked with the word “SCHOOL” between two horizontal lines. You may need to slow down in school zones before, during and after school hours.
• Bicycle lanes: Special bike lanes may be added to the right-hand shoulder of certain roads. They’re often marked with a bicycle symbol or with “BIKE LANE.” Don’t drive or pass in bike lanes and give extra space to bikers.

Need Pavement Markings?

A solid understanding of pavement markings helps create safer roads, and it’s important to have the right markings in any commercial space. For lasting parking lot striping and pavement lines, Raleigh Paving is the reliable North Carolina paving partner to trust. Contact us today to start your next parking lot project.