It is the law that local authorities must comply with road marking legislations to ensure that traffic routes are safe. The road markings must be clear and concise with the correct signs meaning road users and pedestrians know the routes they must take
When looking at your road markings there are a few questions to ask when carrying out a safety assessment these include;
- Where are signs and road markings needed?
- What are the potential hazards?
- What signs are required and where?
- Who has the right of way at a crossing?
Crossings – All crossings for junctions must be marked correctly showing the road user the right of way with clear signs to alert the drivers of this.
Hazards – It is paramount that potential hazards are also clearly marked with the appropriate warning signs. Hazards that require markings include the following;
- Junctions
- Blind corners
- Steep gradients
- Roadworks
- Sharp bends
- Junctions
- Crossings
Signs – Signs are also a legal requirement when it comes to local authority guidelines for road markings. They are used to ensure that the drivers and pedestrians are aware of the routes they should be taking and where they can and can not go. Signs help to inform road user of layouts, risks and hazards. All signs should be clear and easy to read. They should be obvious with no obstructions. The signs on the roads need to be well maintained. Reflective lift should also be used to ensure they can be seen by road users in the dark.
Road markings – Road markings are essential to provide instructions to drivers for many different rules of the road these include the following;
- Traffic lanes
- Instructions such as SLOW
- Junction priority’s
- Give way
- Stop lines
- Traffic lanes
- No parking
- Crossings
Road markings that are white help to regulate traffic, yellow are parking regulations. Road markings are marked out using thermoplastic meaning that they last longer than standard paint would. Using tiny fragmented glass beading the road markings are made reflective so that they can be seen in dark conditions by road users. It is important that local authorities ensure road markings are kept visible to ensure the safety of the road users within their local area.
Shawfield are leaders in specialist road markings so if you need to find out more about road marking legislations or to check if you are compliant contact us today.