Why do we need traffic lane signs?
According to traffic rules, signs and markings determine the number of traffic lanes and how cars should be positioned on them. Lane signs are listed in section 5 of the appendix to the traffic rules; traffic on the lanes is regulated by four of them: 5.15.1, 5.15.2, 5.15.7, 5.15.8. About markings - in paragraph 1.18 of the traffic rules.
Svetlana Novikova, driving instructor and safe driving teacher
Lane traffic signs are needed for two reasons:
Orient the driver. Markings are available all year round in cities where the climate allows them to be updated frequently, for example in Moscow. In many regions it disappears along with the snow and is renewed very slowly. The sign helps the driver navigate the road and take a safe place before the maneuver.
Increase capacity on city roads. Often turns are an exit onto a secondary road from a highway, for example into a yard. Signs are needed to direct the flow of traffic and not create congestion.
According to traffic rules, four groups of signs regulate traffic in lanes
What signs regulate traffic in lanes?
There are many signs designed to regulate traffic on lanes. However, they are all divided into types:
- signs indicating movement are installed if there are different numbers of traffic lanes along the entire length of the roadway;
- signs that indicate in which direction it is allowed to move are installed at the beginning and end of the lane;
- signs defining the traffic mode establish restrictions on the movement of a particular vehicle in a specific lane and are intended to regulate the speed of traffic flow within its limits;
- signs prescribing turning rules are located in front of or at intersections in order to regulate the process of turning in individual lanes.
Sometimes road markings and warning signs do not correspond to each other. In these circumstances, you should act in accordance with the sign. In case of repair work on the road or its closure, the sign allows you to drive straight from the left turn lane. The absence of obstacles and signs on a multi-lane road that regulate travel means turning left only from the left lane located on the edge. To perform other actions, you need to use those lanes that are located to the right.
A common mistake motorists make is changing lanes incorrectly. This is one of the reasons that leads to road accidents. At the same time, the problem when changing lanes is usually associated not with compliance with lanes, but with the banal intransigence of road users. However, there are often cases when motorists violate the marking rules when changing lanes.
We also read: What fine awaits the driver if he is not included in the insurance Fine for driving on the side of the road
What signs should you use to navigate the lane?
Let's look at each sign and markings separately and see how to navigate them on the strip.
Sign 5.15.1 “Traffic directions along lanes.” You can only travel in the indicated directions. If you turn right from the middle lane, the driver will be fined 500 rubles for violating the instructions of the “Go straight ahead” sign. If you turn left or turn around, you will be fined up to 1,500 rubles.
Signs 5.15.2 “Lane directions”. These signs have the same function as the previous one, but they are located separately above each stripe. Such signs are also placed if you need to cancel the effect of the previous sign.
Signs 5.15.7 “Direction of traffic along lanes.” This sign indicates that there is oncoming traffic on the left and crossing the solid line is prohibited. The sign shows which vehicles are prohibited from driving in the left lane.
Sign 5.15.8 “Number of lanes”. This sign is placed if the speed limits for the lanes are different. For example, so that the driver can safely reduce speed and turn off the road.
Marking “Direction of traffic along lanes”. Such markings are often applied before an intersection. It indicates the permitted directions of movement along the lanes. If the requirements of the markings and signs do not coincide, the driver is guided by the signs.
Which cameras record the intersection of a double solid line?
Maneuvers that cross one or two solid lines are punished equally.
This offense is considered one of the most serious, as it involves driving a vehicle into oncoming traffic and dramatically increases the likelihood of a fatal accident. Even turning and turning a vehicle while crossing such markings on an empty road is punishable by fines. If an offense is recorded by a traffic police inspector and is caught on camera, it will not be possible to avoid punishment. Such actions are recorded by most modern stationary and mobile devices with photo recording and/or video recording.
The exception is devices that can only read vehicle speed. If an inspector refers to such a device when issuing a fine for crossing a solid road, this is illegal.
What is the fine for breaking lanes?
Failure to comply with the rules of signs and markings. As a general rule, the fine for such a violation is 500 rubles. This is stated in paragraph 1 of Art. 12.16 Code of Administrative Offences. In the following paragraphs of the article, traffic situations are clarified and the fine increases.
Turn left or make a U-turn against signs. The fine for such a maneuver is up to 1,500 rubles.
Overtaking in the oncoming lane or on oncoming tram tracks. Fine - up to 1500 rubles.
Driving on the oncoming lane or oncoming tram tracks. Such driving is punishable by a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for up to six months. For repeated violation within a year - deprivation of rights for a year.
Driving in the left lane of a suburban highway when the right is free. According to clause 9.4 of the traffic rules, the driver is obliged to drive closer to the right side of the road. Violation of this requirement results in a fine of 1,500 rubles.
Changing lanes without a turn signal. For violating the rules of maneuvering - a fine of 500 rubles.
The driver did not take the turn or U-turn lane in advance. Fine - 500 rubles.
Fines for lane violations in 2018
Incorrect driving in lanes, the fine for which can be quite impressive, threatens not only the loss of money, but also life. Many drivers do not pay any attention to signs and markings. The most common case is a fine for driving on a median (for example, on Kutuzovsky Prospekt in Moscow). It is 500 rubles*, in addition, the driver can be deprived of his license for a period of 1 to 3 months.
Failure to comply with the instructions of the “Driving in Lanes” sign
If the driver changed lanes, but did not turn on the turn signal and continued driving, then he committed a punishable act. In this case, it is difficult to predict the direction of the car, and an emergency situation arises. The driver behind him thinks the car is turning right. Meanwhile, the intruder simply drives forward. Additionally, penalties are imposed when driving into the oncoming lane if the following is committed:
- overtaking an obstacle with a prohibition sign - 5,000 rubles*;
- dangerous overtaking in violation of the rules - 1,500 rubles. and higher*;
- travel on a tram track - 500 rub.*
As an example, we can consider a situation that ranks first among common violations: the driver drove straight from the left turn lane, the fine for this is 5,000 rubles*, and in the future - deprivation of rights for up to 6 months.
For entering a public transport lane, you face a fine of 1,500 rubles.* If the situation occurred in Moscow or St. Petersburg, you will be fined double the amount - 3,000 rubles.*
Driving on the median is prohibited
Is it possible not to pay or save
What if you don't pay? By law, the violator is required to pay a fine within 60 days from the date of the decision. If you do not pay on time, the fine will double or be replaced with imprisonment for 15 days. If the offender continues to evade punishment, the bailiffs have the right to collect the amount of the fine through the bank - the money will be withdrawn from the account. If the debtor has nothing to pay, the bailiffs can take the car.
To avoid paying a fine legally, try to appeal it to the traffic police or through the court; you have 10 days from the date of the decision to do this.
Pay with a discount. If the fine was issued fairly, it can be paid at a discount. The law allows you to pay 50% of the fine in the first 20 days. For example, a driver was fined 1,500 rubles for driving in the oncoming lane. If you pay the fine in the first 20 days, the amount will be 750 rubles.
Features of the marking of this section of the road
The dedicated lane must be limited from other sections of the road using a special or broken line.
When performing maneuvers, drivers of personal vehicles should not cross the continuous marking line. But if a broken line is marked on this section of the road, then you can maneuver. For example, if there is a broken line, a motorist has the right to:
- Change lanes of fixed-route vehicles when making turns.
- According to the rules, it is allowed to enter this lane when leaving adjacent roads or courtyard areas.
- It is allowed to enter a dedicated lane intended for public transport to pick up or unload passengers.
However, it is worth remembering that such maneuvers are allowed only in cases where private vehicles do not constitute an obstacle to the movement of public transport.
Remember
- Lane driving signs are needed for driver safety and to reduce traffic jams and accidents.
- The fine for violating the traffic lane is from 500 to 5000 rubles. The same price for violating the markings.
- If a sign contradicts the markings, the sign takes precedence.
- The fine must be paid within 60 days from the date of the decision.
- The 50% discount is valid for the first 20 days.
All articles by the author: Evgeniy Lesnov
How to avoid a fine
To avoid being fined, you must always be as careful as possible. There is, of course, the possibility of avoiding punishment. For example, if the maneuver was necessary to avoid an emergency situation or was performed before the sign was seen (for example, it was covered by a traffic light). But you shouldn’t count on this too much. Parking on the sidewalk or lawn, driving along tram tracks or violating the traffic lane (fine - from 1000 to 1500 rubles) will bring a lot of problems, both financially and morally.
It is advisable to take the new online traffic tests. They are free, there is no trick to them, and they will help you avoid getting a fine for driving in the wrong lane.
We also must not forget that respect for other drivers and pedestrians is a necessary component of any driving.
*Information is current as of June 2021.
