What does the diamond-shaped dashed line on the road mean?
2 Answers
The diamond-shaped dashed line on the road is a longitudinal deceleration marking for vehicle lanes. Here are the specific details about the diamond-shaped dashed line on the road: 1. Location: Bridge approaches and turning sections. 2. Function: At the starting position of the longitudinal deceleration marking, a 30-meter transition section is set up. The diamond-shaped dashed line gradually widens from 10 cm to 30 cm. This is one of the new markings added in the latest national standard for road traffic markings (GB5768.2-2009). When vehicles pass through sections with longitudinal deceleration markings, drivers visually perceive the lane narrowing gradually, which heightens their attention and prompts them to actively reduce speed and proceed cautiously. This effectively prevents drivers from slamming on the brakes just before the stop line. Pedestrians on crosswalks can noticeably sense vehicles yielding, enhancing their sense of safety and reflecting a harmonious traffic environment between vehicles and pedestrians.
After driving for so many years, the common diamond-shaped dashed lines usually appear a certain distance before pedestrian crossings. They act like an early warning, telling you to prepare to slow down ahead. Typically, there are two sets of them—one about 50 meters from the crosswalk and another around 30 meters. When you see them, you should ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed. This reminder is especially useful on rainy days or at night when visibility is poor. I've seen many drivers fail to notice them and end up slamming on the brakes right before the crosswalk, which can easily lead to rear-end collisions or hitting pedestrians. The design of this marking is quite reasonable—when you see diamond patterns while driving, it’s time to switch to defensive driving mode.
