white Cross hatching on road
Discussion
not having a copy of the highway code to hand, can someone anser this question.
at a local single carridgeway there is a bit of road that used to go
single lane, double lane, single lane,
with the double lane bit being either side of a junction with traffic lights.
now this is the only place to get passed some traffic for miles and the council in their wisdom have decided to paint hatched white lines on the second lane bringing the lights down to one lane. the line on the outside is broken not solid. now from memory that means i can cross it to overtake. if it was a solid line i couldnt as it acts in the same way as the line in the middle of the road.
so if im right whats to stop me pulling up in the second lane at the lights and sitting on the hatching and overtaking when the lights change.
not that i was pissed of yesterday and nailed it passed 4 cars a nd a lorry on the hatching yesterday when the lights changed
at a local single carridgeway there is a bit of road that used to go
single lane, double lane, single lane,
with the double lane bit being either side of a junction with traffic lights.
now this is the only place to get passed some traffic for miles and the council in their wisdom have decided to paint hatched white lines on the second lane bringing the lights down to one lane. the line on the outside is broken not solid. now from memory that means i can cross it to overtake. if it was a solid line i couldnt as it acts in the same way as the line in the middle of the road.
so if im right whats to stop me pulling up in the second lane at the lights and sitting on the hatching and overtaking when the lights change.
not that i was pissed of yesterday and nailed it passed 4 cars a nd a lorry on the hatching yesterday when the lights changed
Trying to visualise this so.......
Hatching on any road signifys a "ghost junction" in other words an area of road into which you cannot drive (overtake) in case a car ahead wishes to turn right at the junction (stops rear enders - oooerrrr missus).
Does this sound like your bit of road?
Hatching on any road signifys a "ghost junction" in other words an area of road into which you cannot drive (overtake) in case a car ahead wishes to turn right at the junction (stops rear enders - oooerrrr missus).
Does this sound like your bit of road?
no, basically the road splits into 3 bits at the junction each separated by a verge.
there is the opposite side of the road, a right turn lane,
and there were 2 lanes one straight on or left and the right hand one for straight on only.
the right hand lane now has white hatching on it with a broken white line at the edge.
does that make sense
a bit like the way they build a grat big round about and then put hatched at the edged to make it smaller.
there is the opposite side of the road,
and there were 2 lanes one straight on or left and the right hand one for straight on only.
the right hand lane now has white hatching on it with a broken white line at the edge.
does that make sense
a bit like the way they build a grat big round about and then put hatched at the edged to make it smaller.
you can go into the hatching if necessary...as you say, it's the line outside it that's important. The hatching is there to discourage use, bring focus to the junction, and give an escape route in potential crises (I think).
I really dont know what the situation would be if you just pulled up and sat in it though...sounds like taking the p*ss to me! (though I entirely understand your point)
Am sure one of our friendly Bib will clarify it all!
N
>> Edited by Nightmare on Friday 11th April 17:58
I really dont know what the situation would be if you just pulled up and sat in it though...sounds like taking the p*ss to me! (though I entirely understand your point)
Am sure one of our friendly Bib will clarify it all!
N
>> Edited by Nightmare on Friday 11th April 17:58
White hatching is meant to represent a solid reservation and as far as I know you shouldn't enter it at all. They use paint because it's cheaper then kerbing.
That said, if it's safe I now use/abuse it to get past numpties. There's to many hatchings & numpties on our roads. Both are there to slow us down as far as I can tell.
That said, if it's safe I now use/abuse it to get past numpties. There's to many hatchings & numpties on our roads. Both are there to slow us down as far as I can tell.
I belive that as some have said if there is a junction then the hatching is there to seperate it out. Solid lines are a no no. The broken hatching is now being used widely to put a wider gap between on coming traffic however a local newspaper article in Bristol said that if it was not a junction and not solid then overtaking was allowed.( A local councillor had complained because he had been overtaken on one) The rub was that these tend to be used on roads where accidents had happened and overtaking was not recommended. I would wait for Madcop for a difinitive answer.
Highway Code #109
Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.
If the area is bordered by a solid white line, you should not enter it except in an emergency.
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 on a motorway and consists of a triangle bounded by continuous white lines marked by chevrons, you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5, 9,& 10 & MT(S)R regs 4, 8 & 9
Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.
If the area is bordered by a solid white line, you should not enter it except in an emergency.
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 on a motorway and consists of a triangle bounded by continuous white lines marked by chevrons, you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5, 9,& 10 & MT(S)R regs 4, 8 & 9
> These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.<
well there isnt any right turning traffic, as the on comming traffic has no right turn.
and the right turn lane on my side is another lane on a different set of lights separated from the 2 left most lanes by a small grass verg..
if i can figure it out i might draw it tomorrow and post it
>> Edited by Graham on Saturday 12th April 00:36
well there isnt any right turning traffic, as the on comming traffic has no right turn.
and the right turn lane on my side is another lane on a different set of lights separated from the 2 left most lanes by a small grass verg..
if i can figure it out i might draw it tomorrow and post it
>> Edited by Graham on Saturday 12th April 00:36
PetrolTed said: You're entitled to use it. It's good for overtaking as most numpties think you're not allowed to enter.
Too true. In fact as I know that some feckwit in the council has done this to fool people into not overtaking I actually make a point of doing so at any possible opportunity. It's astonishing how many people this annoys beyond all reason though
I think the rules are clear. A solid line means you can't enter the hatching, while a dashed line means you can -- though obviously you do it carefully in case there's people turning right, etc.
So why are councils now putting double solid lines round hatchings? Is that because the councils don't understand the rules, or they think drivers don't understand, or what? It uses more paint, it makes the road look even more garish, and it just adds to the general confusion/tension in such areas.
Actually, it's interesting that in some places you could actually get into the hatched area legitimately, only to be stuck with double white lines each side of you which would technically prevent you from getting out again!
So why are councils now putting double solid lines round hatchings? Is that because the councils don't understand the rules, or they think drivers don't understand, or what? It uses more paint, it makes the road look even more garish, and it just adds to the general confusion/tension in such areas.
Actually, it's interesting that in some places you could actually get into the hatched area legitimately, only to be stuck with double white lines each side of you which would technically prevent you from getting out again!
A driving instructor speaks. 
Remember the Highway Code is only advisory, not compulsory, despite what BiB say. Breach of the Highway Code is therefore not an offence in itself, but will be cited as prima facie evidence of wrong doing. Evidence which can be rebutted by "I had to because..." although I don't think "Because I had to .. out accelerate a Metro/TVR/ whatever ..... which was only going at the NSL and so getting on my tits will really count"
As a result, crossing a solid white line is not in itself an offence, though I've seen Bib issue tickets for it, and gullable punters accept them.
As a result, crossing a solid white line is not in itself an offence, though I've seen Bib issue tickets for it, and gullable punters accept them.
bobthebench said: Remember the Highway Code is only advisory, not compulsory, despite what BiB say. Breach of the Highway Code is therefore not an offence in itself, but will be cited as prima facie evidence of wrong doing. Evidence which can be rebutted by "I had to because..." although I don't think "Because I had to .. out accelerate a Metro/TVR/ whatever ..... which was only going at the NSL and so getting on my tits will really count"
As a result, crossing a solid white line is not in itself an offence, though I've seen Bib issue tickets for it, and gullable punters accept them.
Class - there you have it from the horses mouth.
Editd to say: Ooh er, sorry Bob, I wasn't calling you a horse your honour
>> Edited by ultimasimon on Saturday 12th April 02:19
bobthebench said: Remember the Highway Code is only advisory, not compulsory, despite what BiB say. Breach of the Highway Code is therefore not an offence in itself, but will be cited as prima facie evidence of wrong doing. Evidence which can be rebutted by "I had to because..." although I don't think "Because I had to .. out accelerate a Metro/TVR/ whatever ..... which was only going at the NSL and so getting on my tits will really count"
As a result, crossing a solid white line is not in itself an offence, though I've seen Bib issue tickets for it, and gullable punters accept them.
Blimey, that's an eye opener.
So a ticket for crossing a solid line shouldn't be issued at all? It can only be used to support a charge of dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention etc?
Most road users think that the hatched areas with broken lines around them are mined (or should be, apparently).
Making reasonable progress along some of Surrey's roads on a Sunday requires you to either sit at 35 in a 40 zone or drive into the back of the numpty travelling deliberately at 47 in a 50. You know the sort: one eye on the mirror just daring you to have a go and then carefully edging out to give you no chance. Well occasionally I've taken to using the hatched areas (with broken lines) to get past these obstacles - safely, smoothly and without fuss apart from the frantic flashing of lights from the numpty I've just passed. However there's one thing to be aware of in using these 'mined' areas. Since these areas are rarely travelled across, they do collect all the crap that falls off numpties' cars - exhaust mounting brackets, manifold nuts, jubilee clips etc.
Hutch
Making reasonable progress along some of Surrey's roads on a Sunday requires you to either sit at 35 in a 40 zone or drive into the back of the numpty travelling deliberately at 47 in a 50. You know the sort: one eye on the mirror just daring you to have a go and then carefully edging out to give you no chance. Well occasionally I've taken to using the hatched areas (with broken lines) to get past these obstacles - safely, smoothly and without fuss apart from the frantic flashing of lights from the numpty I've just passed. However there's one thing to be aware of in using these 'mined' areas. Since these areas are rarely travelled across, they do collect all the crap that falls off numpties' cars - exhaust mounting brackets, manifold nuts, jubilee clips etc.
Hutch
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