Pavement Markings and Traffic Signals
Pavement markings
Pavement markings do the same jobs as signs: they separate traffic, mark lanes, and control crossings. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate lanes moving the same way, mark the right edge, and mark crosswalks and stop lines.
Core rules
- Center lines: A broken yellow line may be crossed to pass when safe. A solid yellow line means no passing from your side. Double solid yellow means no passing from either side. A double line with one broken and one solid allows passing only from the side with the broken line.
- Lane lines and edges: Broken white lines separate same-direction lanes and may be crossed when safe. Solid white lines discourage lane changes. A white edge line marks the right edge; a yellow edge line marks the left edge on divided highways.
- Crosswalks and stop lines: A stop line is a solid white bar before the crosswalk. Stop at the line, not in the crosswalk. Crosswalks may be marked with transverse lines or left unmarked at intersections.
- Signals: Solid red means stop. Solid yellow means stop if you can do so safely. Solid green means go if the way is clear. A green arrow gives protected movement in the arrow direction. Flashing red means stop and proceed when clear; flashing yellow means slow and proceed with caution.
Worked example
You are behind a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line on the opposite side. May you pass? No. The broken line is on the other side, so only opposing traffic may pass. Reasoning: the broken line grants the passing permission, and it is not on your side.
Traps
Stopping past the stop line; treating a flashing yellow as a green arrow; assuming a green circular light protects a left turn; crossing a solid white line to gain an exit; and missing an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.