Solid White Line query

[ca092003]

Just been through a contraflow. Basically lanes 2 and 3 were closed and all traffic was diverted onto hard shoulder and lane 1.

Seperating the hard shoulder and lane 1 is a solid white line. Is it lawful to cross this solid white line while in the contraflow?

BTW, this isn't a trick question. I am genuinely curious to know what the law states.

[Streetcop]

Ah...your favourite white line questions...ca092003

I'm of the opinion that unless there are toe-in arrows prior to the solid white line; it isn't enforceable.

Although, if there is a sign saying STAY IN LANE prior to the contraflow, you could be contravening the local order.

[Plotloss]

Thats not a white line in the strictest definition is it?

Its a median of some sort so therefore isnt the same as the white lines down the middle of the road...

[pdV6]

In any case, its not an offense to cross the line when you need to use the hard shoulder, so hardly the same thing.

[ca092003]

Streetcop said:

Ah...your favourite white line questions...ca092003 I'm of the opinion that unless there are toe-in arrows prior to the solid white line; it isn't enforceable. Although, if there is a sign saying STAY IN LANE prior to the contraflow, you could be contravening the local order.

I thought that might raise your eyebrows. lol

As plotless says above, it doesn't appear to be a "real" white line, IYSWIM.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Streetcop]

ca092003 said:

I thought that might raise your eyebrows. lol As plotless says above, it doesn't appear to be a "real" white line, IYSWIM. Thanks for the clarification.

Hope you also appreciated my level reasoned response..

[ca092003]

Streetcop said:

ca092003 said: I thought that might raise your eyebrows. lol As plotless says above, it doesn't appear to be a "real" white line, IYSWIM. Thanks for the clarification. Hope you also appreciated my level reasoned response..

Absolutely.

[Dwight VanDriver]

I would say that no offence is committed as it is a single continuous line not a double.

I would presume the line is what is termed to be an Edge of Carriageway marking, which under normal traffic flows, separates and marks the hard shoulder from the nearside of the nearside lane (1).

DVD

[MilnerR]

Slightly off topic but have you ever been through road works where the temporary lane marked out with cones etc does not fall within the regular markings? I find it takes an incredible amount of concentration to follow the cones and not to instictively follow the road markings.