Restricted areas and traffic islands

Blocked areas and traffic islands are marked areas on the roadway that you are normally not allowed to drive on. They are used to control traffic flow and create safe zones.

What is a blocked area?

A blocked area is a hatched area bounded by solid lines. It is forbidden to drive in this area. Blocked areas are typically used to:

• Separate oncoming traffic at intersections and curves
• Provide space for left-turn lanes
• Create distance between lanes with different speeds
• Protect pedestrians at crosswalks

What is a traffic island?

A traffic island is a raised or marked island in the middle of the road that divides the traffic. Traffic islands are often found:

• In roundabouts, as a central island
• At crosswalks, as a refuge for pedestrians
• At intersections, to guide driving direction

Rules for blocked areas

Important rules to remember

• Never drive over blocked areas, even if it seems like a shortcut.
• Traffic islands must always be passed on the right side unless signs indicate otherwise.
• Blocked areas at intersections are especially important – they show that you should not position yourself in that lane.
• Yellow hatching at roadworks has the same rules as white, but indicates temporary changes.

Common mistakes

• Driving over a blocked area to get into the turning lane faster.
• Thinking that flat, marked traffic islands can be driven over.
• Confusing a blocked area with regular lane markings.

Further reading

• Read about road markings – types and rules for a complete overview.
• See driving in roundabouts for rules about traffic islands in roundabouts.
• Understand right of way and intersections for positioning at intersections.
• Read about center line and solid line for rules about solid lines.