Single and Double unbroken white lines

bobbyss · 20-08-2022 11:00PM #1

Quick query.

One unbroken white line on a road means do not overtake. Is that right?

What do two unbroken white lines on a road mean?

MrMusician18 · 20-08-2022 11:02PM

Don't overtake but it means that you are on stretch of road that permits single sided overtaking and you are between those locations.

Generally.

bobbyss · 20-08-2022 11:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119499884#Comment_119499884

I am not quite sure what is meant by that.

Where did you get your info from?

Flinty997 · 20-08-2022 11:05PM

"... Don't overtake x2.."

Princess Calla · 20-08-2022 11:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119499907#Comment_119499907

It's usually on a bend.

The line on "your" side dictates what you can do.

If it's completely solid you're not allowed to overtake. If it's a broken line on your side you can overtake. But oncoming traffic is not allowed to overtake as they have the solid line.

MrMusician18 · 20-08-2022 11:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119499907#Comment_119499907

A typical example of where you see double lines is on a broad N road approaching a flat crested hill. On the way up you'll have a solid on your side and a dash on the other. At the top you'll have double solid and on the way down you'll have a dash on your side and solid opposite.

The reason you have double solid at the top of the hill is because it usually indicates single sided overtaking ahead.

When overtaking conditions are the same on both sides for a considerable distance the traffic designer typically reverts to a single line system.

See traffic sign manual chapter 7

DarkJager21 · 20-08-2022 11:34PM

It's applicable to the other lane as well, dual unbroken means no overtaking from either lane.

Akrasia · 20-08-2022 11:46PM

You can only cross a white line when it's 'broken' on your side of the road

this is junior cert stuff

TheCrank · 21-08-2022 12:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119500103#Comment_119500103

Very true but sadly we don't teach this at Junior Cert. We do however spend a lot of time on Irish. We can all make up our own minds about which is more important.

Flinty997 · 21-08-2022 12:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119500128#Comment_119500128

You do a test before you get a licence, where you should learn all this. Doing it before then would be pointless.

alias no.9 · 21-08-2022 12:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119500037#Comment_119500037

Excellent explanation. General rule is that you obey the line closest to you, if it's solid, you don't cross, if it's broken, you can cross with the required caution.

Double continuous white lines usually lead up to and/or exit from a section where there will be a continuous white line for one side and a broken white line for the other.

Victor · 21-08-2022 03:07AM

It may also mean the road has cat's eyes and they didn't want to paint over the cat's eyes.

Jim_Hodge · 21-08-2022 07:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119500246#Comment_119500246

🤣🤣🤣

bobbyss · 21-08-2022 09:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119500103#Comment_119500103

I don't think you have read the question properly which was in essence what do two continuous white lines signify?

Del2005 · 21-08-2022 09:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119500576#Comment_119500576

No overtaking from either side of the road, but there will be sections ahead where one side can overtake but not the other so they'll have continuous and broken lines in.

Akrasia · 21-08-2022 09:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119500576#Comment_119500576

Two continuous white lines means neither side should overtake. Broken lines on one side means that drivers on the side with the solid line should expect that there may be cars overtaking on the other side of the road and be prepared for that, but they are not permitted to overtake.

Akrasia · 21-08-2022 09:56AM

Obvious exceptions aside for very slow moving or stationary obstacles (with additional care and attention due to elevated risk) or when instructed by a Garda or where there are roadworks or when turning off the road onto private property

mickdw · 21-08-2022 10:09AM

In simple terms,. You obey the line on your side of the road.

If both solid, it is the same as one solid line.

Why use 2 lines then?

It's due to changing conditions for either side of the road. Example coming out of bend onto straight, you should immediately have dotted line however for a car coming the opposite direction and nearing the end of the straight, there must be a solid line.

In theory a double solid line could be replaced by a single solid line in all situations where it arises however I'm sure the design code has some requirement re not jumping from double to single lines unless it can be retained for a reasonable distance.

seb114 · 21-08-2022 01:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058259693/single-and-double-unbroken-white-lines

"Single or double continuous white lines along the centre of the road

These divide two lanes of traffic traveling in opposite directions. All traffic must keep to the left of the line (except in an emergency or for access)"

Page 73 in Rules of the Road by rsa 😄

bobbyss · 21-08-2022 03:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119501429#Comment_119501429

Thanks.

The query was about the difference between single and double continuous white lines. I don't think P 73 explains the difference.

Alun · 21-08-2022 03:32PM

This is a difference between road markings here and in the UK. Over there I'm fairly certain I've never seen a single solid white line, only double ones. Maybe they're trying to save paint here or something :)

Regarding the instances where there's a dashed line on one side, and solid on the other side approaching bends or crests, that's something I've noticed seems to be done a lot less here than in the UK for some reason.

seb114 · 21-08-2022 05:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119501724#Comment_119501724

Based on info from "Traffic Signs Manual C7" they use double lines on roads wider than 6m

"7.3.15 Use of a Double Line System (as described in 7.3.28) should generally be avoided on roads less than 6.0m wide"

SuperBowserWorld · 21-08-2022 05:55PM

From what I've observed today ...

Single line means overtake quickly while checking Facebook.

Double like means overtake very quickly AND use the Force Luke.

I told ya · 23-08-2022 10:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058259693/single-and-double-unbroken-white-lines

Out of interest, do you have a driving licence or learner permit?

magicbastarder · 23-08-2022 10:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119501764#Comment_119501764

yeah, i think this can cause confusion; a single unbroken white line means the same as a double unbroken white line here.

i assume double lines are used on roads where there are locations that one direction might be permitted to overtake, so the relevant line can go from continuous to broken and back again as the need arises.

a single white line would thus be used on a road where there's no difference between what's permitted for either direction.