A new survey reveals that faded road markings are causing serious safety concerns on UK roads.
Shockingly, one in six drivers admits they’ve nearly been involved in a crash because they couldn’t see the lines properly.
The findings have prompted the RAC to call on the Government and local councils to take urgent action.
Visibility of Road Markings Is Getting Worse
The poll, commissioned by the RAC and involving 1,693 licence holders, found that nearly three-quarters of drivers (72%) believe the clarity of road markings in their areas has declined over the last five years.
Many blamed tighter council budgets and inconsistent maintenance schedules for the deteriorating paint.
Drivers report having to guess where lanes are, with 63% admitting they’ve had to make educated guesses because markings had almost vanished.
Around 38% said they’ve accidentally ended up in the wrong lane, while 13% confessed to overshooting a junction due to missing lines.
About one in five said lane lines on the road had faded to almost nothing.
Disappearing Lines Make Driving Risky
A staggering 92% of motorists believe that vanishing road markings have made driving more dangerous.
Missing lines can lead to veering into the wrong lane, straying onto the opposite side of the road, or causing confusion at junctions where painted turn signals have disappeared.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “Leaving vital road markings to simply wear away makes no sense.
While maintaining them has a cost, the cost of letting them disappear is far worse.”
Which Markings Are Fading the Fastest?
The survey highlights that some of the most crucial markings are disappearing.
Lane dividers, including solid, double, and broken white lines, were cited by half of drivers as the most commonly faded.
Other critical markings losing visibility include:
- Arrows on roundabouts or junctions (48%)
- ‘Give way’ markings (44%)
- Yellow box markings (43%)
- Stop lines at junctions (41%)
- Speed limit markings on the road (36%)
Drivers also pointed to faded hatched markings, bus and cycle lane outlines, zebra crossings, and advanced stop lines at traffic lights as areas neglected by local authorities.
Drivers Feel the Impact Every Day
The practical consequences are clear: 63% of drivers say they frequently have to guess where lanes are, 38% report accidentally driving in the wrong lane, and nearly one in five have had confrontations or been honked at because markings were unclear.
In a broader context, the RAC’s Report on Motoring found that faded road markings and poor drainage rank as the second biggest safety hazards for drivers, tied at 38%, with potholes topping the list at 80%.
Public Wants Action
Most drivers are eager for improvement: 84% believe repainting markings would make their journeys safer, and 91% want local authorities to ensure road markings are clearly visible.
Williams emphasized the urgent need for action: “It’s frightening to think almost one in five drivers have had a near-miss, and more than one in ten have overshot a junction because of faded lines.
The Government must work with councils to fix this before more accidents happen.”
Practical Support for Car Owners
For drivers looking to protect their vehicles and stay on top of safety, services like the This is Money Motoring Club can help.
Powered by MotorEasy, the service allows members to manage tax, MOTs, servicing, and important documents while saving money on repairs.
New members receive a £20 voucher to use toward repairs or warranties, plus discounts on MOTs at listed providers.
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