What is the meaning of the double white dashed lines at the front of an intersection?
2 Answers
The double white dashed lines at the front of an intersection are yield lines. Yield lines indicate that vehicles should slow down and yield to vehicles on the main road at this intersection. When approaching an intersection marked with yield lines, drivers must slow down or stop to observe the traffic conditions on the main road. Yield lines are typically placed 100cm to 300cm away from pedestrian crosswalks or at intersections with good visibility on minor roads, to alert drivers to slow down and yield to vehicles on the main road. Yield lines are usually used in conjunction with yield signs. White dashed lines and white solid lines: White dashed lines are the most common type of road marking. When marked on road sections, they are used to separate traffic moving in the same direction or as a guide for safe driving distances. At intersections, they guide vehicle movement. White solid lines, when marked on road sections, separate motor vehicles from non-motor vehicles moving in the same direction or indicate the edge of a lane. At intersections, they can serve as guide lane lines or stop lines. Yellow dashed lines: When marked on road sections, they separate opposing traffic flows. When marked on the roadside or curbs, they prohibit long-term parking. Yellow solid lines: When marked on road sections, they separate opposing traffic flows. When marked on the roadside or curbs, they prohibit both long-term and temporary parking. Double white dashed lines: At intersections, they serve as yield lines. On road sections, they indicate variable-direction lanes that change over time. Double white solid lines: At intersections, they serve as stop lines. Yellow solid and dashed lines: When marked on road sections, they separate opposing traffic flows. Vehicles are prohibited from overtaking, crossing, or turning on the side with the yellow solid line, while overtaking, crossing, or turning is permitted on the side with the yellow dashed line, provided it is safe. Double yellow solid lines: When marked on road sections, they separate opposing traffic flows.
When I see those double white dashed lines at the front of intersections on the road, I consider them as position markers reminding drivers to stop, meaning vehicles should halt before the intersection and wait, avoiding crossing the line to prevent blocking traffic from other directions. Especially when driving in the city during rush hours with heavy traffic and crowded roads, failing to comply can easily lead to scratches or congestion. I once saw a novice driver who didn’t stop behind the line, causing the entire road to come to a standstill, and ended up getting a ticket from the traffic police. It’s also different from double yellow lines: double yellow lines are solid lines that must not be crossed, while double white dashed lines are signals allowing U-turns but marking mandatory stopping points. In rainy weather when the road is slippery, stopping behind the dashed lines can reduce the risk of accidents. Remembering this small detail is quite important for developing safe driving habits and avoiding unnecessary trouble.
