Understanding Road Markings: A Trucker’s Guide

“Know the road rules, drive for ten years” – This old saying holds true, especially for truck drivers, the kings of the transport routes. To ensure safety for yourself and the community, understanding road markings is essential.

This article by XE TẢI HÀ NỘI provides a comprehensive guide to road markings, helping you drive confidently on any road.

Types and Meanings of Road Markings

Road markings are like the “silent language” of the road, acting as crucial traffic signals for regulation. Here’s a breakdown of their types and meanings:

1. Horizontal Road Markings

• Solid Line: Requires vehicles to stop. Never cross this line when the traffic light is red or there’s a prohibitive signal. For example, the stop line before the intersection at Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District.
• Broken Line: Allows lane changes when safe to do so. For instance, you might encounter this type of line on Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay District, where lane changes are permitted when there’s no oncoming traffic.
• Combination of Solid and Broken Lines:
  • If your vehicle is on the side with the solid line: You are not allowed to overtake or change lanes.
  • If your vehicle is on the side with the broken line: You are allowed to overtake or change lanes when it is safe.
  • Example: You can find this type of marking on Nhat Tan Bridge, where there are sections allowing overtaking and sections prohibiting it.

2. Longitudinal Road Markings

• Solid Line: Separates two-way traffic or designates lanes for different types of vehicles. Overtaking is strictly prohibited.
• Broken Line: Separates lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. You may overtake or change lanes when it is safe. For example, the lane dividers on Pham Hung Street, Nam Tu Liem District.

3. Other Types of Road Markings

• Arrow Markings: Indicate the permitted direction of travel.
• Cross Markings: Indicate no parking zones.
• Pedestrian Crossings: Designated areas for pedestrians to cross the road.