What is a median?

A median refers to a physical barrier or strip of land that separates opposing lanes of traffic on a roadway. This feature is crucial for enhancing road safety as it helps to reduce the likelihood of head-on collisions by providing a safe division between vehicles traveling in opposite directions. Medians can come in various forms, such as grass, concrete, or other materials, and they often serve additional purposes, like providing space for landscaping or serving as pedestrian refuge areas at crosswalks.

Understanding the function of a median is vital for drivers, as it influences how one should navigate intersections and multi-lane roads. Traffic signals, speed limit signs, or turn indicators do not provide the same kind of separation or safety benefits as a median does, making the identification of a median important in the context of traffic safety and road design.