What is the solid white line inside the circle?
2 Answers
The solid white line inside the circle is a lane line with fixed directional arrows, also known as a guide lane line. It is set as the lane dividing line at the entrance section of an intersection. Vehicles in this lane should drive according to the direction indicated by the lane direction signs. Those with a fixed driving direction are guide lane lines; those that can change the driving direction according to traffic lights or road signs are variable guide lane lines. The function of the guide lane line: The solid white line inside the circle is a variable guide lane line, mainly designed for sections where traffic is concentrated during peak hours but lanes are insufficient, or where there is a significant difference in traffic flow between morning and evening peak hours. When encountering such a lane, just follow the instructions of the variable lane. There are time restrictions, and the direction of travel cannot be chosen arbitrarily at any time. The variable lane is the lane between the jagged solid white lines; variable guide lanes offer flexibility, unlike ordinary lane indication lines. In ordinary lanes, once you enter the lane, straight means straight, and left turn means left turn. Generally, such lanes are set up in sections with relatively complex traffic.
My driving experience tells me that the solid white lines in the circle mainly refer to the lane dividers in traffic roundabouts, which are used to tell drivers not to change lanes or cross them casually. When driving on a roundabout, these lines help maintain one-way traffic and avoid collisions. Experienced drivers know that ignoring these lines can be very dangerous—I've seen someone almost rear-end another car after crossing the line. Additionally, these lines are designed in white to be highly visible day and night, making them easy to recognize. If beginners don't understand, they can practice more in driving simulation software or during instructor explanations until they become familiar and can safely navigate complex intersections. In short, respecting these lines reduces the risk of tickets and accidents, and developing good driving habits is essential for daily driving.