2+1 RoadSweden

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


42. 2+1 Road

A 2+1 road is a road with three traffic lanes where one direction has two lanes and the opposite direction has one lane. The two-lane section normally alternates between directions at intervals, giving traffic in each direction regular opportunities to overtake slower vehicles.

The opposing directions may be separated by road markings or a central safety barrier. Where a barrier is used, the design can reduce the risk of head-on collisions while still providing periodic overtaking sections.

2+1 Road
A 2+1 Road. (Swedish National road 36 north of Linköping)
Wikimedia.org • Skvattram • CC0
What is a 2+1 road?

A 2+1 road is a three-lane road where two lanes are provided in one direction and one lane in the opposite direction, with the arrangement alternating along the route.

Why do 2+1 roads have alternating lanes?

The alternating two-lane sections provide regular opportunities for vehicles to overtake slower traffic without requiring a continuous two-lane carriageway in each direction.

Are the opposing directions separated on a 2+1 road?

They may be separated by road markings or by a central safety barrier. Barrier-separated designs are particularly intended to prevent vehicles from entering the opposing traffic stream.

1 Sweden 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Built-up area 5 Speed limit 6 Bike path 7 Shared-use path 8 Toll road 9 Quay 10 Slope 11 Bus stop 12 Stop sign 13 Give way 14 Roundabout 15 Pedestrian crossing 16 Railway crossing 17 Crossing animals 18 Roadworks 19 Height limit 20 Selective barriers 21 Traffic lights 22 Pedestrian lights 23 Traffic mirror 24 Cycling route 25 Parking 26 No parking 27 No stopping 28 Reversing 29 Licence plate 30 Charging station 31 Dangers 32 Bus 33 Police 34 Ambulance 35 European emission standard 36 Pothole 37 Path 38 Particulates 39 Air pollution 40 Rush hour 41 Road code 42 2+1 Road 43 2-1 Road 44 Street gutter 45 Cargo bike 46 Forestry vehicle 47 Construction vehicle 48 Semi-trailer truck 49 Trolleybus 50 Speed pedelec 51 Delivery vehicle 52 Idling 53 Tow truck 54 Four-wheel drive 55 Bicycle 56 Motorcycle equipment 57 Rail track 58 Caravan 59 Trailer 60 Tow hitch 61 Fire truck 62 Siren 63 Convoy 64 Emergency vehicle lighting 65 Agricultural machinery 66 Electric bicycle 67 Electric vehicle 68 Pedelec 69 Quadricycle 70 Microcar 71 All-terrain vehicle 72 Van 73 Recreational vehicle 74 Scooter 75 Trikke 76 Personal mobility device 77 Skateboard 78 Segway 79 Kick scooter 80 Roller skates 81 Mailman 82 Hitchhiker 83 Toddler 84 Child 85 Disability 86 Motorail 87 km/h 88 mph 89 Speedometer 90 Ride height 91 Dirt road 92 Driving 93 Start-stop system 94 Manual transmission 95 Automatic transmission 96 Throttle 97 Tachometer 98 Steering wheel 99 Power steering 100 Visual scanning ...