If you’ve ever see a blue line painted on the street, here’s what it means

Any driver knows how important it is to pay attention to road markings, as not following them can be incredibly dangerous and even life-threatening. In some areas of the U.S., a new road marking is set to appear in the coming weeks: a thin blue line between the two yellow center lines. This blue line, being painted on roads throughout Maryland, honors the heroic police officers who serve their communities. It’s also a safety measure, as the line leads directly to police stations,

symbolizing appreciation for the sacrifices officers make every day. Ocean City, Maryland, recently added these blue lines, a gesture Mayor Rick Sheehan supports, recognizing how much his beach community relies on police to maintain peace between retirees and visiting teenagers. The line, placed between the existing yellow dividers on 65th Street, leads straight to the Ocean City Police Department headquarters. Hopefully, more communities across the country will follow suit and add blue lines to their streets as a sign of respect for law enforcement officers, who often don’t receive the appreciation they deserve.