Double white lines - is it ever OK to cross them?
Discussion
Whilst on a work run in the company van, I came across a situation I'd not experienced before and did not know the answer.
On a 40mph zone, on a winding b-road I found myself behind a cyclist. Having been a keen cyclist before and a mo-ped owner, I'm very forgiving when passing bikes of any description and pride myself on doing the right thing.
The lane was quite narrow and with double white lines, I knew I could not cross and the width of the work van meant going side-by-side with the cyclist would be dangerous...
I slowed down to the speed of the cyclist and waited until a break in the double white lines to come up. After a good 2-3 minutes of continuous double whites and very, very impateint drivers behind I eventually got to a breif break in the lines - a turn off slip to the right!
I figured, it must be OK to cross the lines if there was an obstruction? But what do I deem an instruction...
No doubt it's written in black and white and you all know it, but I don't and yes, I could search for it but then if that's the case there will be nothing to talk about, ever!
Thanks in advance,
Ian
Edit;
Rule 129
You MUST NOT cross or straddle double white lines in normal driving. Exceptions are: if it is safe to do so and you need to enter premises adjoining the carriageway or a side road. In addition, it is permissible to cross the line as necessary and provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle. Or to overtake a horse, pedal cycle or road maintenance vehicle, only if they are not travelling at speeds greater than 16 km/h (10 mph). You can also cross double white lines when ordered to do so by a policeman in uniform.
Well, he was one of those blokes in lycra...doing around 16-18mph. I was right to follow, but by god it felt impossibly slow!
On a 40mph zone, on a winding b-road I found myself behind a cyclist. Having been a keen cyclist before and a mo-ped owner, I'm very forgiving when passing bikes of any description and pride myself on doing the right thing.
The lane was quite narrow and with double white lines, I knew I could not cross and the width of the work van meant going side-by-side with the cyclist would be dangerous...
I slowed down to the speed of the cyclist and waited until a break in the double white lines to come up. After a good 2-3 minutes of continuous double whites and very, very impateint drivers behind I eventually got to a breif break in the lines - a turn off slip to the right!
I figured, it must be OK to cross the lines if there was an obstruction? But what do I deem an instruction...
No doubt it's written in black and white and you all know it, but I don't and yes, I could search for it but then if that's the case there will be nothing to talk about, ever!
Thanks in advance,
Ian
Edit;
Rule 129
You MUST NOT cross or straddle double white lines in normal driving. Exceptions are: if it is safe to do so and you need to enter premises adjoining the carriageway or a side road. In addition, it is permissible to cross the line as necessary and provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle. Or to overtake a horse, pedal cycle or road maintenance vehicle, only if they are not travelling at speeds greater than 16 km/h (10 mph). You can also cross double white lines when ordered to do so by a policeman in uniform.
Well, he was one of those blokes in lycra...doing around 16-18mph. I was right to follow, but by god it felt impossibly slow!
Edited by GTP rpm on Wednesday 5th May 01:22
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