Latest news with #roadmarkings
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussie drivers warned to obey neglected road markings or risk $544 fines
Drivers are being warned about a set of eye-catching road markings that serve an important purpose on the road, which some Australians say "most don't seem to care about". Across the country, there are various road markings in place that play an important role in keeping both drivers and pedestrians safe. In New South Wales, transport authorities warned this week of zigzag markings. They're widespread across the state, and in fact the country, but their purpose is often forgotten or neglected. "The line might be a zigzag, but what you need to do when you come across one is pretty straightforward," NSW Road Safety said online. And while the style of zigzag and placement may vary slightly from state to state in Australia, the overall function does not — they serve as a visual warning to slow down near a crossing. "They're essentially a warning, letting you know that you're about to approach a pedestrian crossing," Transport for NSW said in a similar alert shared this week. Between the two posts, several hundred people responded. "These should be everywhere," one of the responders said. "Sadly, most motorists don't care," said another. "This is the sort of thing that needs to be standardised throughout the country," a third weighed in. "All this time I've been weaving back and forth along them, trying to keep my car centred on the line," joked a fourth. What penalties are in place in NSW for failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing? Across the country, there are steep fines and penalties in place for offenders caught disobeying these road markings. In NSW, for example, offending motorists can expect to cop a fine of $544 and three demerit points if they do not slow down and stop at a pedestrian crossing. Elsewhere in the country, another set of markings recently emerged in the south, raising eyebrows. Known as 'dragon's teeth', the road markings aim to alert drivers to a change in the road, such as a reduction in the speed limit. ⚠️ Major road rule change from this week with drivers facing $1,600 fines 🐉 Why 'dragon teeth' are appearing on roads 🛑 Meaning behind little-known roadside marker popping up 'a lot' They are being trialled in Adelaide as part of a study led by the University of Adelaide's Automotive Safety Research, alongside the Department of Transport. Making them appear 3D, the triangular blue and white markings may "attract more attention" from drivers and encourage them to slow down as they enter a lower-speed zone, leading road safety scientist at the University of Adelaide, Mario Mongiardini, earlier told Yahoo News. For travellers exploring between states, it's not unusual to come across a road sign or marking that is unfamiliar, especially as different regions tend to have their own versions. For one Aussie explorer, it was a roadside marker in Western Australia that left them scratching their head. Posting a photo to Facebook of a black and white striped reflector pole back in May, the woman said she was travelling through the Nullarbor and had seen "a lot" of them, but was unsure of their meaning. The photo attracted all sorts of answers. But the true reason lay underneath the road. Posts with diagonal black stripes on a white reflective background are used to signal that a low culvert — a drainage structure, typically a pipe or box, designed to pass water under a road — is nearby, a spokesperson for Main Roads Western Australia confirmed to Yahoo. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Council responds to bizarre scene on Aussie road: 'How could this go so wrong?'
A city council has responded to confusion over a wayward and "wild" set of road markings leading up to a busy intersection, after photos showed white lines strewn haphazardly and horizontally across the road, rather than running parallel with the side of the road as intended. Perth residents were left scratching their heads this week at seeing the markings, photographed on Hutton Street in Osborne Park — an area currently undergoing maintenance. "How could this go so wrong?" a local motorist posted to social media. Responding, another resident added, "I saw this today and was like, WTF". "It's signalling that cars must drift through this bend," one person joked, while another said; "It's like the road got stitches". Yahoo News asked the City of Stirling Council for a please explain over the strange-looking markings, and a spokesperson revealed there's quite a simple explanation for the mishap. "The lane markings on that stretch of Hutton Street are temporary markings installed by the City's contractor as an interim measure while the road is resurfaced," the council explained. "The temporary markings were installed correctly, but a combination of wet weather and vehicles changing lanes can cause them to move." The spokesperson told Yahoo that new temporary markings had been reinstated this week to address the problem. "Road resurfacing is expected to be completed this month. Once that work is complete, Main Roads WA will install permanent line markings," they said. Across Australia, it's been an unusual week for road marking-related snafus. In Sydney, a major council in the city's southwest was forced to remove a now-infamous diamond-shaped roundabout, which left local drivers confused and made national headlines. Aussie council removes bizarre roundabout after backlash from drivers Residents erupt after incident at controversial roundabout New Aussie road markings aimed at giving drivers a 'sense of warning' Baffled motorists were mystified over how to use it, with many opting to ignore the lines and drive straight over it. Footage captured by Yahoo showed several motorists driving right through the diamond-shaped roundabout, including a large truck and several SUVs. A local councillor branded the design "embarrassing" and over the weekend, it was eventually painted over. Council said it would install a regular, circular-shaped roundabout in its place, but before they could, and in the absence of any roundabout at all, an accident occurred on Monday. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Bizarre squiggly road markings leave drivers baffled – would YOU know what they mean?
BIZARRE squiggly road marking have left residents baffled and wreaked havoc for drivers. But following widespread criticism, the local council has decided to take action. 2 The unique wiggly road markings in Clevedon, Somerset, have now been removed following a fierce backlash. After review, the traffic scheme has been scrapped with the wobbly lines removed and the original parking reinstated. The work to remove the road markings started in February and was completed at the weekend at a total cost of £500,000. It is thought that over £1 million was spent on previously installing the lines. In addition to the sea-facing parking being re-introduced, a mini-roundabout, pedestrian crossing and new loading bays have also been created. 2 The seafront will remain a one-way system and the two-way cycle path has made way for a contra-flow lane. Overall, the works took 13 weeks to complete and the whole scheme including its removal has cost the taxpayer nearly £1.5 million. North Somerset Council installed the wavy lines, cycle lane and one-way system along Beach Road in 2022. This was in an effort to slow drivers and deter people from roadside parking there. But the markings sparked confusion and anger amongst residents who could no longer park their motors on the seafront overlooking the Bristol Channel. At the time, one local reckoned the markings resembled a "lane for drink-drivers." Another insisted that "the road layout is a hot mess." It was also described as "Balamory from hell for a motorcycle" by a third resident. The RAC previously dubbed the markings as one of the most "bizarre" schemes it had seen. MP Liam Fox also hit out at the "shambles" and called for the scheme to be axed. The scheme even prompted protests amid widespread media ridicule. At the time, a council spokesman said: "The lines are a design feature to reduce the potential abuse of parking at these locations and help make the road feel narrower, which is a technique used to slow traffic speeds. 'In this case, the area is adjacent to the sailing club entrance so needs to be kept clear. 'A wavy line provides uncertainty to the driver and is proven to help reduce unwanted parking.' North Somerset Council has been approached for comment.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Clevedon's 'bizarre' wiggle road markings removed amid £1.5m cost
Work to remove wiggly road markings that sparked controversy in a seaside town has been Somerset Council caused outrage in Clevedon when it introduced the changes, which included the removal of sea-facing parking, along the waterfront in 2022. RAC previously described the lines as one of the "most bizarre" road schemes it had originally cost about £1m and a further £425,000 was spent on the reversal, but the council said the move was "in line with significant public feedback" from businesses and residents. Councillor Hannah Young, cabinet member for highways, said: "We have listened to the local community and reinstated sea-facing parking." Work to remove the markings started in February and also included creating new loading bays, a single contraflow cycle path, a mini roundabout, a pedestrian crossings and vehicular access to the promenade for boats and ice cream vans. New planters will be added to the area and the community will be consulted on the plans. Councillor Young added: "We would like to thank everyone for their patience and encourage all residents and visitors to come and support the seafront businesses that have been affected as you enjoy the new configuration."
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Britain's daftest road markings are finally removed after council spent £1.5m on wiggly lines that left drivers and cyclists baffled
Britain's 'most bonkers' wiggly road markings - which wreaked havoc on drivers and cyclists and sparked widespread protests - have finally been removed in a humiliating blow to the council who wasted £1.5million of taxpayers' cash on them. The notorious road markings, dubbed the 'yellow brick road', were met with a wave of criticism and confusion when first laid down on the Georgian seafront at Clevedon, north Somerset, in 2022. The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million. North Somerset council said the lines helped make the road feel narrower, which would help reduce the speed of motorists. But the new seafront layout sparked derision and anger among locals and visitors who could no longer park their vehicles facing towards the sea to enjoy the stunning views across the Bristol Channel. The traffic scheme - described by the RAC as one of the 'most bizarre' it has ever seen - was reviewed and the decision made to reinstate the original parking and remove the wobbly lines. The work, which took 13 weeks to complete and cost a further £500,000, was finally completed at the weekend. The works re-introduced sea facing parking, removed the two-way cycle path, the yellow brick road, the wavy line and made way for a mini-roundabout. North Somerset council said the works would 'improve' pedestrian crossing points. Resident Cathy Hawkins who set up the campaign group 'Save our Seafront' said the scheme was a 'disaster' and a 'complete waste of money'. Cathy, who claims the scheme cost £2million, said: 'They made themselves a laughing stock in the country. 'I don't think it is much better than it was before and it is a complete waste of £2million. 'It is still one way and it still causes real traffic issues - I'm not particularly happy that it is not in the initial way but it's better than it was. ' She claimed her campaign group 'begged' the council to refuse going ahead with the project. Ms Hawkins added: 'This is the outcome of not listening to their residents. 'They refused to speak to us and they went ahead. 'It was a ridiculous scheme that was dangerous. People could open their doors onto the cycle lane which meant people could get knocked down their bikes. 'There were massive issues reported - it was an awful design in the first place. The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million The wiggly lines are being removed in Clevedon, Somerset, following the outrage 'They need to do what the residents wants not what the council wants. 'They are putting these schemes all over the country. This has got to stop - councilors are not there to force things onto people. People are fed up with it.' The initial plans were originally met with heavy criticism from local residents - who even staged a 'conga line' protest in fancy dress amidst widespread media ridicule of the project.
