CONVENTION ON ROAD SIGNS AND SIGNALS

The Contracting Parties, recognizing that international uniformity of road signs, signals and symbols and of road markings is necessary in order to facilitate international road traffic and to increase road safety, have agreed upon the following provisions:

Chapter IV

ROAD MARKINGS

ARTICLE 25

Carriageway markings (road markings) shall be used, when the competent authority considers it necessary, to regulate traffic or to warn or guide road-users. They may be used either alone or in conjunction with other signs or signals to emphasize or clarify their meaning.

ARTICLE 26

1. A longitudinal marking consisting of a continuous line on the carriageway shall mean that vehicles are not permitted to cross or straddle that line and, when the line separates the two directions of traffic, that vehicles are not permitted to travel on that side of the line which, for the driver, is opposite to the edge of the carriageway appropriate to the direction of traffic. A longitudinal marking consisting of two continuous lines shall have the same meaning.

2. (a) A longitudinal marking consisting of a broken line on the carriageway shall not have a prohibitory meaning, but shall be used either:

(i) To demarcate lanes for the purpose of guiding traffic; or

(ii) To give warning of the approach to a continuous line and the prohibition that line conveys, or of the approach to another section of road presenting a particular danger.

(b) The ratio between the length of the gaps between the strokes and the length of the strokes shall be substantially smaller where broken lines are used for the purposes referred to in sub-paragraph (a)(ii) of this paragraph than where they are used for the purpose referred to in sub-paragraph (a)(i) thereto.

(c) Double broken lines may be used to delineate a lane or lanes in which the direction of the traffic flow may be reversed in conformity with Article 23, paragraph 11, of this Convention.

3. Where a longitudinal marking consists of a continuous line adjacent to a broken line on the carriageway, drivers shall take account only of the line that appears on their side. This provision shall not prevent drivers who have overtaken in the manner permitted from resuming their normal position on the carriageway.

4. For the purposes of this article, longitudinal lines used to mark the edges of the carriageway in order to make them more visible, longitudinal lines connected to transverse lines used to demarcate parking spaces on the carriageway, and longitudinal lines showing a prohibition or restrictions on standing or parking shall not be regarded as longitudinal markings.

ARTICLE 26-bis

1. The marking of lanes reserved for certain categories of vehicle shall be by means of lines which should be clearly distinguished from other continuous or broken lines on the carriageway, notably by being wider and with less space between strokes.

2. When a lane is reserved for regular public transport service vehicles the worded road marking shall be the word "BUS" or the letter "A". The sign indicating such a line shall be of the square type described in annex 1, section E, or of the round type described in annex 1, section D, of the present Convention, showing the white symbol of a bus on a blue ground. Diagrams 28a and 28b shown in annex 2 to this Convention are examples of markings for a lane reserved for regular public transport service vehicles.

3. Domestic legislation shall specify under what conditions other vehicles may use or go across the lane referred to in paragraph 1.

ARTICLE 27

1. A transverse marking consisting of a continuous line across one or more traffic lanes shall mark the line behind which drivers are required by the sign B, 2, "STOP", referred to in Article 10, paragraph 3, of this Convention, to stop. Such a marking may also be used to show the line behind which drivers may be required to stop by a light signal, or by a signal given by an authorized official directing traffic, or before a level-crossing. The world "STOP" may be marked on the carriageway in advance of the markings accompanying sign B, 2.

2. Unless this is technically impossible, the transverse marking described in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be placed on the carriageway wherever a sign B, 2, is set up.

3. A transverse marking consisting of a broken line across one or more traffic lanes shall show the line which vehicles may not normally pass when giving way in compliance with the sign B, 1 "GIVE WAY", referred to in Article 10, paragraph 2, of this Convention. In advance of such a marking, a triangle with broad sides, having one side parallel to the marking and the opposite vertex pointing towards approaching vehicles, may be marked on the carriageway to symbolize sign B, 1.

4. To mark pedestrian crossings, relatively broad stripes, parallel to the axis of the carriageway, should preferably be used.

5. To mark cyclist crossings, either transverse lines, or other markings which cannot be confused with those of pedestrian crossings, shall be used.

ARTICLE 28

1. Other markings on the carriageway, such as arrows, parallel or oblique stripes, or inscriptions, may be used to repeat the instructions given by signs or to give road-users information which cannot be suitably conveyed by signs. Such markings shall be used, in particular, to show the boundaries of parking zones or strips, to mark bus or trolleybus stops where parking is prohibited, and for pre-selection before intersections. However, if there is an arrow on the carriageway where it is divided into traffic lanes by means of longitudinal markings, drivers shall follow the direction or one of the directions indicated in the lane along which they are travelling.

2. Subject to the provisions of Article 27, paragraph 4 of this Convention which relate to pedestrian crossings, the marking of part of the carriageway or of an area raised slightly above the level of the carriageway by parallel oblique stripes framed by a continuous line, or by broken lines, shall, in the case of areas framed by a continuous line, mean that vehicles must not enter that area, and in the case of areas framed by broken lines, that vehicles shall not enter that area unless it can be seen that it is safe to do so or in order to turn into a joining road on the opposite side of the carriageway.

3. A zigzag line at the side of the carriageway shall mean that parking on that side of the carriageway is prohibited as far as the line extends. Such line possibly together with the word "BUS" or with the letter "A" may be used to indicate a bus or trolleybus stop.

ARTICLE 29

1. The road markings mentioned in Articles 26 and 28 of this Convention may be painted on the carriageway or applied in any other way provided that it is equally effective.

2. If road markings are painted, they shall be yellow or white; however, blue may be used for markings showing places where parking is permitted or restricted. When both yellow and white are used in the territory of a Contracting Party, markings of the same class shall be of the same colour. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "white" shall include shades of silver or light grey.

3. In tracing out the inscriptions, symbols and arrows of road markings, account shall be taken of the need to elongate them considerably in the direction of movement of traffic, because of the very narrow angle at which they are seen by drivers.

4. It is recommended that road markings intended for moving vehicles should be reflectorized if the density of traffic so requires and if lighting is poor or there is no lighting.

ARTICLE 30

Annex 2 to this Convention is a set of recommendations relating to the layout and design of road markings.