Recent research has found that many drivers across the UK are facing major risks on the roads because a vitally important component is "vanishing". Some drivers have admitted that they have found themselves in dangerous situations that could have been avoided if it weren't for the 'disappearing' problem.

An RAC investigation found that painted road markings across the UK are "vanishing". The findings led to a "pretty concerning" conclusion, as the majority of drivers say faded markings make 'driving more dangerous'.

In a video uploaded to Instagram, a RAC spokesperson said: "Have you noticed it's harder to see where you're supposed to be on the road?" They add: "We're not just talking about cosmetic wear and tear, but the vital road markings that drivers rely on every single day, fading away. These include centre lines that separate oncoming traffic, arrows that guide us through roundabouts and stop lines that keep us safe at junctions."

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Research carried out by the RAC found that 92% of drivers believe these fading reminders on the road are "making driving more dangerous". Some reported that important road markings in their local area had "completely disappeared".

The fading of these clear signals and signs on the road has led to drivers having to "guess their lane". The report found that one in six motorists nearly hit oncoming traffic due to unclear lane markings.

The spokesperson continued: "Allowing these vital road markings to wear away puts drivers at unnecessary risk, and the dangers of them simply disappearing are simply too great to ignore. We'd like the Government to work closely with local councils to repaint the markings which are hardest to see."

RAC head of policy Simon Williams added: "While the Government has [recently] published the country’s first road safety strategy in more than a decade, this is one key area that shouldn’t be forgotten. We urge them to work with councils to rectify this situation, as markings are painted onto the road for good reason - to keep drivers and other road users safe by clearly informing them of what they should and shouldn’t be doing."

In the UK, road markings are typically repainted every few years, depending on traffic volume, road type and overall public risk. For example, high-traffic areas like motorways and busy urban roads usually experience significant wear and tear, requiring refreshment sooner, while lower-traffic areas like rural roads can go years without the same treatment.

Councils typically hold off on these updates until a string of dry weather can be guaranteed (or at least expected) to make sure new markings won't be damaged by rain. Many councils rely on reports of faded, dangerous markings from the public to prioritise where to 'fix' next.

Report faded, worn, or missing road markings to your local council’s highways department or National Highways, depending on the road type. Use their online "report a road fault" tool to pinpoint the location.