Zig zag road markings… what are they? When were they introduced to Britain’s roads? Book Theory Test Today straightens out zig zag road markings.
Book Theory Test Today says: “No, zig zag road markings are not a practical joke being played by Britain’s road painters; they serve a very practical purpose.â€
What’s the point of zig zag road markings?
Whether you come across yellow or white zig zag lines during your driving lessons, your theory test or your practical driving test, you need to know what they’re there for. They are there to tell you, the motorist, that stopping or parking in an area marked with zig zag lines is strictly prohibited.
Why? Well, you’ll often find zig zag road marking located outside schools, police, ambulance, fire service and hospital entrances in order to prevent the general public causing an obstruction with their vehicles.
However, where zig zag lines are present, there must also be a sign in place otherwise the lines are actually not legally enforceable, except if the lines are located near traffic lights or at a zebra crossing. In these instances a sign is not required.
The introduction of zig zag road markings  Â
White zig zag lines were first painted on Britain’s roads either side of zebra crossings in 1971. By the 1980s, they had been introduced to Pelican crossings.
More on white zig zag lines
The white zig zag road markings indicate a ‘dual enforcement restriction’, which allows your council to issue tickets to vehicles parked on them. Likewise, the Police can also issue tickets to those vehicles parked in contravention. However, if a ticket is issued by the Police, penalty points can also be issued. Simply put, you cannot park on these lines at any time.
Yellow zig zag lines
You’ll find yellow zig zag road markings positioned outside school entrances, hospitals, police, ambulance and fire stations. They inform motorists that the area marked must remain clear of parked and waiting vehicles.
These lines are particularly vital to schools because they provide school children with an unimpeded view of the road because vehicles are prohibited from parking in zones marked with the yellow zig zag lines.
What happens if you park on zig zag road markings?
Book Theory Test Today says: “It’s one of the no-no’s of motoring. For yellow zig zag road markings with a sign in place you could be hit with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) by your local council, but this is enforced as a civil matter not a criminal one.â€
You are permitted to park on yellow zig zag lines outside of the hours specified on the sign. If there’s no sign in place you will escape any action because no sign means they cannot be legally enforced.
Parking on white zig zag lines is a different matter. You will be hit with a £70 fine, but you can reduce this by 50% if you pay within the timeframe outlined on the ticket. White zig zag lines are in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. There’s no exception for parking on them, so be warned.
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