Overtaking On Double Whites
Discussion
I don't do it, never have, see plenty of bikes do and always think they are knobs for doing so, its a well deserved 3 points if you get caught.
An edit, yes I do it every time on the bike, but only when passing stationary or slow moving traffic.
An edit, yes I do it every time on the bike, but only when passing stationary or slow moving traffic.
Edited by Jazoli on Monday 6th September 18:54
I overtake loads of traffic on solid double white lines everyday...sometimes police cars too...
it's not illegal, there is nothing wrong with it... as long as you do it correctly....
Highway code rule 129.
I'm lucky/unlucky enough to have around 2 miles of tailbacks most working days that I go by when possible.
On a "normal" run though, I will wait until the double whites are finished to think about an overtake.
it's not illegal, there is nothing wrong with it... as long as you do it correctly....
Highway code rule 129.
I'm lucky/unlucky enough to have around 2 miles of tailbacks most working days that I go by when possible.
On a "normal" run though, I will wait until the double whites are finished to think about an overtake.
Edited by the cueball on Monday 6th September 16:06
Someone I knew use to do it regularly on his commute to work every weekday.( cross them whilst overtaking) Someone reported him and the cops were there one morning to follow , record and do him. Can’t remember what he got but he gave up biking not long after because he couldn’t resist being a naughty boy on his bike.
Stuart Fordyce said:
You can do it up to 15mph for passing things like tractors.
This, surprisingly little known rule. Bear in mind very few tractors are slower than about 28-30mph these days though. I've always filtered standing or walking pace traffic on double whites where it is safe to do so on the basis that they aren't doing more than 15mph. Not sure how that stands me with the BiB but I've got away with it thus far.Newarch said:
Stuart Fordyce said:
You can do it up to 15mph for passing things like tractors.
This, surprisingly little known rule. Bear in mind very few tractors are slower than about 28-30mph these days though. I've always filtered standing or walking pace traffic on double whites where it is safe to do so on the basis that they aren't doing more than 15mph. Not sure how that stands me with the BiB but I've got away with it thus far.
“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”
As above, I overtake stationary traffic, or slow moving vehicles/cyclists on double whites......at least when im on 2 wheels.
Or if the road is wide and you can overtake dawdlers without crossing the white lines.
Often i find around here in Lincs/Notts on wider roads with congestion the cars will move left to let bikes overtake without crossing the centre lines.
Otherwise I dont cross them, they are they for a reason and its an easy nick for an oncoming Police car that sees you doing it.
Where the confusion seems to arise is when does "filtering" become "overtaking" and therefore illegal over double white lines. Its not really clearly stated anywhere in the highway code, just alluded to being slow moving traffic. On advanced courses ive done the Police instructors have said "10-15mph" is slow moving, once traffic is doing 20-30mph you are just overtaking and should obey normal overtaking rules.
Or if the road is wide and you can overtake dawdlers without crossing the white lines.
Often i find around here in Lincs/Notts on wider roads with congestion the cars will move left to let bikes overtake without crossing the centre lines.
Otherwise I dont cross them, they are they for a reason and its an easy nick for an oncoming Police car that sees you doing it.
Where the confusion seems to arise is when does "filtering" become "overtaking" and therefore illegal over double white lines. Its not really clearly stated anywhere in the highway code, just alluded to being slow moving traffic. On advanced courses ive done the Police instructors have said "10-15mph" is slow moving, once traffic is doing 20-30mph you are just overtaking and should obey normal overtaking rules.
Stuart Fordyce said:
You can do it up to 15mph for passing things like tractors.
I think you will find it is specifically...horses pedal cycles and road maintenance vehicles as long as they are not exceeding 10 mph. And stationary vehicles. You can overtake anything as long as you do not cross or straddle the white line..on a bike this gives an abundance of overtaking opportunities...but beware the all encompassing 'dangerous driving'KTMsm said:
Obviously I know you're not supposed to but on a bike, past a dawdler... sometimes it's hard to resist
What are people's experiences - stopped and a telling off, 3 points or a careless charge ?
Has anyone been reported via dashcam ?
I received a notice of prosecution for crossing solid white road markings which stated was "witnessed" with a time,date and named road but no photo evidence included,when I questioned this I was told evidence would only be produced if I pleaded not guilty but if i did i would then not be offered the traffic awareness course so i thought sod it..! £88 and a 3 hour voom call end of and no points ....What are people's experiences - stopped and a telling off, 3 points or a careless charge ?
Has anyone been reported via dashcam ?
I used to never do it but in the last 10 years or so there's obviously been an abundance of free white paint made available to councils and highways agency as double lines have been appealing in loads of places where it's safe to overtake dawdlers in a car, never mind a bike. Often now double lines either side of a hazard rather than solid on approach and broken afterwards.
I now choose my moments but will cross if I can see it is safe to do so. Don't want to be reported/caught but view it like exceeding the speed limit.
The worry is that overtaking is becoming viewed as the new drink driving. Completely unacceptable whatever the circumstances.
I now choose my moments but will cross if I can see it is safe to do so. Don't want to be reported/caught but view it like exceeding the speed limit.
The worry is that overtaking is becoming viewed as the new drink driving. Completely unacceptable whatever the circumstances.
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