When we are looking for a parking space, we often wonder if we can stop or park over the area with a yellow zigzag line.
We know that if the painted kerb is a continuous yellow line it means no parking or stopping, and the dashed yellow kerb means no parking but stopping. But then, what do the yellow zigzag lines mean? Even if you see other drivers stop or park in these areas it does not mean that you can do so as well. To avoid any fines, here is all the information about this road marking.
The yellow zigzag line marks the area of the road where parking is prohibited, as it is reserved for another purpose. Therefore, we often see these markings at bus stops or loading and unloading areas. In other words, it is forbidden to park with any vehicle.
The fact that these are loading and unloading areas may make you think that you can park outside the set hours for this purpose. But the opposite is true, as there is another sign that says “no parking” (circle with a red horizontal line on a blue background), with the hours indicated for loading and unloading. If you find these hours specified next to the lines, now you know that it is possible to park outside these hours.
Many people get the yellow zigzag line mixed up with the dashed yellow line painted on the edge of the road or kerb; often also used to mark vehicle loading and unloading areas.
It is true that the rules that vehicles must follow are the same: they can stop, but not park, unless they do so outside the loading and unloading hours indicated.
The difference is that the yellow zigzag line defines an entire area, while those painted on the edge of the road or on the kerb are only for the part of the kerb where parking is forbidden.
Therefore, the yellow zigzag line is there to inform you about the area where parking is not allowed, as it is reserved for loading and unloading vehicles. This may be because these vehicles are larger, or it is simply the space needed for people to get on a bus.
So remember that you are allowed to stop at any time on the zigzag lines, but not to park.
You can see that zigzag lines, like other road markings, are designed to ensure safety and allow the free movement of vehicles; they must therefore be respected.
