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Some authorities in the UK are favouring the removal of white dividing lines from the centre of the road, claiming that it reduces both speeds and accidents, as drivers are more cautious on unmarked roads.
A pilot scheme which would see lines removed from some roads in Norfolk, Wiltshire and Derby is being proposed, following trials in London, which saw speeds drop by 13 per cent on average on unlined roads.
Tracey Jessop, Norfolk County Council's assistant director for highways and transport told The Press Association that removing white lines makes drivers: "more aware of the environment around them. By removing their lane, drivers no longer have a sense that 'this space belongs to me'. They are more aware they have to share it and be more mindful of other road users. We do know that the average traffic speeds are reduced."
While most of the proposals are being put forward for roads in well-lit, urban areas, safety campaigners are warning that removing road markings will be detrimental to every road user. Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, warned that: "we have to get the balance right" and said elderly drivers may suffer as a consequence of line removal. "Most deaths in the UK take place on rural single carriageways and white lining is a key tool in the road designers' armoury and should remain as an option to treat routes with a poor record. Throw in the need for new connected cars to be able to read the road and the vision needs of an ageing driving population and the case for white lines is still very strong."
Paul Watters, head of roads policy at the AA, said that: "Far from talking their use down we should be talking it up. They have a vital role in keeping road users safe. Of course there should be places where they can be dispensed with and this has largely worked, but unlike road signs, markings are already less intrusive but still help road users."