Page 37 - FINAL GA Drivers Manual Updated July 2021

SECTION 7 : SIGNS, SIGNALS & MARKINGS

Pavement Markings
Pavement markings, like highway signs, are used to warn and direct drivers and to regulate
traffic.
Stop Lines
Stop lines are white lines painted across the pavement at intersections indicating the point beyond
which your vehicle should not cross if you are stopping for a traffic control device. In urban areas, the
line is usually located about four feet before the crosswalk. Drivers must come to a complete stop at
the stop line, when present, not at the actual stop sign or traffic signal.

Crosswalk Lines
These white lines are painted across, or partially across the pavement. Sometimes they will be painted
in a ladder pattern. When pedestrians are in the crosswalks, they have the right-of-way over motor
vehicles. Crosswalks are sometimes in the middle of a block in residential areas, and in some cases,
a pedestrian crossing signal is located at the white line.

CROSSING ROAD
RAIL
Railroad Crossings
When a road is crossed by a railroad crossing, the pavement is usually marked with a large X and two R’s. At
railroad crossings, a yellow line is always placed on the right side of the center line to prevent passing. The cross-
ing is sometimes equipped with control arms and/or emergency lights, to warn drivers of approaching trains. The
driver of the vehicle must stop if warning signals indicate a train is approaching.
CROSSING ROAD
RAIL

Center Lines
These are used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions on paved roadways. Broken yellow
lines are used when there are only two lanes and it is safe to pass in either direction.
No Passing Lines
Single Lines
These single, solid yellow lines on two-lane roads indicate zones where passing is prohibited. They will
be located on the right of the broken yellow line when they apply to the lane in which you are traveling.
In some instances, both yellow lines will be solid, indicating it is not safe for passing in either direction.
Double White Lines
These are double white line (dashed or solid) pavement markings on roadways that indicate where
vehicles can or cannot cross to access the adjacent lane. When the double white lines are dashed,
vehicles are allowed to cross over to the adjacent lane. When the double white lines are solid, lane
changes are prohibited.

Edge Lines
These are the solid white lines along the side of the pavement. They serve as safety guides, especially at
night when it is difficult to see the edge of the road. A yellow edge line may be used on the left side to warn
of narrow or raised medians.
Lane Lines
These are the white dashes that mark the individual lanes of travel on streets and highways having more than
one lane for traffic moving in the same direction.
When there are four or more lanes with traffic moving in opposite directions, two solid yellow lines mark the
center of the roadway. You may cross these lines only to make a left turn into or from an alley, private road,
driveway, or another street. When traveling on a multi-lane road, stay in the right lane except to pass other
vehicles traveling in the same direction.

Traffic Striping
These markings, created by diagonal yellow lines, are on streets and highways indi-
cating that the road is narrowing or there is an obstruction on the roadway. The area
is similar to a triangle with solid yellow diagonal lines within the outside lines. Always
keep to the right of these markings.

36