What does a solid double white centre line mean?

[Strangely Brown]

This question caused quite an argument when asked on a Channel 5 quiz some time ago. I have also seen it as part of a "Theory Test" on a website.

Since it was quite some time ago now and there are a lot of new people who may not have seen it before, I was wondering how people would answer it here.

Mods: I wasn't sure whether to post it in GG, AD or P&P. Please feel free to move if this is the wrong place.

[mat205125]

I thought it was "Only overtake if no one is watching"

[tomTVR]

People shouldnt be driving if they dont know that!

[phlea]

I thought it was no overtaking in most circumstances. IIRC you can overtake cycles, milkfloats, tractors which are travelling at less than 11mph [/pedant]

[10 Pence Short]

You can boil it and it doesn't separate.

[Strangely Brown]

tomTVR said:

People shouldnt be driving if they dont know that!

You're right. They shouldn't.

Interesting results so far.

[jagdpanther]

phlea said:

I thought it was no overtaking in most circumstances. IIRC you can overtake cycles, milkfloats, tractors which are travelling at less than 11mph [/pedant]

Was just about to type that when I saw you had done it...

[asbo]

mat205125 said:

I thought it was "Only overtake if no one is watching"

I was taught that, whilst it is illegal (kids) to overtake on the doubles, any overtake is purely based on what you can see to be clear. If the line is broken but visibility is poor, you don't overtake. I've overtaken on doubles many times as I felt they were inappropriate for the road. Converesly I've traveled roads whereby the dotted line continues over the brow of a blind crest.

[matchmaker]

[pedant] I thought it meant you couldn't cross it? Not the same as no overtaking [/pedant]

[jimmy306]

matchmaker][pedant said:

I thought it meant you couldn't cross it? Not the same as no overtaking [/pedant]

+1

[HRG]

matchmaker][pedant said:

I thought it meant you couldn't cross it? Not the same as no overtaking [/pedant]

Motorcycles can overtake as long as they don't cross the line.

[gmk666]

Isn't it that you're allowed to overtake, you're just not allowed to cross the line?
Which is why bikers get away with it.

(And I'm not having a go at bikers.)




Edited to add 'Damn, too slow'.

Edited by gmk666 on Wednesday 17th December 13:13

[TankRizzo]

matchmaker][pedant said:

I thought it meant you couldn't cross it? Not the same as no overtaking [/pedant]

And you can still cross it by turning right if you have to.

[Lemoncurd]

tomTVR said:

People shouldnt be driving if they dont know that!

and if this poll is anything to go by, the roads should be a lot quieter than they actually are!

[jackal]

d) none of the above




its not just overtaking, you should not cross it..full stop
and the fact that its solid AND doubel means the same applies for both lanes of traffic

(unless theres a stationary or <10mph vehicle)


saw something recently on TV where some tool thought it was cool to treat the road like a race track and use the oncoming lane for extra width through a bend. This was snake pass and a copper saw him cross the white lines and went back and hgave him points and a fine.

[Podie]

matchmaker][pedant said:

I thought it meant you couldn't cross it? Not the same as no overtaking [/pedant]

Must admit, that's what I thought

Edited by Podie on Wednesday 17th December 13:16

[Crusoe]

allowed to cross to pass stationary objects and slow moving vehicles (check the speed from the highway code though sure it used to be 14mph) I had 3 points with the lecture about it in the dim and distant past.

[Lemoncurd]

jackal said:

d) none of the above

Hint: Highway Code Rule 240

[Strangely Brown]

Of the three options given, there is only one correct answer.

As TomTVR says: You shouldn't be driving if you don't know this.

[E30M3SE]

jackal said:

d) none of the above




its not just overtaking, you should not cross it..full stop
and the fact that its solid AND doubel means the same applies for both lanes of traffic

(unless theres a stationary or <10mph vehicle)

...Or your making a right turn (Clyde).

This is what I believe to be correct.