It’s hard to imagine life without the motor car now, but in the early days with few vehicles there was no organised traffic management, eventually this caused problems as the number of cars increased.

Despite trends towards a greener environment and the government encouraging more use of public transport the car is here to stay and its popularity is growing all the time.

Hence the need for a sophisticated traffic management system; of which Road Markings play a fundamental part!

Road Markings could be described as "The Book of the Road", while most road users use road markings subconsciously, unless in the Highways Industry, they provide vital information.

Road Markings have a proven record to significantly reduce the risk of road accidents, they are an essential ingredient in creating a safer road environment, providing a continuous stream of information ensuring efficient traffic flow and driver comfort.

Unlike vertical road signs, Road Markings can be clearly seen by all drivers and are not obscured by large vehicles. They are a flexible, low cost traffic management tool providing; good delineation and visibility by day through luminance and excellent visibility by night through retro-reflectivity.

More road traffic accidents occur between October and January than any other time of year, this is mainly due to the reduction in daylight hours and winter weather all of which affect our visibility.

At night visual clues within the drivers' environment are reduced therefore the chance of error is increased, retro-reflective road markings are critical in hours of darkness. (For more information on retro-reflectivity click here.)

Statistics show that "50% of all reported road traffic accidents at night occur in wet conditions. Yet in the UK it is wet only 10% of the night." To assist in reducing this statistic there are Road Marking Products available that give good retro-reflectivity in wet conditions, for those dark, wet winter nights.

Road studs are placed in conjunction with Road Markings in highly trafficked areas and on all motorways in the UK, to ensure an adequate view of the road.

Road Markings generally perform their functions visually, however since the introduction of edge of carriageway rumble strip in the late 1980’s, profiled markings have been used to delineate lane 1 and the hard shoulder on motorways in the UK. The raised ribs provide an audible signal and vibration when driven over, thus alerting the motorist they have run off the carriageway. This system has assisted in the prevention of accidents as well as creating cost savings from the prevention of damage to safety fences and other motorway furniture.

Road Markings Functions:

• Warn - Of potential hazards informing us when to slow down.
• Instruct - Informing the driver where to stop, where to turn, which carriageway to be in.
• Prohibit - Double yellow lines indicate no parking, box junctions, that traffic should keep the space clear; double continuous lines no overtaking.
• Segregate - Centre Lines separate carriageways, lane lines keep traffic apart, including buses and bicycles; ghost islands provide non trafficked refuges.
• Guide - Directional Arrows indicate best turning lane, letters can indicate where a road is leading to. At night edge lines are often the only indication of the carriageway.