10.2 Pavement Markings, Bicycle & Bus Lanes, Crosswalks, Islands & Crossing Guards
Key Takeaways
White lane lines in Massachusetts separate traffic moving in the same direction, and yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Massachusetts drivers may not cross a double solid white line, and may cross double solid yellow lines only to turn left when it is safe.
Where a broken yellow line runs beside a solid one, Massachusetts drivers on the broken side may cross to pass when safe; drivers on the solid side may not cross.
Massachusetts bicycle lanes are five feet wide, and motor vehicles may enter them only when turning on or off the road.
Red pavement in Massachusetts marks transit lanes and stops; green pavement marks areas of motor vehicle and bicycle conflict, and drivers should not stop on it at a red light.
Markings painted on the roadway, such as lines, symbols and words, direct and control traffic, and you must obey them. Lines may be solid or broken (long dashes), single or double. A solid line that turns into a dotted line (short dashes) continues the line through an intersection or interchange. Unless you are turning, exiting or changing lanes, always stay between the lane lines.
White Lane Lines (Same Direction)
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Broken white | Separates lanes going the same direction. After signaling, you may cross it to change lanes when safe |
| Solid white | Marks the right edge of the road, or separates same-direction lanes, including bicycle lanes. You may travel on both sides (except on the shoulder), but don't cross it unless you must to avoid danger |
| Double solid white | Separates two same-direction lanes; crossing it is not allowed |
Yellow Lane Lines (Opposite Directions)
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A single yellow line may also mark the left edge of the pavement on divided highways and one-way streets.
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Broken yellow | Stay right of it except when passing; you may cross temporarily to pass when safe |
| Solid yellow beside broken yellow | Solid on your side: you may not cross. Broken on your side: you may cross only to pass when safe |
| Double solid yellow | No crossing to pass. You may cross only to turn left when safe |
Note
The Vulnerable Road Users law also lets you cross the center line when necessary to give a cyclist or pedestrian four feet, as long as it is safe (section 6.1).
Words and Symbols
Words or symbols on the pavement guide, warn or regulate, often together with signs and signals.
- White arrows show lane directions or restrictions.
- A white diamond marks a special lane restriction, such as HOV only or bus only. The Manual's diagram shows the far-left lane of a three-lane road reserved for HOVs such as carpools and buses.
Bicycle markings
| Marking | Meaning for drivers |
|---|---|
| Shared Lane Marking ("sharrow") | Helps cyclists position themselves correctly in a lane shared with cars, away from opening doors and narrow squeezes. Watch for cyclists and leave room when passing. Sharrows are not bike lane symbols |
| Bicycle lane | Typically marked by solid white lines, symbols and signs; five feet wide. Motor vehicles may enter only when turning on or off the road, after looking carefully and crossing with care |
| Advisory bicycle lane | Dashed on one or both sides, on streets too narrow for a full bike lane. Vehicles may use the space when necessary but must always yield to cyclists first |
| Green pavement | Marks areas of car-bicycle conflict. Look for cyclists before crossing it, and don't stop on it at a red light |
Bus lanes
Red pavement marks travel lanes or station stops for public transit: buses, streetcars, trolleys, light rail and rapid transit.
Stop Lines, Yield Lines and Crosswalks
- A stop line is a solid white line across the lane at a stop sign or signal.
- A yield line is a row of painted triangles ("shark's teeth") at a yield sign.
- A crosswalk is a pair of white lines, or other distinctive markings or materials, guiding pedestrians across. It may have diagonal or vertical lines between the main lines. Crosswalks are often at intersections, but also at bus stops, schools, trail crossings, business districts and busy pedestrian areas.
You must stop behind the stop line, yield line or crosswalk line when a stop or yield sign, a signal or a pedestrian in the crosswalk requires it.
Channelizing Islands
A channelizing island is a traffic island or pavement marking that guides traffic along certain paths and keeps vehicles off parts of the road. You may not drive over or park on a channelizing island unless a police officer directs you to.
Crossing Guards
Several Massachusetts crossing guards have been killed or injured by vehicles in recent years. Crossing guards depend on drivers to see and obey them. Be ready to stop when you see:
- crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signs, whether painted on the road or standing in the middle or at the side of it;
- reflective vests, the brightly colored, highly visible clothing guards wear;
- stop paddles, the hand-held stop signs guards raise as they step into the street.
Marking Scenarios for Practice
| Scenario | Correct action |
|---|---|
| Solid yellow on your side, broken on the other; slow tractor ahead | Don't pass. The solid line is on your side |
| Turning left into a driveway across a double solid yellow | Allowed when safe; yield to oncoming traffic |
| Turning right across a bike lane | Look for cyclists, merge into the lane only to turn, and yield |
| Red light, green box painted ahead of the stop line | Stop behind the green area |
| Raised paddle at a school crosswalk | Stop and stay stopped until the guard clears the road |
Tip
Learn the markings by color logic. White separates same-direction traffic; yellow separates opposite directions. Broken lines can be crossed; solid lines say don't cross. A double solid line means no crossing in either case, except a left turn across a double yellow.
A two-lane road has a solid yellow line on your side of the center and a broken yellow line on the other side. May you cross to pass?
Yes, but only to pass bicycles and mopeds
Yes, as long as you can see 400 feet ahead
Yes, as long as you return before oncoming traffic is 100 feet away
No, because the solid line is closer to you
When may a motor vehicle drive in a marked bicycle lane?
Whenever the bicycle lane is empty for at least one block
Only when turning on or off the road, after looking carefully for bicyclists
To pass a slow vehicle on the right in heavy traffic
When traffic in the general lane is moving below 10 mph
What does a channelizing island mean for drivers?
It marks a temporary bus stop where cars may load passengers
No one may drive over or park on it unless a police officer directs them to
It is advisory only; drivers may cross it when no traffic is present
Vehicles may cross it when turning right on red
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.