Single carriageway, 4 lanes, overtaking?

[r129sl]

Overtaking question.

There are many single carriageway roads with two lanes in each direction, making four in total.

Lanes one and two in each direction are separated by the usual widely spaced dashed single white line, while in the middle a close-spaced--but still dashed--single white line separates opposing lanes of traffic.

Assuming an absence of on-coming traffic and other hazards that might rule out an overtake, is it legal to overtake on the "wrong" side of the road? in otherwords, is it legal to overtake traffic in lane 2 by crossing the dashed centre line?

[selwonk]

Here are the rules:

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Single carriageway
114: Where a single carriageway has three lanes and the road markings or signs do not give priority to traffic in either direction

use the middle lane only for overtaking or turning right. Remember, you have no more right to use the middle lane than a driver coming from the opposite direction do not use the right-hand lane.

115: Where a single carriageway has four or more lanes, use only the lanes that signs or markings indicate.

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Doesn't make it crystal to me, so good question...

[vonhosen]

r129sl said:

Overtaking question.

There are many single carriageway roads with two lanes in each direction, making four in total.

Lanes one and two in each direction are separated by the usual widely spaced dashed single white line, while in the middle a close-spaced--but still dashed--single white line separates opposing lanes of traffic.

Assuming an absence of on-coming traffic and other hazards that might rule out an overtake, is it legal to overtake on the "wrong" side of the road? in otherwords, is it legal to overtake traffic in lane 2 by crossing the dashed centre line?

I presume you are talking about a Hazard line for the centre of the road ?

If so, yes if safe.

Edited by vonhosen on Tuesday 4th September 17:55

[goskins17]

As long as you do not cross a solid white line, then no problem. No offense of crossing solid white line.

[arryb]

How about if there are 2 lanes going the other way, one yours with the usual dashed one side, solid the other line between lanes for one direction and the other. If safe to do so, is it allowable to move across the lines into the lane furthest from you to overtake 2 cars? Sorry for the hijack....

[vonhosen]

arryb said:

How about if there are 2 lanes going the other way, one yours with the usual dashed one side, solid the other line between lanes for one direction and the other. If safe to do so, is it allowable to move across the lines into the lane furthest from you to overtake 2 cars? Sorry for the hijack....

If the line is broken against you & solid against lane 2 of 2 the other way, the whole road is for your use if safe & only the two lanes in their direction are for their use.

[henrycrun]

Before the Braintree bypass was finally converted from single to full DC, there were 4 lanes, 2 in each direction. And yes, 3 simultaneous overtakes in the same direction in true Hollywood style have been observed.......

[GPSHead]

If there's someone coming the other way in the left lane (as far as they're concerned), is it still completely legal to use the other oncoming lane? What if you both indicate to go into that lane at the same time; does either one of you have priority?

And if there's someone coming the other way in the right hand lane (as far as they're concerned), presumably it isn't legal to use the lane on your far right to go around them, even if it's done safely? Assuming it's not legal, why exactly isn't it?

I should add that the latter question is purely out of curiosity, having never observed or taken part in such an event....

[vonhosen]

GPSHead said:

If there's someone coming the other way in the left lane (as far as they're concerned), is it still completely legal to use the other oncoming lane? What if you both indicate to go into that lane at the same time; does either one of you have priority?

And if there's someone coming the other way in the right hand lane (as far as they're concerned), presumably it isn't legal to use the lane on your far right to go around them, even if it's done safely? Assuming it's not legal, why exactly isn't it?

I should add that the latter question is purely out of curiosity, having never observed or taken part in such an event....

Neither should assume priority, but you clearly sound like you are saying it's 1 lane away & 2 towards (as you say the other on coming lane) & that's how you should view it. We're gradually seeing less & less of these markings because people get it wrong too often.

If you overtake one ahead, whilst passing one towards down their nearside, I can't see it being considered a safe move (even if it doesn't result in an actual collision), it's far too risky.
It isn't a specific offence but it would be viewed as a Sec 2/3.