What is the purpose of lane dividers on a carriageway?

• A. Mark the boundary of the carriageway.
• B. This half of the road is for cyclists.
• C. Break a carriageway into lanes.
• D. Indicate the edge of the road.

Answer: (C)

Lane dividers are the white road markings that split the carriageway into separate lanes. Their main purpose is to break the road into lanes so traffic can be organized, allowing drivers to stay in a designated path and make safer lane changes when needed. They help manage flow and reduce potential conflicts between vehicles moving at different speeds. These markings are internal to the road’s surface, not the boundary of the road itself—that edge is shown by the outer edge line or kerb. The lines also indicate whether crossing into another lane is allowed (for example, broken lines) or not (solid lines), but the core function is to create and define the lanes themselves.