Straddling white lines

ZG002 · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:24

Lord-Jaffa said:
Hold on a sec, are people really saying its safer to drive in the middle of the road because you can go faster and take corners at greater speed because you have to move less and have more visability?

I know there are a lot of morons on the road and now ive just proved myself right. How about you slow down and stick to the correct side of the road.

Try reading the thread properly next time mate

Jokester · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:24

Ed said:
I completely understand why, but I'll say again, if it's a safety thing then lowering speed has the same effect.

Would you do it in front of a police officer and be confident of explaining it?

Yes, because as I've said before, a traffic cop advised us that it's good practise.

laissez-faire, I notice you say you started doing it after your IAM course, was this something that was mentioned during that?

NickXX · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:25

I always straddle them if I get a better surface/more comfortable line round a corner so long as there's good visibility.

Clarkey · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:30

Lord-Jaffa said:
Hold on a sec, are people really saying its safer to drive in the middle of the road because you can go faster and take corners at greater speed because you have to move less and have more visability?

I know there are a lot of morons on the road and now ive just proved myself right. How about you slow down and stick to the correct side of the road.

how is it moronic?

Ed · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:30

OK, here's one:

There's some tight bends ahead and you can see clearly and safely through all of them, but, they have double white lines because of the tightness of the corners [I know of such conditions near me]. Do you still straddle and feel confident of explaining it if caught?

NickXX · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:31

Ed said:
OK, here's one:

There's some tight bends ahead and you can see clearly and safely through all of them, but, they have double white lines because of the tightness of the corners [I know of such conditions near me]. Do you still straddle and feel confident of explaining it if caught?

No, you shouldn't straddle double whites for any reason imo. They may be there due to a hazard you haven't seen.

Jokester · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:31

Ed said:
OK, here's one:

There's some tight bends ahead and you can see clearly and safely through all of them, but, they have double white lines because of the tightness of the corners [I know of such conditions near me]. Do you still straddle and feel confident of explaining it if caught?

You are not allowed to cross double white lines, except to overtake road users doing less than 10mph.

thefullcollapse · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:32

Ed said:
It's a weak argument for straddling though. Not every road has potholes forcing people into the middle. It's a visibility thing creating less steering input and a smoother ride. I get it, really, but come on, potholes?

hardly a week argument. clearly sometimes there may not be a need to straddle the lanes but a lot of camber and pot holes will limit the control you have over your car your car. pot holes dont force people into the middle, most people i know dont drive down the middle yet when in the car with them you can see the lack of control specially when it comes to braking. Other roads i drive down the middle for i do it purely for better vision and to stay out of the gutter

Ed · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:33

NickXX said:
No, you shouldn't straddle double whites for any reason imo. They may be there due to a hazard you haven't seen.

Double white lines don't indicate hazards though. It's for no overtaking.

NickXX · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:34

On some roads it is well worth avoiding the edge of the road - particularly if it's a bad surface and/or is muddy.

Ed · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:35

NickXX said:
On some roads it is well worth avoiding the edge of the road - particularly if it's a bad surface and/or is muddy.

Again, that's where common sense plays a part.

NickXX · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:35

Ed said:
Double white lines don't indicate hazards though. It's for no overtaking.

It might well be there to disallow overtaking because of a hidden hazard though - such as a concealed entrance.

Jokester · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:35

Ed said:
Double white lines don't indicate hazards though. It's for no overtaking.

You're committing an offence if you cross or straddle double white lines, with the exception of overtaking road users doing less than 10mph.

Clarkey · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:35

Ed said:
Double white lines don't indicate hazards though. It's for no overtaking.

no overtaking due to????

Jokester said:
You're committing an offence if you cross or straddle double white lines, with the exception of overtaking road users doing less than 10mph.

i'm pretty sure it's 15 actually [/pedant]

NickXX · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:36

Ed said:
Again, that's where common sense plays a part.

Obviously - common sense is a skill lacked by a huge number of drivers, clearly some have been contained within this thread.

Dogbreath · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:37

Ed said:
OK, here's one:

There's some tight bends ahead and you can see clearly and safely through all of them, but, they have double white lines because of the tightness of the corners [I know of such conditions near me]. Do you still straddle and feel confident of explaining it if caught?

Of course not, I don't think anyone here has suggested that it's ok to cross a solid white line?

I tend to use as much of the road I can to improve visibility if it's safe to do so, but I don't just drive down road in the middle for the sake of it. Comfort is a consideration though, I drive down a road everyday that has very deep recessed drains down one side that really crash the suspension, so I always drive down the middle if there is nothing comming.

Arguing about hidden junctions is rather silly though, if you are using the road properly then you have a better chance of seeing any traffic emerging more quickly.

laissez-faire · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:39

Jokester said:
Yes, because as I've said before, a traffic cop advised us that it's good practise.

laissez-faire, I notice you say you started doing it after your IAM course, was this something that was mentioned during that?

Yeah - I don't remember the details but it was something along the lines of 'when driving at night we teach a different style - i.e. take up your centre position and use all the available road'

NickXX · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:39

Dogbreath said:
. Comfort is a consideration though, I drive down a road everyday that has very deep recessed drains down one side that really crash the suspension, so I always drive down the middle if there is nothing comming.

Same.

Ed · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:41

Dogbreath said:
Arguing about hidden junctions is rather silly

That's ridiculous. Of course it's not. Most accidents happen at junctions.

Dogbreath said:
though, if you are using the road properly then you have a better chance of seeing any traffic emerging more quickly.

Define 'properly'.

div0 · 22 Feb 2008 at 18:48

From the highway code:

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, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 26]