What does the sawtooth lane on the highway represent?
2 Answers
The sawtooth lane on the highway is a longitudinal speed bump, also known as a deceleration marking. As the name suggests, the main purpose of this lane is to prompt drivers to slow down in advance. This type of lane is usually set up before bridges, toll plaza areas, exit ramps, curves, slopes, and other locations. Additionally, some accident-prone areas may also feature this type of lane. Additional information: 1. Purpose of the sawtooth lane: Due to its unique design, the sawtooth lane creates an illusion for drivers that the lane is narrowing, inducing a sense of pressure and prompting them to slow down automatically in advance. By slowing down early, the probability of accidents caused by sudden braking or inadequate avoidance is significantly reduced. 2. Classification of deceleration markings: Deceleration markings are divided into horizontal deceleration markings and longitudinal deceleration markings. Horizontal deceleration markings consist of a set of parallel white dashed lines, while longitudinal deceleration markings consist of a set of diamond-shaped dashed lines parallel to the lane boundary lines, starting at the beginning of the longitudinal deceleration markings.
When driving on the highway, I often see sawtooth lanes, which are variable lanes designed by traffic authorities. These lanes can temporarily adjust their direction to alleviate peak-hour congestion. For example, during morning and evening rush hours, lanes originally heading out of the city may be switched to inbound lanes, and vice versa. The sawtooth markings are actually a reminder to drivers that there is potential for changes here. As an experienced driver, I suggest staying alert when you see them—don’t assume they’re fixed. When driving through such areas on the highway, the key is to watch the LED signals above: a green light means you can proceed in the current direction, but if there’s a red X or the arrow changes direction, do not enter. Once, during heavy traffic, I wasn’t paying attention and almost drove into an oncoming lane, which was very dangerous. Remember to maintain a safe following distance to allow time to react to sudden changes. Sawtooth lanes are often placed near exits, entrances, or urban ring roads to improve road efficiency and reduce waiting times. Navigation apps usually provide warnings, so using them on long drives can enhance safety. In short, stay vigilant while driving—avoid lingering or overtaking in sawtooth sections.
