A method is provided for detecting road lane markers using a light-based sensing device. Reflectivity data is captured using the light-based sensing device. A light intensity signal is generated based on the captured reflectivity data. The light intensity signal is convolved with a differential filter for generating a filter response that identifies a candidate lane marker region and ground segment regions juxtaposed on each side of the candidate lane marker region. A weighted standard deviation of the data points within the identified candidate lane marker region and weighted standard deviation of the data points within the ground segment regions are calculated. An objective value is determined as a function of the respective weighted standard deviations. The objective value is compared to a respective threshold for determining whether the identified candidate lane marker region is a lane marker.