Zig-zag lines or checkered yellow patterns at several crossings across Bengaluru must have caught your attention. Those of you who are puzzled by these unusual traffic markings, it’s important for you to understand their meaning or you are bound to be penalised by the city traffic police.

Zig-Zag line junctions

These are areas with zig-zag lines painted in white colour and indicate pedestrian crossings ahead. Motorcycles are prohibited from halting here. As reported by the Times of India, R Hitendra, additional commissioner of traffic police said,

“The aim is to ensure pedestrian safety and decongest the city’s junctions. The zig-zag lines are meant for the safety of pedestrians. Motorists have this habit of parking or stopping their vehicles near the junction, thus blocking the vision of pedestrians crossing the road. If we are able clear the areas near pedestrian crossings, accidents can be brought down.”

Source: twitter

Yellow Traffic boxes

The yellow-checkered patterns indicate the areas where motorists have to obligatorily clear the road and not stop. They are meant to keep the junctions clear.

It is common for motorists to pile up at intersections, especially at CBD (Central Business District) areas, jammed with traffic ahead; thus blocking the movement of vehicles in other directions.

Areas marked with yellow boxes mean that motorists may enter the junction when their exit is clear and there is enough space on the other side as well.

Source: twitter

Most junctions with zig-zag lines and yellow boxes markings are zero-tolerance areas and you will be penalised if you halt here. There are 11 such junctions in Bangalore and the city police hopes to twins the markings in at least 100 junctions across the city in the next few months.

These areas are manned by police personnel at all times and traffic cameras are also installed here. Last week on Saturday, 1800 cases were booked at these junctions alone.

Traffic in Bangalore is a nuisance with the huge numbers of two-wheelers. The Logical Indian welcomes these new regulations by the city police and hopes that smooth vehicular movement will be ensured.