Many drivers and businesses face traffic fines, traffic jams and lane blockage. Because, they don’t know the curb parking rules. Curb colors can solve this problem by clearly showing you where you can park, stop and never stop.
Today, we have explained the curb colors meaning and their signs. So, you can avoid penalties, maintain traffic flow & make the road clear for emergency services.
Parking Curb Colors (Curb Markings Meaning)
The rules painted on the side of the road are known as parking curb colors. These colors show you where you can park, stop and parking is not allowed at all. They also show you where you can use the curb for things such as picking up people & loading goods. Every type of color has a special meaning that guides drivers.
Types of Parking Colors or Curb Parking Colors
Unpainted Curb
You are usually allowed to park at an unpainted curb zone. However, you still have to follow the basic parking rules, such as no driveways blockage, fire hydrants or crosswalks.
In case the curb has no color, you should always check for nearby signs. Because they may set limits and rules that are more important than the no painted curb.
White Curb Meaning
When you spot white curb markings, that means you can park your car for only a short time. For example: you can stop your car to drop off and pick up passengers. It will be against the law if you leave your car for a long time and you may get a ticket.
Further, always read signs placed at the curb. They will give you extra instructions, like time limits or hours when the rule is enforced. Sometimes, SPD vehicles, police cars and fire department vehicles also used white curbs when they needed fast access.
Green Curb
Green curb indicates that you can park for a short time. It is a timed parking zone. Generally, you will see the exact limit written on signs installed in this zone. You may be allowed to park for 10 minutes, 30 minutes or 1 hour. After that time, you must move your car.
The time limit can also vary according to time of day or night. You will find these zones in busy areas such as shops, schools and offices. You should look for posted signs before you park your car.
Blue Curb
This type of curb parking is only available for vehicles with a valid disabled parking permit. That means, if you or your passenger has a disability placard/license plate, you can park at a blue curb space. Basically, these spots are built to give easy access to handicapped people.
For example: curb near building entrances, ramps and elevators. Always remember that if you have no disabled permit, you must never park your car at any cost. Otherwise, it can lead to heavy fines, points on license and may be towed.
Yellow Curb Meaning
Yellow curbs are designed for only loading zones and freight tasks. You can park your vehicles at this zone for dropping off, package delivery and picking up people/goods. But you can’t leave your car in this area for a long time. Some yellow curbs also allow commercial drivers to stop for a very short time if required.
As a regular driver, you must follow placed time limits too. Traffic officers and parking patrols are very strict about this zone rules enforcement. The main purpose is to maintain traffic flow and make the load/unloading process fast.
Red Curb
At the red curb area, it’s legally prohibited that you can’t wait, park or stop your car under any conditions. But, emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances & police cars can park their vehicles if they need fast access.
Mostly, you will find these parking curbs near fire hydrants, bus stops, schools and busy intersections where safety is most important. Hence, if you only stop your car or park, you have to pay big fines, points to your driving record and police can take your car away.
Red & Yellow Curb
Well, the red and yellow curb is always reserved for emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. Because, they need clear and fast access in case of urgency. Additionally, regular drivers are restricted to stop, stand or park at all times.
Keep in mind that his curb is watched very closely by road police. When you break the rule, it can lead to heavy fines or vehicle removal. You should never block this zone, so rescue vehicles can reach out needy people without delay.
Regional Differences in Curb Colors
If we talk about curb markings meaning regional wise, the rules are not always the same everywhere. In different countries and cities, you will find unique meaning and rules for curbs. For instance, a yellow curb may indicate “loading only” in one place but “no parking” in another.
The reason is that in the Philippines, the LTO makes the rules for curb colors. On the other hand, local traffic authorities and DOT decided the law of curb color in the United States of America. We recommend you to check local signs and obey the rules of your area where you are driving.
Colors of Curb Signs
You will also see curb signs at curb painted locations. These signs are installed to give you extra parking rules. As a responsible citizen, you should read both the curb color and the sign together to know the authentic standard.
- Red Curb Sign: This sign is placed in high risk areas such as fire lanes and bus stops. They inform you that you must keep the way clear.
- Yellow Curb Sign: Yellow signs at curb indicate the area only for loading and unloading. You can only drop passengers and goods.
- White Curb Signage: These boards are placed to show you the parking time limit and which type of vehicle you can park.
- Green Curb Sign: For green curb, exact limit for parking is always written on the sign. When the time is up, you must move your car.
- Blue Sign: Blue signs usually have a bright blue background with a white wheelchair symbol. It informs you that the parking is only available for handicapped people.
Role of Curb Colors in Traffic Management
Curb color system has a major role to manage road flow, guide drivers as well as keep your road safe for driving & parking. Following are some benefits of curb color in traffic ordering.
- Reduce traffic congestion
- Improve road safety for road users
- Protect emergency access
- Support public transport efficiency
- Provides organized parking
- Minimize illegal parking
- Reduce road accidents
- Smooth vehicle flow in commercial zone
Curb Parking Rules
- You should always check the curb color and nearby placed signs before you park.
- Make sure, you never block driveways, crosswalks plus fire hydrants.
- It’s important to observe time limits for parking posted on signs, so you can avoid fines.
- Must keep space for emergency and service vehicles.
- You have to park close to the curb and leave room for moving traffic also.
- Always remember to turn off your car engine, if you need to wait for a short time at the curb zone.
- You must avoid double parking and not stopping in traffic lanes.
- Furthermore, you should be aware of your special local rules and temporary parking restrictions.
Final Words
We can say curb colors play an important role to keep our roads safe and parking organized. As a result, everyone can do their job without delay.
Now it’s your responsibility to always watch curb colors, obey posted signs and park your car correctly. If you want the best quality road safety products, you can talk to our team. We are China’s top manufacturer and supplier of all things related to traffic and road construction.
