The UAE government ensures the roads are safe and friendly for motorists and pedestrians alike. To this end, there are various traffic and road markings to help the motorists drive safely and with precautions while the pedestrians can move freely too. While you can find out all about traffic signs in the UAE easily, here is everything you need to know about road markings in the UAE.
What are UAE Road Markings?
There are several actual markings on the road in the UAE that are a helpful guide for the drivers. If you are on a road and unsure what to do, follow the marking, if there is any. However, you need to know their types and meanings to interpret them and drive right. Furthermore, learning about these markings is crucial to pass your driving test in the UAE.
Types of the UAE Road Markings
There are three main types of road markings in the UAE that motorists need to take care of. These are:
- Regulatory Road Markings
- Warning Road Markings
- Guidance Road Markings
Let’s get into the details of these different types, their meanings and usage.
1. Regulatory Road Markings
These markings guide you about the road laws to follow. These are mandatory and must be followed to avoid driving mistakes and penalties. These are usually marked in white or yellow colour and include:
a. No Passing Line
Symbol: A yellow, continuous, longitudinal line along the road running parallel to it.
Meaning: You must stay inside the line and should not cross it to turn or overtake another vehicle unless in case of an emergency.
b. Stop Line
Symbol: It is a continuous, longitudinal, white line running across the road. You will find it when approaching the intersection.
Meaning: If a stop line is coupled with a stop sign, you must stop before the line. If the stop line is on a traffic signal, you should not drive beyond the line unless the signal is green.
c. Give Way Line
Symbol: It is a short, intermittent, white line across the road.
Meaning: This line means you should give way to the pedestrians and vehicles crossing the path. Ensure there is nobody on the line and the intersection is clear before passing through.
d. Pedestrian Crossing
Symbol: Pedestrian crossings are several white lines across the road. It is made quite visible to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Meaning: Drivers must give way to pedestrians at these crossings while pedestrians can cross the road at this point freely. Failure at the end of motorists to abide by the pedestrian crossing rule results in a hefty fine in the UAE. Also, have a look at pedestrian safety rules in Dubai to learn more about it.
e. Box Junctions
Symbol: Yellow box with diagonal squares on the intersections.
Meaning: It indicates that drivers should not block the intersection. You should never enter the yellow box unless the exit is clear.
2. Warning Road Markings
These are warning markings to warn the drivers about hazardous conditions on the road ahead.
a. Rumble Strips
Symbol: These are yellow painted raised strips that vibrate when you drive across them.
Meaning: These are to warn the driver of an upcoming hazard or a marking to follow. The rumble is useful especially to alert the drowsy drivers. These are found on several roads in Dubai.
b. Speed Hump Markings
Symbol: Large broken yellow lines all across the road.
Meaning: The purpose of speed hump markings is to alert the driver of speed humps ahead.
c. Tram Crossing Marking
Symbol: A large white cross on the road.
Meaning: The white cross symbolises that there is a tram or a railway crossing ahead and you should drive cautiously.
3. Guidance Road Markings
These markings on the UAE roads are to guide the drivers where the vehicles should go, especially when driving around roundabouts and intersections.
a. Lines in the Road’s Centre
There are four types of different guidance lines that mean different things on the road. These are:
– Broken Yellow Lines
These are located in the centre of the road and separate lanes going in the opposite direction. You should keep to the right side of the lines and do not cross them unless the path is clear and crossing is safe.
– Broken White Lines
These white broken lines are there to separate two lanes going in the same direction. Always drive your car on one side of these lines. You might also observe longer white broken lines usually around a pedestrian crossing or an intersection. You are not permitted to cross or change lanes.
– Single or Double Solid Lines
You should never cross solid yellow lines especially at the centre of the road. These are usually located at areas where a hazard is likely to be there ahead such as a bend where the traffic ahead is not visible.
– Double yellow Lines, Solid on one side and broken on the other
A driver may cross these to change lanes or overtake another vehicle if they are on the side of the broken lines. However, a motorist must not cross if they are on the side of the solid line.
b. Traffic Lane Arrows
These are arrows painted in the centre of the road to indicate the direction in which the traffic flows in those particular lanes. These are:
- Arrows to indicate directions on approach to intersections
- Arrows indicating deceleration lane ahead
- Move into lane as indicated
- Areas to separate traffic movements (avoid driving over these areas)
In addition to these, you will find other specified markings on the UAE roads as well such as bus stop markings, UAE speed limits mentioned on the lanes and more.
This concludes the guide on road markings in the UAE. Follow these markings to drive safely around. If your old car is losing its roadworthiness making it difficult for you to follow the road guidelines in the UAE, it is time to buy another one. Have a look at these used cars for sale in the UAE to find the right pick for you.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on road safety guidelines and more.
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