Notstreifen

Notstreifen is a German term that translates roughly to “emergency stripe” or “emergency line.” It is not a single, standardized concept, but a label used in various contexts to denote markings or zones related to safety or emergencies. As such, its exact meaning varies by domain and country.

In road traffic, Notstreifen commonly refers to markings or strips that designate areas intended for emergencies, such as a reserved shoulder or a zone where vehicles may stop during incidents. In some contexts these markings may be described as emergency lanes or breakdown strips, while in others the term is used for high-visibility stripes on signs or barriers to improve recognition of hazard zones.

In transport infrastructure and signage, Notstreifen often appear as longitudinal bands designed to be highly visible. They may utilize bright colors and retroreflective materials to remain conspicuous at night or in adverse weather conditions.

In other contexts, Notstreifen can describe safety markings on equipment, tools, or apparel (for example, reflective stripes on protective clothing) intended to indicate hazard areas or to enhance visibility for workers and bystanders.

The usage, design, and regulatory status of Notstreifen differ by jurisdiction. Some road-safety guidelines specify requirements for emergency-related markings, while in other cases the term is used descriptively without prescribing a fixed design.

See also: emergency exit, Rettungsgasse, Pannenstreifen, Sicherheitsmarkierung, Notausgang.