South Meath Driving School

Road markings give information and warnings. Their advantage is that they can be seen when other signs are hidden from view and they can give a continuing message as a driver progresses. The earliest road markings were the simple continuous (or broken) white line on the centre of the road but now with much upgraded roads, dual carriageways and motorways, road markings have developed into a world of their own. The hatched area markings has become a very prominent feature of late and appear not to be understood by many motorists: or might it be a case of they simply ignoring them altogether? Hatch Markings indicate a dangerous area where it is necessary to separate the streams of traffic completely, such as at a sharp bend or where traffic is turning right and requires protection. Such areas are painted with white chevrons or diagonal white stripes.

Where the boundary line is solid do not enter except in an emergency. Where the boundary line is broken you should not drive on the markings, but, if it is safe to do so, one may enter such hatched area when turning right so that traffic intending to go straight ahead is not unduly delayed.

Locally, a good example of those markings is on the approach roads from Navan and the bypass from the Boyne to the traffic lights at Navangate. It is at those locations that flagrant disregard for safety can be regularly observed. For example, a driver approaching those traffic lights from the Navan direction indicates to turn right in the Athboy direction, but correctly stays in the single lane and left of the hatched area in the centre of the road: but just as he ‘ rounds’ the paintwork and into the turning lane, a looder trundles down through the whole hatched area as he (or indeed, she) is also turning right, narrowly missing the driver in front. That is nothing short of dangerous driving. Sadly it is happening by the hour with impunity. Traffic Corps members might take note and either educate or prosecute offenders. I see the likes of that driving as a call for the need of everyone taking compulsory driving lessons every three or four years, even with a full licence. Afterall, us driving instructors have a stringent instruction test every two years with a RSA examiner; Gay Byrne, start reading ‘Focus!’

The Yellow Box Junction is another distinctive road marking consisting of a pattern of criss-cross yellow lines. The simple rule states that you must not enter the box unless you can clear it without stopping. The exception is that you can enter the box and stop in it if you are turning right. The RSA ‘ Rules of the Road’ book states so but, I think, falls a little short on that rule as it is silent on the fact that a driver exiting from a minor road and turning left can also enter the yellow box and stop in it. Of course the reason one doesn’t enter the box unless it can be cleared when going straight on is that traffic crossing from left or right can proceed; and of course it’s a lot simpler and cheaper to paint a junction yellow than to erect sets of traffic lights.

Incidentally, us folk on Marcie’s Road are still waiting for a yellow box at the exit onto the bypass. During the last Local Elections a few firm handshakers promised that the junction would be looked at urgently – they’re still looking and I am waiting for them to come back when the next election approaches.

Cats Eyes are a prominent feature on most roads and are to be found on the centre or edge. They are especially helpful in fog or reduced visibility in that they reflect light to guide the motorist. The cat’s eye consists of four reflect lenses, two facing fore and two aft. It was invented by Percy Shaw in the 1930s.

The centre white line was first applied in the USA in 1911 in an effort to curb the high number of crashes especially on narrower roads despite the small number of cars then in use. In 1971 they switched to a yellow centre line.

There’s a vast array of other recognisable road markings, like rumble strips to slow traffic approaching a dangerous bend; hard shoulder defining the left edge of a traffic lane; cycle lanes with solid or broken white lines; zigzag lines indicating the approach to a pedestrian crossing; bus lanes have a solid white line on their outer limit.

Many motorists do not heed those road markings. If you are a seasoned driver with the benefit of a full driving licence, you may not be up to date with the vast array of recent road signs, road markings, motorway regulations etc. An idea is to purchase the RSA Rules of the Road book or read it on the internet. No, it isn’t going back to school: it makes interesting reading. I do harp on about it, but, the cost of losing your no claims bonus is damaging to the health, perhaps all for the lack of just a little knowledge. It pays dividends. Take heed.