Ask Trooper Steve: Hashed markings and turn lanes

Trooper Steve answers viewer questions

ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.

Trooper Steve on Tuesday was asked, “Are drivers required to move over using the hashed line portion instead of the solid line when making a left turn?”

James is referring to the markings on roadways.

“If you recall, we recently dedicated a Trooper Steve On Patrol segment to defining what each marking means,” Trooper Steve said. “From yellow solid, white solid, and even the no-passing zones, everything has a meaning.”

This would apply whether it was a left turn or a right turn.

“A solid white line indicates the separation between travel lines, and a driver should not cross over these lines, unless a hazard has presented itself,” Trooper Steve said. “The hashed markings in a roadway indicate an area where a vehicle can travel through, but also separates designated travel lanes.”

In the video above, you will see a brief hashed area where a driver should enter into their left turning lane. After the hash marking, it turns into a solid white line.

“The hash marking is for a driver to be aware that this is where you should enter into this turning lane,” Trooper Steve said. “Proceeding beyond that, you are now forcing your way into what might be already stopped traffic.”

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