Poor marks for UK’s white lines

The UK’s road markings are said to be vanishing rapidly, according to a new survey by a leading highways organisation. A snapshot survey of nearly 500 miles by the Road Safety Markings Association (RMSA) revealed that well over half of white lines in Scotland and Wales are almost non-existent, and England’s fare little better. On average, the RSMA survey found that 50.6% of the UK’s surveyed road markings are barely visible. And almost a quarter (23%) of roads are classified as needing ‘emergency repairs’.
June 19, 2012 Read time: 1 min
UK's vanishing white lines present road safety problem. Picture: Bauke Karel.
The UK’s road markings are said to be vanishing rapidly, according to a new survey by a leading highways organisation.

A snapshot survey of nearly 500 miles by the 5149 Road Safety Markings Association (RMSA) revealed that well over half of white lines in Scotland and Wales are almost non-existent, and England’s fare little better. On average, the RSMA survey found that 50.6% of the UK’s surveyed road markings are barely visible. And almost a quarter (23%) of roads are classified as needing ‘emergency repairs’. Less than 7% of road markings scored the highest rating.

The RSMA carried out the latest spot-check across a range of motorways and major A roads managed by the 2309 Highways Agency, and lesser A and B roads managed by local authorities.
Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Fugro uses Traffic Speed Deflectometer scans for Highways England
    November 14, 2016
    Fugro has started scanning structural pavement condition data from lane 2 using Highways England’s Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD). This is the first time for such scanning as part of the routine network-wide survey of England’s strategic roads, according to Fugro. The global asset integrity specialist has been carrying out Traffic Speed Structural Surveys (TRASS) since autumn 2014 under a 3-year contract (TRASS 3) - Highways England’s largest ever outsourced contract for pavement structural condit
    Read More
  • European Transport Safety Commission makes call for traffic safety boost
    July 10, 2015
    In 2013, 7,600 people died in road traffic while cycling or walking in European Union (EU) countries – the equivalent of a commercial airliner full of passengers being lost every week Because of this risk of death, the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) wants vehicle manufacturers and local authorities to pay special attention to improving safety for cyclists, walkers and pedestrians. In a new report, the ETSC said the numbers being killed are falling more slowly than those for vehicle occupants. Over
    Read More
  • Tailgating and speeding common safety issue on UK’s roads
    May 19, 2014
    Research carried out in the UK suggests that safety problems such as tailgating and speeding are common on UK motorways. According to the survey carried out jointly by road safety body Brake and insurance firm Direct Line, 57% of UK drivers admit to tailgating while 60% admit breaking the speed limit by 16km/h (10mph) or more. Male drivers are far the worst offenders however.
    Read More
  • UK’s road safety statistics
    October 3, 2022
    The UK’s road safety statistics for 2021 have been released.
    Read More

Highlighted Content