Which Are The Most Commonly Misunderstood Road Signs In The Uk?

Every driver thinks they know all the road markings and what they mean. The current driving test includes learning UK road signs, so there’s really no excuse for getting the most common ones wrong. But with 62% of drivers admitting they were unsure about the meaning of the “No Entry” sign, perhaps it’s not as clear cut as it seems. Here are four more road signs British drivers regularly get wrong.

With-flow bus and cycle lane

79% of respondents in a 2019 survey could not explain what this sign meant. The blue rectangle indicates that one lane is for buses and cycles only, while the other is for any other traffic.

With-flow bus lane ahead which pedal cycles and taxis may also use

Despite this sign having a much more complicated title, fewer drivers got this wrong. 72% of drivers failed to identify the blue square with the bus, cycle and dashed line, so it’s still one of the UK’s most mystifying road signs.

Minimum speed

Did you know that as well as maximum speed limit signs, there are blue “minimum speed limit” signs? If you didn’t, you’re not alone. 70% of surveyed drivers failed to understand this sign. If you’re spotted by police doing 10mph in a 30mph minimum zone, you can be prosecuted.

The recommended route for pedal cycles

57% of drivers got this wrong. It’s possible that those who got it right ride a bicycle as well as drive a car – that would certainly explain the results.

Were you surprised by these results? Did you know the meaning of all these road signs? Keep your own road markings and car park marking clear and easy to understand with our professional services.

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How Ground Markings Can Improve Your Playground

There is a worry in society that kids are forgetting how to play. Many fear that they have grown too accustomed to using smartphones and other gadgets for entertainment purposes and that this means they don’t know what to do when they get time outdoors. Many children don’t get the chance to play outdoors at home for safety fears, so it is essential that schools really take the lead during break times and strive hard to ensure that they give children an enriching play experience. You can help achieve this by improving your playground with thermoplastic line marking or playground markings.

Zoning

Zoning can really improve a playground. Creating different zones for different activities means that children can play the way they want to in their own specific zone without worry about what else is happening around them. For instance, you could use our line marking paint for car parks and other surfaces to create a zone specifically for ball play. This creates an area where children can play ball games without having to worry about disturbing others. They will be able to play to their heart’s content without the fear of play being stopped because they have hit someone. Other kids, meanwhile can get on with exactly what they want to do as well.

Set up games

Using line markings on the playground can also be a great help in setting up games. For instance, painting hopscotch, road markings, grid games or even courts for playing specific sports directly onto the playground could encourage the kids to start playing games all by themselves as well as saving you time and chalk. Kids naturally want to play and if you provide them with the means to do so, they will take full advantage. Since play is often linked to good behaviour within school time, it is certainly in your best interests to ensure you are providing every possible opportunity.

If you are interested in sprucing up your playground with some markings, give us a call. We are more than happy to discuss your needs and can offer advice to help you make your playground somewhere that your kids will love.

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What Do Different Road Markings Mean?

Whether you’re a learner driver or an experienced driver brushing up on your knowledge, you may be wondering what the different road markings are and what they mean. It is important that you are able to recognize and understand what different road markings mean so you can drive safely and with confidence. Below we explain what some of the most common road markings signify…

Broken white lines: You can change lanes if you wish, providing it is safe to do so.

Solid white line: You must stay in your chosen lane.

White lines and arrows: These lines indicate which direction traffic must travel in.

White diagonal hatching: Hatching is used to create enough space between lanes for vehicles to turn off safely. If the hatching is bordered by a broken white line, you can enter it if it’s safe to do so.

Single yellow edge line: You are allowed to wait or park here but only at certain times. The times will differ and should be indicated on a sign close by.

Double yellow edge lines: No parking or waiting here at any time.

White triangle: A warning to drivers that there is a give way coming up ahead.

If you’re a driver, you should not drive your vehicle without a thorough understanding of UK road signs and markings to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you. Similarly, if you are a landowner and own a private road or business park, it is your responsibility to have well maintained, correct road markings.

If you are unsure what road markings you require or need professional road markings painted, contact Highways East Midlands for a free road marking quote. From traditional markings to bespoke options, Highways East Midlands can deliver quality, durable markings.

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The Primary Colours Of Parking: What Yellow Lines, Red Lines, And Blue Badges Really Mean

Road markings are crucial for telling drivers where they can park. But not every driver knows The Highway Code inside-out, and many don’t know the exact rules regarding yellow lines, red lines, and blue badges. If you’re not 100% confident about road markings and what they mean, this guide will clear up any confusion.

Single-yellow lines

Yellow lines restrict parking on the pavement, verge, and road.

Single-yellows prohibit parking between particular times and on particular days, which are indicated on yellow UK road signs. However, stopping to allow passengers to board is always allowed.

Stopping to load or unload is different. As a default, it is allowed. However, a single yellow dash on or by the kerb indicates that loading and unloading are restricted to certain times, which are indicated on black-and-white signs.

Double-yellow lines

Double-yellows prohibit parking at any time. They also prohibit waiting to load or unload goods, and to allow passengers to board. The common assumption that double-yellow lines don’t apply on Sundays or Bank Holidays is a myth. The only exception comes if a yellow sign indicates that the double-yellows only apply between particular dates.

Red lines

Like yellow lines, single-red lines prohibit parking during particular times, and double-red lines prohibit parking at all times. However, unlike with yellow lines, there are no exceptions for stopping to load or unload goods or to allow passengers to board.

Blue badges

Blue badge holders can park on double- and single-yellow lines for up to three hours at any time – but they cannot park on red lines of any kind, except outside of restricted times.

Get in touch

If you require professional road markings painted, contact Highways East Midlands for a free quote. We can deliver a range of high-quality, long-lasting markings options.

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Effective Road Markings Increase Road Safety

Road markings are used on streets and major thoroughfares to inform and warn motorists and pedestrians. They make a significant contribution to maintaining safe and orderly traffic flow. Along with traffic signs, they follow national regulations and standards to ensure consistency. They need to be visible in any weather condition and should convey information in an unambiguous way. Here are some important points to ensure that road markings are working effectively.

Clear Paint

Make sure that markings are clearly painted to indicate any particular hazards ahead. For instance, a white diamond painted on the road can warn motorists that they are approaching a pedestrian crossing. This marking will require them to reduce their speed.

Regular Maintenance

It is important for road markings to remain visible at all times. However, the paint can fade and wear over time. This makes it difficult for vehicles to stay in the right lane. As such, you need to frequently repaint the roads to ensure safety.

Improve visibility

As some roads are not well lit, road markings should be visible even when it’s dark. To improve the markings, mix reflective glass beads into the paint before applying onto the surface. It can increase the visibility of the markings in wet conditions and at night. It is also an economical way to improve traffic guidance and safety.

If you are in need of road markings for business parks and private roads, Highways East Midlands, can help you. We aim to deliver an exceptional service that suits any budget. All of our machinery and materials comply with demanding tests and performance standards to ensure that we are providing you with the best. For more information regarding our services, contact us on 0845 6262 444 or info@highwayseastmidlands.co.uk.

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Why No Road Markings Are An Invitation For Accidents

According to the Road Traffic Act of 1988, roads have to be reasonably safe for their users. Therefore, roads that have no markings, faded lines or poorly drawn markings are at risk of violating the law. Road markings are important as they give instructions to drivers as well as the public, meaning their absence could result in unsafe conditions leading to accidents.

Both the highway authorities and owners of private roads have a duty to make roads as safe as possible for cars, so road markings should be at the top of their lists.

When do poor road markings cause accidents?

A scenario where a lack of road markings could cause an accident is where there is no indication of an upcoming junction. Roads that turn at 90-degree angles need to be marked if they become a new road after the turn. Without this, drivers will believe the same road to simply be continuing on, leaving them vulnerable to being hit by a car from the side.

Can no road markings cause accidents in car parks?

There is even the possibility of collisions in car parks if there are no road markings. Arrows on the ground indicate the routes cars should take and direct them safely towards entrances and exits. Cars could easily collide if using the wrong entrance or exit, especially if the car park is near a busy road requiring a swift turn to enter.

Get in touch

Here at Highways East Midlands LTD, we’re committed to offering customers high-quality line marking paint for car parks and roads. Whether you’re looking for road marking yellow paint or temporary tape, we have a wide range of products for you to choose from.

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A guide to warehouse marking colours

Although each warehouse chooses to draw its markings in a slightly different way, there are some standards that tend to remain constant across the board. If you’re at a loss when it comes to choosing colours, this guide will give you a helping hand.

Yellow

Typically used to mark out traffic lanes and aisles, yellow lines are easy to see and guide workers and machinery around the warehouse in a safe way. Yellow is also often used for arrows to indicate areas that are one way only to avoid collisions.

White

White car park marking paint helps to outline cells where equipment can be stored. This helps to keep warehouses tidy and organised and encourages workers to leave machinery where it was found.

Red and white stripes

This ‘candy cane’ line depicts areas that need to be kept clear of obstacles and tells workers they should stand back. It’s essential to use this kind of marking to adhere to safety regulations.

Yellow and black stripes

The universal danger colours, these markings are usually around areas that are hazardous, whether that’s because they store chemicals or house dangerous machinery that’s in operation.

Fluorescent stripes

Often in green, yellow or orange, fluorescent stripes are typically used for the edges of stairs so that they are easily visible even in dimly lit rooms.

Contact us

Here at Highways East Midlands, we stock a wide range of UK road signs and thermoplastic line marking products for use in a wide range of industries. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more about what kind of paint is right for your warehouse or need any advice concerning colours.

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