Pavement Markings
Lines and symbols on roadways are used to warn and direct drivers and to control the flow of traffic. ·
- WHITE LANE LINES
White lane lines are white lines separating lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Crossing of solid white line requires special care and is discouraged. A solid broken white line means passing to the left or right is allowed provided the way is clear. ·
- YELLOW LANE LINES
Yellow lane lines are dividing lines separating traffic traveling opposite directions.
A solid yellow line
at the left lane means, it is not safe to pass. YELLOW "NO PASSING" LINES:
"No Passing" lines are solid yellow lines on roads where traffic moves in opposite directions. The lines indicate zones where passing is not allowed.
When the solid yellow line is on your side of the center line, you may cross it to finish passing a vehicle you started to pass before the beginning of the no passing zone. Or, you may cross it to make a left turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway. When there is a solid and a broken yellow line separating two lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions, you may pass only when the broken yellow line is nearest your lane.
A broken yellow line means passing is allowed if the way ahead and rear is clear.
Solid double yellow lines at the left lane mean it is unsafe to pass. Never cross it to pass another vehicle. The line maybe crossed only to enter or leave a driveway or private road or to make a permitted "U" turn.
Double-line with both broken and solid markings.
A double line consisting of a single broken yellow line parallel to a single solid yellow line is used to show a two-way road or highway where passing is permitted on the side of the broken line, but not on the side of the solid line. This type of marking is often seen on two and three-lane roadways. Traffic on the left side of the solid line may cross this marking only when making a left turn. ·
CLIMBING AND PASSING LANES
This sign is usually installed two (2) kilometers in advance in an approaching location where a climbing or passing lane has been provided and is marked on the highway.
Passing lanes allow slower vehicles to move into the right hand lane, permitting faster vehicles to pass safely in the left lane.
When approaching the end of the climbing or passing lane, the driver in the right-hand lane must merge with other traffic in the center lane in the same direction. ·
LEFT TURN CENTER LANES
Left turn center lane is the lane in the middle of a two-way street. The lane is bordered on either side by two (2) painted lines: the inner broken line and the outside solid line. Use the lane only when you want to turn left to leave a street, when turning left into the street or to start a permitted "U" turn.
To turn left from street, signal for a left-turn and drive completely inside the lane. Don't stop at an angle with the rear of your vehicle blocking traffic. Turn only when it is safe. Look for vehicles approaching in the same lane to make their turn turns.
To turn left from a side street or driveway, drive into the lane when it is safe then signal your intent to move into the normal flow of traffic and make the move when it is safe.
You may drive across the left turn center lane. You must also use this lane to start a "U" turn, if it is permitted and safe. ·
BIKE LANE
Although bike lanes are seldom in our highways, this is painted on the pavements by a solid white line along either side of the street, four (4) feet or more from the curb. The line is usually broken near the corner. The letters "BIKE LANE" are painted on the pavement at intervals.
SPEED LIMIT
Any person driving a motor vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at careful and prudent speed, not greater nor less than what is reasonable and proper, having due regard for the traffic, the width of the highway and any other condition then and there existing, and no person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway at such speed as to endanger the life, limb and property of any person, nor at a speed greater than will permit him to bring the vehicle to stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
PRESCRIBED RATE OF SPEED AS PER SECTION 35 OF REPUBLIC ACT 4136 KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION & TRAFFIC CODE:
Maximum Passenger Cars Motor Trucks Allowable Speed & Motorcycles & Buses On open country roads with no "Blind Corners" not closely bordered by habitations. 80 km/hour 50 km/hour
On "Through Streets" or Boulevards, clear of traffic with no "Blind Corners", when so designated. 40 km/hour 30 km/hour
On city and municipal streets with light traffic, when not designated "Through Streets". 30 km/hour 30 km/hour
Through crowded streets approaching intersections at "Blind Corners", passing school zones, passing other vehicles which are stationary or for similar dangerous circumstances. 30 km/hour 20 km/hour
THE HEREIN PRESCRIBED RATE OF SPEED SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING:
1.) A physician or his driver when the former responds to emergency calls.
2.) The driver of a hospital ambulance on the way to and from the place of accident or other emergency.
3. ) Any driver bringing a wounded or sick person for emergency treatment to a hospital, clinic or any similar place.
4.) The driver of a motor vehicle belonging to the armed forces while in use for official purposes in times of riot, insurrection or invasion.
5.) The driver of a vehicle, when he or his passengers are in pursuit of a criminal.
6.) A law-enforcement officer who is trying to overtake a violator of traffic laws.
7.) The driver officially operating a motor vehicle of any fire department provided that exemption shall not construed to allow useless or unnecessary fast driving of drivers aforementioned.
KEEP DISTANCE FROM OTHER VEHICLES - LEAVE YOURSELF A SPACE
· Be sure there is sufficient space for your vehicle to fit into the traffic flow. Do not follow other vehicles too easily.
· Avoid tail-gaiting. Staying too close to a vehicle leaves no room for maneuvering. It limits you to braking when things begin to stack up in the lane ahead.
· Maintain a car length distance when following a car. This will give you adequate space, time to react and to stop safely if necessary.
· Give motorcycles the same distance you would give to any other vehicles. Motorcycles are entitled to the same full length, width as all other vehicles on the road.
RIGHT OF WAY
· FIRST-TIME VEHICLE RULE
At all intersections without "stop" or "yield" signs, slow down and prepare to stop. Yield to vehicles already in the intersection or about to enter it.
· SAME-TIME VEHICLE RULE
At all intersections without "stop" or "yield" signs (or with stops in all directions), yield to the vehicle on your right if it has reached the intersection of same time as your vehicle.
· STOP SIGNS
Stop at any limit line or cross walk. Yield to all approaching vehicles on the thought street, go only when it is safe for you to cross. Approaching vehicles should slow down and allow you to get across safely.
· LEFT TURN
Signal left turn and yield to approaching traffic until it is completely safe to finish the turn.
· ROTONDA
Vehicles around the rotunda have the right-of-way over vehicles which are just about to enter. When entering a highway from a driveway, yield the right-of-way to traffic on the highway. Never insist on taking the right-of-way if other drivers are not following the rules, let then have the right-of-way even if it belongs to you to prevent possible accidents, however, do not always insist on others going ahead of you, the slowing and stopping may delay the flow of traffic.
PASSING
The law places the responsibility on the driver of the passing car. If the driver makes mistakes in passing, the driver is held liable.
Three important points to remember in passing:
1.) It is illegal to speed up when being passed. Continue at the same speed, or reduce your speed.
2.) Help other driver to pass safely. Move to the right side of your lane to give the other driver more room and a better view ahead.
3.) Show the passing driver the same courtesy that you would expect from other drivers.
WHEN NOT TO PASS - ESPECIALLY ON ROADS MARKED BY SIGNS
EXAMPLE :
1.) At no-passing zone marked by signs or by solid yellow line-lanes or double-solid yellow lines which indicate no passing.
2.) On blind-curves where you would not be able to see oncoming cars. Always stay in your own lane on any curve, out of the way of oncoming traffic.
3.) On going up a hill, passing is not allowed from 700 to 1,000 feet from the top of a hill.
4.) At intersection or railroad crossings-where other vehicles or pedestrians may suddenly appear or unless such intersection is controlled by traffic signal.
5.) Near a bridge or underpass that may cut-off a road, shoulder. You or the car passed might need to use the shoulder road in case emergency arises.
IN SOME INSTANCES WHERE PASSING IS NOT SAFE SUCH AS:
1.) When there is a long line of cars ahead.
2.) When you intend to turn or stop very soon.
3.) When an incoming car is too close.
4.) When the car ahead is going at or near the speed limit. Speed limit is still applied when passing.
5.) When sight distance ahead is limited.
6.) When the maneuver would have to be completed in a no-passing zone such as a hill, cure or intersection.
Passing on the right is permitted only -
- when overtaking another vehicle making or about to make a left turn or signaling intent to make a left turn.
- On streets and highways marked for multi-lanes and,
- On one-way traffic streets.
Railroad Grade Crossings
When approaching a railroad crossing you must stop within 50 feet to 15 feet if there is a posted STOP sign, the electric signal is flashing or the crossing gate is lowered. You also must stop if a flagperson issues a signal to stop or a train is approaching and/or gives a warning. If a railroad grade crossing has no warning devices, slow down, look and listen for a train before proceeding. Drivers violating these provisions are subject to a $500 fine or 50 hours of community service.
Vehicles that must stop at almost all railroad crossings are second division vehicles carrying people for hire, school buses, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials and identified by a sign required by federal or state government as defined by the Illinois Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. The driver must look and listen in both directions. To avoid stalling, a driver should not change gears while crossing the track.
Railroad crossings are marked with one or more of the following special warning devices:
ROUND RAILWAY WARNING SIGN: A yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR means a highway-railway crossing is ahead. The sign is placed 750 feet before the track.
PAVEMENT MARKINGS: In front of railroad crossings, the pavement may be marked with a large X and two R’s. A yellow line in advance of the crossing means no passing. White lines on each side of the track show motorists where to stop when a train is approaching.
RAILROAD CROSSBUCK SIGN: Most crossings have a railroad sign. If it has more than one track, the number of tracks is on the sign below the crossbuck.
FLASHING LIGHT SIGNALS: When lights begin to flash, you must always stop until it is safe to proceed.
GATES: When gates are being lowered the red flashing lights will warn you to stop. Remain stopped until the gates are raised and lights are no longer flashing.
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