Traversing single cariageway lane separators. OK or not?

[m4rk]

Hi,

I used travel on a single carriage road where I often got flashed for overtaking slower drivers. It seemed the road hoggers were angry that I overtook them by crossing the central white hashed lane separator even though these were bounded by a single broken white lines. The road in question was long, straight, with good visiblity, out of town with few hazzards. (Bedford to Northampton M way junction main A road... 10 or more years ago) I know it is illegal to cross the lane separators when they are bounded by a solid white lines but is it legal to cross lane separators when they are bounded by a broken white lines?

[m4rk]

mmm-five said:

They're just there as an advisory central reservation - use them as you will (except at junctions of course) and wave to the numpties holding everyone else up.

Thnaks that's what I thought. A nice safe overtake and I get angrily flashed at Sadly it seemed that many, many drivers were unaware of the difference when they have broken white lines

[m4rk]

vonhosen said:

How do you know their indication of distaste was because of your actions relative to the road markings ?

Well I didn't stop those particular drivers to ask but I have raised the subject down the pub on a few occasions and sadly found that many (most) do not realise that you can cross them legally, that includes my girlfirend

Also, it happended many times when, I as I have said, I safely, courtesly overtook (if that's possible these days) without any problems but still they flash me. I only got flashed when on roads with the previously mentioned markings. Couldn't find another reasonable explanation. Like I said long and straight, no need for any hasty, poor manouvers.

Edited by m4rk on Tuesday 8th July 20:28

[m4rk]

Vaux said:

7db said:

m4rk said:

I know it is illegal to cross the lane separators when they are bounded by a solid white lines...

You'd be amazed at the real answer...

HC 165 says it's a MUST NOT to overtake if you would have to enter an area designed to divide traffic, if it is surrounded by a solid white line.

The old HC 109 talked about not entering except in an emergency.

Is your point that if you're not overtaking, you can cross the line?

I thought it was OK to cross the broken white lines to overtake but as so many drivers beleive it is not I came here to see what the consensus of the knowledgeable people here think. If its not so clear, even to ypu guys, then its no wonder there's some misunderstanding in the general public. I am quite willing to accept I was wrong but in that case I would be saddened that on so many good overtaking roads I would be prevented from making a safe overatke because of lane separators.

[m4rk]

matt0677 said:

highway code, rule 130 here:

* if the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so
* if the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...

Can overtaking be counted as necessary then or not? I can see why there is so much rage about when the rules are not clear to all and open to debate.

Edited by m4rk on Wednesday 9th July 10:11