Driver safety concern over faded road markings

The RAC has raised safety concerns on the back of new research showing a fifth of drivers (21%) claim most road markings in their local areas have faded away.

The research, carried out for the RAC Driver Opinion Panel, sampled the views of 1,693 respondents. It also found that 71% said some road markings in their local areas have faded away.

When asked whether they believe faded road markings are a recent problem, nearly three-quarters of those questioned (72%) said the issue has worsened in the last five years. Concerningly, 92% believe it’s made driving more dangerous.

The most frequently cited markings that have disappeared are arguably some of the most important of all – the lines at the centre of carriageways that separate lanes of traffic, including solid single, double and broken white lines. Half (50%) of drivers stated these were the most commonly faded.

Almost half of drivers (48%) say arrows on roundabouts or junctions have faded to grey while 44% reported that ‘give way’ markings have vanished. Similar proportions claim the paint on yellow box markings (43%), stop lines at junctions (41%) and speed limit signs painted on the road (36%) have gone.

The consequences of the widespread disappearance of road markings range from drivers having to guess where lanes are (63%) to ending up in the wrong lane (38%).

An overwhelming 84% of drivers believe that road safety in their areas would be improved if road markings were repainted, while 91% wish their local authority did a better job ensuring painted road markings are clearly visible.

Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “Drivers are widely reporting that road markings have been left to fade into obscurity, making roads less safe as a result. The problem appears to have got progressively worse as a majority of drivers say the visibility of markings has deteriorated in the last five years.

“And, while all painted lines are important to ensure drivers do the right thing, the fact some, such as those dividing lanes and even stop lines are disappearing, is troubling.

“It’s frightening to think almost one-in-five of drivers have had a near-miss as a result of faded road markings and more than one-in-10 have overshot a junction. Leaving these most vital markings to just wear away makes no sense whatsoever.

“While there’s clearly a cost to maintaining them, the cost of letting them disappear doesn’t bear thinking about.”