The most commonly misunderstood road markings

If you’re planning to hire a car or hire a van, it’s a safe bet to assume you’re a pretty experienced driver already – so you’ll already be up to speed on what most of the most common road markings mean. Everyone knows the most common (and important) signs like the Give Wayinverted triangle, or the don’t-park-here double yellow lines. But strangely enough, there are still quite a lot of road markings that even experienced drivers often misunderstand, so it can be handy to refresh your knowledge occasionally. So this week here on the blog at Intack Self Drive, we’re taking a look at some of those!

Yellow Box Junctions

Yellow box junctions are arguably some of the most misunderstood road markings in the UK – and even if you already know what they mean, you may well have witnessed some drivers who probably don’t! You’ll usually see them at busy crossroads or junctions where traffic lights are in place. The yellow criss-cross pattern basically means that drivers must not stop on the area it covers – so effectively, you can only drive onto it if you already know you’ll be able to drive off the other side. If the traffic ahead has stopped it leaves you sitting inside the yellow box, it generally blocks the path of other drivers, and that can open up the risk of collisions.

Many drivers mistakenly think they can edge forward into the box as long as the lights are green, but that’s not the case! If the traffic clogs up and drivers are caught in the box when the lights change, that risks a fine from traffic cameras. It takes patience, especially in heavy traffic, but it’s better than being left stranded in the middle of a junction when the lights change.

Double White Lines

Double white lines are another set of markings that often puzzle drivers, especially when one of the lines is broken and the other is solid. On roads where you see two solid white lines down the middle, that means you shouldn’t cross them unless it’s absolutely necessary, such as when you need to pass a stationary car, overtake a pedal cycle, horse, or road maintenance car travelling at 10mph or less. Or, if you’re turning into a side road or property.

Where one line is solid and the other broken, the rules depend on which side of the line you’re on. If the solid line is closer to you, you must obey it and avoid crossing unless the exemptions apply. If the broken line is closer, you may cross to overtake if it’s safe. Many drivers assume that having a broken line nearby always means overtaking is fine, but that can lead to risky situations – so you’ll need to use your judgement to assess the markings carefully and always follow the restrictions of the line nearest to your side of the road.

Zig-Zag Lines at Pedestrian Crossings

Zig-zag lines painted on the road at pedestrian crossings are designed to protect people crossing. These markings mean you must not park or overtake in the area covered by the zig-zags. The idea is to ensure that drivers and pedestrians have a clear view of each other, making crossings safer for everyone. Parking on zig-zag lines (even briefly) risks blocking sightlines, and increasing the chance of someone stepping into the road unseen.

It’s common to see drivers pulling up on zig-zag lines to drop someone off or quickly run into a shop, but even if it’s common, it’s actually illegal. Drivers who are caught doing it can face a fine, penalty points, or even have their car towed in some areas. So, it’s always a good idea to keep these areas clear and be ready to slow down when you approach a crossing, since pedestrians have priority once they step onto the road.

Red Routes and Clearways

Red routes are found mainly in large cities, especially ones like London or Manchester, and they’re marked by red lines along the edge of the road. These markings show strict rules on stopping, parking, loading, or unloading, depending on whether there’s a single or double red line. Double red lines mean you must not stop at any time, while single red lines may enable stopping during certain times of the day, which will be displayed on nearby signs.

Clearways are another marking that drivers often misunderstand. These are marked by a circular sign with a red cross and blue background, usually placed at the start of the clearway section. The rule is simple: you must not stop on a clearway for any reason other than emergencies or when directed by the police. Both red routes and clearways are designed to keep traffic moving, especially in areas where congestion is a big problem.

Final Thoughts

Those are all the important ones covered! And besides road markings, if you have any questions about the technicalities of hiring a van, car or minibus, we can help there too – just head on over to our FAQs page. Alternatively, if you’ve already got all the information you need and you’re looking to hire a vehicle soon, you can take a look at our flexi car hire options here, or browse our daily and weekly hire options. Don’t forget, our friendly team is only a phone call away - feel free to give us a ring on 01254 57811!