What do the dashes close to each other near French freeway exits mean?
During my last trip to France via car I noticed that French freeways (autoroutes) have a somewhat strange road marking I am not familiar with.
Usually, there are two lanes going my direction on a freeway. These lanes are separated by a dashed line indicating I am allowed to cross this line to pass cars by moving to the left lane.
A few hundred meters before each exit the frequency of these dashes changes. They are much closer together but still don't form a solid line. As soon as the exit is passed, the line changes back to dashes spread further apart, just as before.
In case you do not know what I mean, have a look at e.g. this freeway exit near Paris on Google Maps.
What do these dashes near the exit mean? Am I supposed to not change lanes in this area?
Best Answer
This page calls such lines lignes de dissuasion, saying that while crossing is allowed, it is discouraged.
And for what I think is a more reliable site, here is a site that offers tests on the French auto code. It has a page on markings. It offers:
Les lignes de dissuasion
Souvent rencontrées sur les routes étroites et sinueuses. Elles autorisent le dépassement des véhicules très lents. Elles sont composées de traits de 3 m et d'intervalle de 1,33 m.
Which google translates as:
Deterrence lines
Often encountered on the narrow, winding roads. They allow the overcoming of very slow vehicles. They are composed of lines of 3 m and an interval of 1.33 m.
Pictures about "What do the dashes close to each other near French freeway exits mean?"
What do dashed lines in the middle of the road mean?
A white line separates lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. The dashed lines indicate that you are free to change lanes and stay in that other lane.How does the French highway system work?
Using Highways (Autoroutes)You take a ticket as you enter the motorway from a machine, and pay when you exit the motorway. At some motorway p\xe9ages, there will be no person at the booth. Many autoroute exit machines accept credit and debit cards.What does rappel mean on French roads?
You'll often see the word 'rappel' underneath speed limit signs in France. It translates as 'reminder' and its purpose is to remind you that speed restrictions are still in place, so you need to stick to the specified limit.Does France have street lines?
As in other countries, you don't cross solid white lines. This is particularly important to follow in France. Cross lanes only at dashed white lines. You might also see longer lines with dashes on the side of the road.Following Distance / Tailgating | Learn to drive: Highway Code
More answers regarding what do the dashes close to each other near French freeway exits mean?
Answer 2
According to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/conventn/signalse.pdf), Chapter IV, Article 26, paragraph 2 (a), a broken line can be used (i) "to demarcate lanes" or (ii) "to give warning of the approach to a continuous line ... or of the approach to another section of road presenting a particular danger."
2 (b) goes on to say that "the ratio between the length of the gaps between the strokes and the length of the strokes shall be substantially smaller" when the meaning is that of (a)(ii).
Answer 3
They indicate that traffic will be slowing to leave the at the exit and extend to indicate that slower traffic will be entering.
In Europe, it is not legal to overtake on the nearside, so it is a reminder for polite drivers to move out (if possible) to allow slowing traffic to leave and join.
It is not illegal to cross them, but the gendarmes can always find something wrong if they stop you.
Answer 4
This is actually a way to tell that, if not driving on the rightmost lane already, it is too late to merge right to reach the exit ramp in safe conditions. Drivers should prepare soon enough to get in correct position to exit before it is reached as there are signs soon enough that mention the remaining distance.
Some reckless drivers still do it, which is a rather dangerous move.
Note: this is completely unrelated to the thick dashes that delimitate the beginning and end of exit and entry ramps. If those dashes are seen on the main roadway delimitating the rightmost lane, they mark a reserved lane for trucks & slow vehicles (60 km/h) during an uphill section. The blue disc sign maked with "VEHICULES LENTS" (slow vehicles) should be seen at the beginning.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Dziana Hasanbekava, Jonathan Borba