[eye30]

 The traditional white line in the middle of the road could be a thing of the past if the expansion of a pilot scheme continues.

Transport chiefs are considering an expansion of trial scheme to remove road markings such as the central white line from busy roads. The white lines were left off resurfaced A-roads in London in order to introduce ‘a sense of uncertainty’ that would make motorists drive more cautiously.

Research has shown that removal of the central white line, which has been a feature of British roads since the end of the Great War, slows the average speed of vehicles by up to 13%.

End of the line for road markings? Removing white lines ?slows down drivers?, research finds - BT

[Asterix]

I hope not. I can only agree with Dave that commented on the BT site:

"Stupidity, so what happens when gathering evidence after a crash ? how can a driver be found guilty for not driving in the right lane . . . if there are no road markings ! If traffic has slowed down in these trials , it is because they are so used to having a defined space to drive in . . . . when they get used to no line markings they will be driving where they want to and this will lead to more accidents . . . . without either driver being able to prove they were driving in the right place on the road with the result that it will take longer for the police to establish who was in the right and who was in the wrong ! Also ignorent drivers will try and get through traffic by squeezing into any gap thus creating more lanes of traffic than there is room for and chaos will ensue ! Road markings are there for a purpose . . . to keep the traffic flowing in a safe manner !"

[Dazzler]

 

We didn't used to have any lines on the 3 kilometre long rural road to our place. Probably about two years ago they put a single solid white line on all the major corners, which are mostly blind. Most people now keep within those lines...

[rustynutz]

Research has shown that removal of the central white line, which has been a feature of British roads since the end of the Great War, slows the average speed of vehicles by up to 13%.

They could go further...what about getting drivers to drive at night without headlights?
I reckon that would make drivers drive more cautiously... 
I also estimate that it would slow the average speed of vehicles by a minimum of 13% too... 

[The Gonz]

No lights, no markings, no rules, no enforcement, works in Indonesia!

[Dazzler]