Final answer:
Pavement markings guide drivers on lane usage, passing, and stopping rules. Solid and broken lines have specific meanings that regulate when it is legal to pass or change lanes. Markings also include arrows for lane direction and diamonds for reserved lanes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pavement markings play a crucial role in guiding drivers on how to use roads safely. These markings can divide lanes, indicate when one may pass or change lanes, direct which lanes to use for turns, and show where a vehicle must stop for signs or traffic signals.
Edge and lane lines with solid lines along the side denote the edge of the road. It is illegal to cross these solid lines. Lines between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction are often broken lines, while those separating oncoming traffic are usually solid. A single broken line permits drivers to pass other vehicles or change lanes. If there is a solid line beside a broken line, only the traffic on the side with the broken line may pass if safe.
Double solid lines strictly prohibit passing or changing lanes, except for turning left to leave the highway. A single solid line allows passing only if needed due to obstructions or traffic conditions. Stop lines and crosswalk lines are typically painted on the pavement as a white line at intersections or pedestrian crossing areas, instructing vehicles to stop before the line.
Arrows on the road surface indicate the required lane for a turn, while a diamond symbol designates reserved lanes for high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs), buses, or other special vehicles. In some places, these diamond lanes may have broken white lines allowing non-HOVs to enter for a turn at the next intersection.