2.4 Road Markings, Lanes & Special Traffic Zones
Key Takeaways
Center lines separate opposing traffic flows; broken lines (suuntaisviiva 3:1 gap ratio) permit overtaking when safe, whereas continuous white lines (sulkuviiva) strictly prohibit crossing or straddling.
Combination lines consist of a continuous line alongside a broken line; drivers are legally governed strictly by the line immediately adjacent to their lane.
Transverse stop lines (pysäytysviiva) require a complete stop before the line, while give-way lines (väistämisvelvollisuusviiva shark-teeth triangles) mark the yield point.
Zebra pedestrian crossing stripes (suojatiemerkintä) require drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing or stepping onto the stripes and strictly prohibit passing any vehicle stopped before a crossing.
Lane selection arrows (kaistanuolet) dictate mandatory lane choices at upcoming intersections and prohibit lane changing across continuous white lines.
2.4 Road Markings, Lanes & Special Traffic Zones
Quick Summary: Road markings (tiemerkinnät) apply paints, resins, and retroreflective materials directly to pavement surfaces to delineate lanes, define right-of-way boundaries, and restrict vehicle positioning under Road Traffic Act 729/2018. Road markings are divided into Longitudinal Markings (pituussuuntaiset merkinnät), Transverse Markings (poikittaismerkinnät), and Special Surface Symbols (muut merkinnät).
Center Lines & Longitudinal Markings (Pituussuuntaiset merkinnät)
Longitudinal road markings run parallel to the direction of traffic flow, separating opposing traffic streams or organizing multi-lane travel directions.
Broken Center Line (Suuntaisviiva)
A broken white center line (suuntaisviiva) separates lanes carrying traffic in opposite directions or adjacent lanes in the same direction.
- Dimensions: In urban built-up areas, the standard stroke-to-gap ratio is 1:3 (e.g., 1-meter painted dash followed by a 3-meter unpainted gap). On rural highways, the stroke length increases to 3 meters with a 9-meter gap.
- Legal Meaning: Crossing a broken line is permitted for overtaking (ohittaminen), turning left, or avoiding roadside obstacles, provided the maneuver can be executed without endangering other traffic.
Continuous White Line (Sulkuviiva)
A continuous solid white line (sulkuviiva) indicates a strict legal prohibition.
- Prohibition Rule: Motor vehicles must not cross or straddle a continuous white line, nor drive to the left side of a continuous line separating opposing traffic directions.
- Lane Boundary Application: Solid white lines are painted approaching intersections, pedestrian crossings, blind crests, and sharp curves to eliminate dangerous lane changes and head-on overtaking collisions.
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| LONGITUDINAL ROAD MARKINGS |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Line Type | Visual Pattern | Legal Crossing Rule |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Broken Line | --- --- --- | Crossing PERMITTED when safe |
| (Suuntaisviiva) | | |
| Continuous Line | _____________________ | Crossing STRICTLY PROHIBITED |
| (Sulkuviiva) | | |
| Combination Line | _________ | Crossing permitted ONLY IF broken |
| (Yhdistelmäviiva) | --- --- --- | line is on YOUR side of lane |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------------------+
Combination Line (Yhdistelmäviiva)
A combination line features a solid continuous line running parallel immediately alongside a broken line.
- Rule of Proximity: A driver is legally bound only by the line closest to their lane.
- If the broken line is on your side, you may cross the combination line to overtake or turn left, and return across it.
- If the solid line is on your side, you are strictly prohibited from crossing or straddling the line, even if overtaking a slow vehicle.
Transverse Markings: Stop Lines & Give-Way Triangles (Poikittaismerkinnät)
Transverse markings run across driving lanes, indicating precise positions where vehicles must stop or yield.
Stop Line (Pysäytysviiva)
A Stop Line (pysäytysviiva) is a solid, wide white line painted transversely across a travel lane. It accompanies a Stop Sign (Sign B6) or a traffic light signal.
- Vehicles must come to a complete standstill immediately behind the stop line before proceeding.
Give-Way Line (Väistämisvelvollisuusviiva)
A Give-Way Line (väistämisvelvollisuusviiva) consists of a row of small, white painted triangles ("shark's teeth") extending across a lane, pointing toward approaching traffic. It accompanies a Give Way Sign (Sign B5).
- Indicates the exact position where a driver must yield right-of-way to intersecting traffic when required.
Transverse Stop Line Give-Way Shark's Teeth Line
=========================== v v v v v v v v
(Solid transverse line) (Row of small white triangles)
Must come to COMPLETE STOP Yield point when subject to
at Stop sign or Red light Sign B5 (Give Way)
Pedestrian Crossings & Bus Stop Markings
Pedestrian Zebra Stripes (Suojatiemerkintä)
Pedestrian crossings are marked on the road surface by broad white longitudinal stripes running parallel to traffic flow. Passing Sign E1 accompanies these surface markings.
- Duty to Yield: Drivers must yield to pedestrians on or stepping onto the crossing.
- Critical Passing Rule (Suojatiesääntö): If a vehicle in an adjacent lane has stopped before a pedestrian crossing, an approaching driver must stop before the crossing before proceeding, unless separated by a physical refuge island or controlled by traffic signals.
Bus Stop Yellow Zig-Zag Markings (Bussipysäkin keltaiset merkinnät)
Yellow zig-zag lines or yellow text reading "BUS" painted on the pavement designate public transport bus stops (bussipysäkki).
- Stopping or parking any non-bus vehicle on yellow bus stop markings is strictly prohibited, except for momentary stops to pick up or drop off passengers, provided no bus is obstructed.
Lane Selection Arrows & Hatch Markings (Kaistanuolet ja muut merkinnät)
Lane Arrows (Kaistanuolet)
White lane arrows painted in driving lanes approaching intersections mandate pre-selection of lane directions (straight, left-turn, or right-turn).
- Once a driver enters a lane delineated by solid white lines (sulkuviiva), they must follow the direction of the lane arrow and are prohibited from changing lanes.
Hatch Buffer Markings (Kieltoalue / Raitamaalaus)
Slanted parallel white stripes bounded by a solid line mark neutral buffer zones (kieltoalue).
- Driving, stopping, turning, or parking on hatched buffer zones is strictly prohibited under all circumstances.
What are the legal rules governing a Combination Line (a solid line parallel to a broken line) separating opposing traffic lanes?
Neither direction may cross the line under any circumstances.
Drivers may cross the line only if the broken line is on their side of the road.
Drivers may cross the line only if the solid line is on their side of the road.
Overtaking is permitted for both directions regardless of which line is closer.
What does a row of small white painted triangles ("shark's teeth") across a driving lane (Väistämisvelvollisuusviiva) indicate?
A mandatory complete stop point regardless of traffic.
A designated parking zone for passenger vehicles.
The line where vehicles must yield right-of-way when required by Sign B5 (Give Way).
The boundary of an impending motorway acceleration lane.
Under Finnish traffic law, what is the mandatory rule when approaching a pedestrian crossing where another vehicle has stopped in an adjacent lane?
You may proceed at normal speed after sounding your horn.
You must slow down to 20 km/h but do not need to stop.
You must change lanes immediately to avoid colliding with the stopped vehicle.
You must stop your vehicle before the crossing before proceeding, unless there is a physical traffic island between lanes.
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