Pavement Markings and Traffic Signals
Pavement markings and traffic signals organize traffic and assign right-of-way. Maryland follows standard colors: yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, white lines separate lanes moving the same way or mark edges, and crosswalk and stop lines are white. Signals use steady and flashing indications with different legal meanings.
Core rules
- A broken yellow center line allows passing when safe; a solid yellow line on your side discourages or prohibits passing, depending on the combination. Double solid yellow means no passing for traffic on either side.
- White lane lines separate same-direction lanes. A solid white line marks an edge or a lane where crossing is discouraged; broken white allows lane changes when safe.
- Stop lines and crosswalks mark where to stop for signals and pedestrians. Turn arrows in lanes show the required or permitted turn.
- Steady red: stop. Right on red is allowed in Maryland after a full stop and yield unless a NO TURN ON RED sign prohibits it.
- Steady yellow: prepare to stop; it does not mean accelerate. Flashing yellow: proceed with caution. Flashing red: stop, then proceed when safe.
- A green arrow is a protected movement; a circular green still requires yielding to pedestrians and, for a left turn, to oncoming traffic unless a protected arrow is shown.
Worked example
You have a circular green and want to turn left. Oncoming traffic has a green too. You must yield to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians in the crosswalk before turning. If instead you have a green left arrow, oncoming traffic is stopped, so the arrow protects your turn. A flashing yellow arrow means the left turn is permitted but unprotected: yield first.
Traps that cost marks
Do not treat yellow as a signal to speed up. Do not confuse flashing red with flashing yellow: flashing red requires a stop. Do not assume a circular green protects a left turn. Check for a NO TURN ON RED sign before turning right on red, and always make the full stop first.
Key points
- Yellow lines separate opposite directions; white lines separate same-direction traffic or edges.
- Double solid yellow prohibits passing for both directions.
- Steady red means stop; right on red requires a full stop and yield unless prohibited.
- Flashing red means stop, then proceed when safe.
- A green arrow protects the movement; circular green may require yielding.
- A flashing yellow arrow permits an unprotected turn only after yielding.