Solid white lines
Discussion
Ok, so you can overtake if on a bike, but (im not a biker btw) as car drivers we are supposed to give bikes as much room as we would give a car. Fair enough.
So...f a bike overtook a car without straying over the line, they would be in the same lane, and i'd imagine, very close to the car
would this not be considered to be dangerous driving?
So...f a bike overtook a car without straying over the line, they would be in the same lane, and i'd imagine, very close to the car
would this not be considered to be dangerous driving?
MrF, the answer was in the first reply. Yes, you can lay yourself open to a charge of "without due care" or even "dangerous driving" if the BiB spot you and deem it the case. However, this is the same with any overtake.
It would all depend on how the manouver was performed. If it was performed in a safe manner such that the driver of the car seemed aware of the bike and was not caused any inconvenience (ie swerved during the manouver) then it's okay. If it was obviously done badly with too much speed, nearly hitting the car and the driver of the car swerving during the manouver then it would not be okay.
The biggest thing is that the driver in front is aware of the bike and, preferably, the law. Most think "do not overtake" rather than "do not cross" so will often try and block the bike if they see it. However, alot of drivers do actually seem to know the rules and will pull over as far as they can to the left to allow safe room for and overtake.
You basically have to make a judgement of whether you believe it is safe. A good rider will do it well and not attempt something they are not sure of. A nutter will go anyway and risk their lives.
It would all depend on how the manouver was performed. If it was performed in a safe manner such that the driver of the car seemed aware of the bike and was not caused any inconvenience (ie swerved during the manouver) then it's okay. If it was obviously done badly with too much speed, nearly hitting the car and the driver of the car swerving during the manouver then it would not be okay.
The biggest thing is that the driver in front is aware of the bike and, preferably, the law. Most think "do not overtake" rather than "do not cross" so will often try and block the bike if they see it. However, alot of drivers do actually seem to know the rules and will pull over as far as they can to the left to allow safe room for and overtake.
You basically have to make a judgement of whether you believe it is safe. A good rider will do it well and not attempt something they are not sure of. A nutter will go anyway and risk their lives.
The conditions I was thinking about are on a wide 'A' road which you could almost get a car past if the other car pulled to the left, you'd definatly get 2 Smarts side by side down it 
and due to the traffic speed you'd almost be classed as 'filtering' as aposed to 'overtaking' 
Or the other instance would be when the car traffic is stationary 
and due to the traffic speed you'd almost be classed as 'filtering' as aposed to 'overtaking' Or the other instance would be when the car traffic is stationary Peter Ward said:
At risk of hijacking the thread....what about solid white lines on the nearside of the lane? Are these also "do not cross" lines? What if the solid lines have hatchings in them? Assume no cycle lane signs in either case. I can't find a reference in the HWC.
Solid white line on the near side indicates Urban Clearway, which means No Stopping or parking on the verge. So yes in essence it means do not cross
The A4 between Reading and Maidenhead is a good example of where a motorcycle can pass safely on a solid white line system without causing a danger. This section of road used to be a 3 lane carriageway until it was reduced to 2, so in essence there is an additional half a lane's width available for the likes of motorcyclists top use.
The HC does not say do not overtake. What it does say is that you must not cross over or straddle unless it is safe to do so and:
You need to turn right.
If passing a stationary obstruction.
To overtake a horse, pedal cycle or raod mainatnance vehicle if they are travelling at less than 10 MPH.
And obviously if directed to do so by a police Officer in uniform.
At the end of the day it is a risk assessment that needs to be carried out by the rider (or anyone else contemplating it at the end of the day) and if the above criteria is complied with, and no danger is caused to other road users, a court would have difficulty in convicting the road user.
The HC does not say do not overtake. What it does say is that you must not cross over or straddle unless it is safe to do so and:
You need to turn right.
If passing a stationary obstruction.
To overtake a horse, pedal cycle or raod mainatnance vehicle if they are travelling at less than 10 MPH.
And obviously if directed to do so by a police Officer in uniform.
At the end of the day it is a risk assessment that needs to be carried out by the rider (or anyone else contemplating it at the end of the day) and if the above criteria is complied with, and no danger is caused to other road users, a court would have difficulty in convicting the road user.
V12Bob said:It is my understanding that there are no road markings associated with Clearways. These are defined by street signs only.
Solid white line on the near side indicates Urban Clearway, which means No Stopping or parking on the verge. So yes in essence it means do not cross
The HC does not mention white lines on the nearside.
Streaky
Peter Ward said:
At risk of hijacking the thread....what about solid white lines on the nearside of the lane? Are these also "do not cross" lines? What if the solid lines have hatchings in them? Assume no cycle lane signs in either case. I can't find a reference in the HWC.
As a strong rule of thumb, a solid white line means do not cross. If you cross a solid white line with hatchings, ie, where a road splits, you could be done for 'driving on the verge' endorsable with 3-points and fine. (Like the numpties you see diving across late because they never read the road signs) However, if a situation arises where to cross one means you avoid a colision, or are forced too, then you'd be unlucky to be done. (Maybe with better observation, the incedent could have been avoided to start with?
) Hatchings with a dotted line can be driven over but should be avoided. They are normally there for seperation/filter lanes. When turning right off a main road, they are used to give a safe refuge whilst waiting.
It is all in the HWC, you do have to look some times. It may just be a statement saying '..... do not cross a solid white line ......' Then, later in the book have a picture of crossed hatchings and not say anything. The HWC is good at things like that!
I just checked, all the info is on pages 28&29 in my copy which is about 2-3 years old. (Sad I know, but I needed a copy for the IAM traning
) The one on the nearside is called 'The Edge Line' I would avoid crossing if possible.
Paul.
One of the few questions I got wrong on last night's driving test thingy on ITV...
Apparently it is ok to overtake some items, crossing the white line, if you are doing less than 10mph....
Apparently it is ok to overtake some items, crossing the white line, if you are doing less than 10mph....
Highway Code said:www.highwaycode.gov.uk/10.shtml#108
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10mph or less.
streaky said:I think it's more to denote the edge of the carraigeway (as mentioned already it's called the edge line) and it may well be that the road is not maintained after that point and be full of holes and crumbly edges making it dangerous. OR in alot of cases they are painted in by councils trying to make the road appear narrower and therefore slowing traffic down because of drivers perception of the road.
Solid white line on the near side indicates Urban Clearway, which means No Stopping or parking on the verge. So yes in essence it means do not cross
It is my understanding that there are no road markings associated with Clearways. These are defined by street signs only.
The HC does not mention white lines on the nearside.
Streaky
There is an interesting thread on the subject of white lines here www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=35343&f=10&h=0, given the post by Bob the Bench 
you have to wonder if it is a problem to cross white lines at all (under the right circumstances of course ).
you have to wonder if it is a problem to cross white lines at all (under the right circumstances of course ).puggit said:Actually, you can be travelling at any speed up to the limit for the road in question (
One of the few questions I got wrong on last night's driving test thingy on ITV...
Apparently it is ok to overtake some items, crossing the white line, if you are doing less than 10mph....
Highway Code said:
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10mph or less.
), it is only the overtaken vehicle that has to be travelling at less than 11mph - StreakyGassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff