What Do the Different Road Markings Mean?

Hello mga ka-Triton! Whether you are a driver or a pedestrian, knowing the different road markings in the country is a must. Learning them will keep you safe and knowledgeable with traffic rules. Violating them will score you expensive penalties or some jail time.

But what are they exactly?

Road markings or road surface markings are lines that convey information and guide drivers and pedestrians. There are 17 road markings common in the Philippines, and we will talk about them.

1. Solid White Shoulder Line

This marking signifies the edge of the road. Anywhere beyond this line should be out of your vehicle’s operation. Always drive within this line.

2. Diagonal White Line

Diagonal White Lines are areas bordered by solid white lines. This marking means that the area is not part of the roadway, and drivers are expected to stay clear. Oftentimes, diagonal white lines help ease the flow of traffic where roads intersect or diverge.

3. Broken White Center Line or Lane Divider

As the name suggests, these series of broken white lines in the middle of the road divides the lanes for incoming and outgoing traffic. Straddling to the other side can cause an accident, and it is punishable by the law.

I can’t stress this enough but, STAY IN YOUR LANE WHEN DRIVING.

4. Solid White Center Line

It divides the traffic into two-way multi-lane roads. You should also avoid overtaking over this line unless the road ahead is clear, or else you will cause an accident.

5. Solid White Double Center Line

Never attempt to overtake on these lines at any time. Left-hand turns are only allowed when the road ahead is clear. But do keep in mind that the other side always has the right of way.

6. Solid Yellow Double Center Line

You will find these lines around blind curves or inroads where fast-moving two-way traffic meets on an undivided road. Like with its white counterpart, it is best to avoid overtaking it.

7. Mixed Center Line/Solid Yellow with Broken Yellow or White Line

These lines signal that only one side can overtake, the side with the broken lines. You will commonly find them when entering curves with an obstructed view from one direction but clear on the opposite side.

8. Solid White Lane Divider

Solid White Lane Dividers are found when you are near intersections. It is easy to confuse it with Solid White Center Lines, but the best indication for it is that it will have a turning lane 50 meters before intersections with a broken divider lane. You must slow down when approaching them and start making the turn slowly. Again, this line serves as a reminder for you to stay in your lane.

9. Directional Arrows

These white arrow markings are always found with the solid white lane dividers. The arrows tell you which direction the lanes go. It can point you straight forward. Or it can signal you that the lane you are following follows a turn. Don’t ignore these arrows because you will receive a ticket at best and an accident at worst.

10. Broken Blue Line Divider

It indicates the motorcycle lane. These lines mean that drivers can move in and out. Although only motorcycles should use the space between the broken blue lines.

11. Pedestrian Lanes

Pedestrian Lanes are your best buddies when crossing roads on foot. Always use them for a safe road crossing. As for drivers, we advise you to stop your car before the Solid White Horizontal Line when a pedestrian is crossing or when the traffic lights are red.

12. Solid White Horizontal Line

The thick solid white lines appear before pedestrian lanes or intersections with stoplights or stop signs. It signals you, the driver, to stop before it when the stop lights are red or when pedestrians are crossing.

13. Solid Yellow Lane Divider

On EDSA, this line marks as the bus lane.

14. Broken Yellow Lane Divider

These broken lines indicate areas where you can merge into the bus lane in preparation for turning away from EDSA.

15. Mixed Double Lane Divider/Solid Yellow with Broken Yellow or White Line

These lines indicate that the cars on the solid yellow side cross lanes, while vehicles on the other side can if the way is clear. You will find them in areas where smaller arteries merge into main roads or where feeder roads merge onto the highway.

16. Rumble Strips

These tight-spaced lines indicate hazards ahead your way. Such hazards could be dangerous curves or merging traffic. And as its name suggests, you will feel a rumble when your car passes through these lines.

17. Yellow Box

This yellow box with a large x-mark or huge crisscrosses indicates an intersection. By all accounts of the law, this area must always be kept open. No car should ever stop on it, or there will be penalties for the driver. So make sure you don’t get caught inside it.

We hope that you find this useful for a safe driving experience. Because you know, a lot of accidents happen each year. But together, we can reduce these numbers to make all roads as safe as they can be.

And if you happen to be a contractor or a civil engineer, we highly suggest that you make roads safer by creating road marks using our Triton Traffic Paint Products. You can leave us a message on our Facebook Page to learn more.

Thank you for lounging with us, and we bid you a happy and safe trip.