Yellow lines on the road.

[MSTRS]

I'm tired of people on here bleating on about 'double yellow' lines and how it's illegal to cross them.
Read the fecking Road Code...
The only thing to remember about yellow lines is ... don't cross the one on YOUR side of the dotted white line.
If there are two yellows, then neither direction may cross.
If the yellow is on the other side of the dotted white line, then you may cross it. Assuming the way is clear, or course.

[CookMySock]

I'm tired of people on here bleating on about 'double yellow' lines and how it's illegal to cross them. [...] If there are two yellows, then neither direction may cross.uh, sounds to me thats what they meant.

Steve

[slofox]

I knew that...

[Ixion]

I think people refer to "double yellow ines" so often because, since the Insane Yellow Paint Maniac got loose from the asylum, mostly they are doubles. The single yellow is fairly rare up here, and usually the single ones are older ones. The new ones painted by the IYPM are almost always doubles.

[Chooky]

Yer dont cross the yellows.......205053

[MSTRS]

The 'sensible' motorist would be wondering why there is a yellow for the traffic in the picture at that point...
I see the frustration, and have felt it many a time myself.
Fact remains is that folks bleat on about double yellows as if they are somehow more important than a yellow on 'your' side.

[SILVER SUZI]

The piece of road in that picture is just south of Katikati (Bay of plenty). It's not as long as it looks and it's in a 100km/h zone. The traffic coming the other way is doing 100 as that corner is a sweeper, not sharp as it appears. it's a dodgy palce to be overtaking, but as half the residents of Tauranga can only do 60km/h I can understand how someone might be tempted to pass there.

[Maha]

Yer dont cross the yellows.......205053

There is area on SH16 that they have doubled the amount of yellow paint, a piece of that road not unlike the picture, though its on an slight incline.
I would not normally pass on double/single yellows but, I will on the bit of road of which I speak if I want/need to.
But I feel soooooooooooooo dirty.

[Taz]

I flit past on double yellows all the time.

[puddytat]

Yeah I know that but, I thought the whole point of either single or double yellows was to indicate that trying to pass in these areas is dodgey usually because of impeded vision?

[Scuba_Steve]

And remember its only illegal to cross them!
They're like the lines in soccer as against rugby, your tire must fully cross the yellow line on your side before you have breached the law.

[Mom]

Yeah I know that but, I thought the whole point of either single or double yellows was to indicate that trying to pass in these areas is dodgey usually because of impeded vision?

Up this way there was an over zealous application of double yellow lines seemingly over night. There is a long stretch of road a bit south of town that is commonly known as windy ridge. It is about 1 kilometre long and dead straight. I have been driving it for 30 odd years. One day I did my usual type of trip heading north and got behind some slow vehicles that I could not gather in and overtake on the preceding uphill overtaking lane. Rounding the corner onto windy ridge I indicated and took off overtaking these vehicles. Nothing coming at all. Then I spy these new friggen double yellow lines :shit: Where there was once only a yellow line on the southbound lane and a broken white line northbound, there were now two lines of unbroken yellow. Lucky for me I guess no plod were about as I was bang to rights overtaking on double yellows, but of all the stupid places to put them, that would take the cake. Seemingly any legitimate straight bit of road with good visibility up here now has the dreaded double yellows.

[Max Preload]

I'm tired of people on here bleating on about 'double yellow' lines and how it's illegal to cross them.

And they're not "NO PASSING" lines. You're allowed to pass as long as you don't cross them.


Yer dont cross the yellows...

Yep, pretty poor visibility there. I can see exactly why it's marked like that, eh... *need facepalm emoticon

[Swoop]

They are just like fluro vests...
Initially applied to areas where there was a hazard, now it is open slather and the importance or "mana" has been removed.

[Ixion]

Up this way there was an over zealous application of double yellow lines seemingly over night. There is a long stretch of road a bit south of town that is commonly known as windy ridge. It is about 1 kilometre long and dead straight. I have been driving it for 30 odd years. One day I did my usual type of trip heading north and got behind some slow vehicles that I could not gather in and overtake on the preceding uphill overtaking lane. Rounding the corner onto windy ridge I indicated and took off overtaking these vehicles. Nothing coming at all. Then I spy these new friggen double yellow lines :shit: Where there was once only a yellow line on the southbound lane and a broken white line northbound, there were now two lines of unbroken yellow. Lucky for me I guess no plod were about as I was bang to rights overtaking on double yellows, but of all the stupid places to put them, that would take the cake. Seemingly any legitimate straight bit of road with good visibility up here now has the dreaded double yellows.

The Insane Yellow Paint Maniac. coming to a road near you.

[yungatart]

The Insane Yellow Paint Maniac. coming to a road near you.

Nah, Ixion, he has already been there!

[Ixion]

Nah, Ixion, he has already been there!

He's been everywhere, man, he's been everywhere.

[MSTRS]

We stopped him at the border. But his sensible workmate has been allowed a splash or two.
Nor do we have those cheesecutter thingies...although someone missed the prick with the new armco posts.

[pzkpfw]

Anyone will notice that there are many many places where any person would be mental to cross the centre line (i.e. to pass someone) but there are no yellows. That's because these places are obviously unsafe to pass. (Perhaps because they simply don't afford the minimum clear-visible distance required by law.)

So the yellows don't mark all places that are "unsafe" to cross the line, just the places where someone somewhere has decided it's likely people will try - but where they perhaps shouldn't.

This means that many of these places might be very much on the "actually pretty safe" side of the story; after all - someone has decided enough people will try passing there, to bother putting the yellows down.

When that someone somewhere has decided to put those yellows there, who did he or she have in mind? The average driver of the average car? Possibly. They certainly were not thinking of a bike that can quickly zip 'round someone and be quickly back in their own lane.

Last week I was heading West on SH58, past the house-movers. In front was a car, and in turn that was held up by a RAV4 doing 80 km/hr in the 100 km/hr zone.

We get to the passing lanes. They are uphill (the wrong way for me). There used to be no yellows here, but a year or so back double yellows were put in to stop folk in the one lane downhill going into any of the uphill two lanes.

I had clear visibility, knew I'd be back in my lane before a car could come 'round the approaching corner, and there was only one car already coming the other way, firmly planted in (his) left lane.

Did I wait?


(And no, I'm not saying that all yellows are "safe" to cross. You'd be nuts to ignore them on an unfamiliar road, for example.)

[Jonathan]

(And no, I'm not saying that all yellows are "safe" to cross. You'd be nuts to ignore them on an unfamiliar road, for example.)

Like all the road rules eh - use your good judgement. If it is early in the morning and there is a red light on an empty intersection I wouldn't be bothered waiting. If there is double yellow lines on a long straight with no oncoming traffic for at least 100 meters, I would say you are safe to pass the the car going 80 you are stuck behind.

Just got to remember, if you do cross the double yellow line, no matter how safe it is, it is against the law so you can expect to be ticketed if a cop sees you do it. Also, it is more dangerous anyway because all other road users are not expecting you to do it.

[NighthawkNZ]

Well the yellow lines are not there to say "you are not allowed to pass", they are there as a warning not "to cross them" because technically you are allowed to pass if you do not leave your lane and do not cross the yellow line... however it is not advisable unless the vehicle you are passing has pulled over to give you room, even then be weary.

The average bike sitting position is higher than the average car sitting position (the average car drivers most likely don't know this) so on average bikers do see further than the car a head of you. (yes there are mor SUV's on the road now etc who are siting higher than the biker, and trucks get a clear view over the many brows way before cars and bikes as well as and some bikes are just as low if not lower than cars).

The yellow lines are designed around the lowest comman demoninator on the road (the average car) and "are there as a warning that there is a possible spot in the road that could easily hide an on coming vehicle" for the average vehicle on the road for what ever reason. It may look flat stright piece of the road but may not be the case, humps in the road can easily hide on coming vehicles.

Now remember you are suppose to have 100 odd metres clear space once you return to your side of the road and technically you are not allowed to go over 100kph even in a passing manouver (yes I know, but...) on a vehicle doing 90kph so do the math how long and far that would take to complete the manover and then add 100 metre for you clear view and space. So a lot of the shorter straight pieces of road are most likely no long enough to do this manouver, so as guide the yellow paint comes out.

[Pixie]

I think people refer to "double yellow ines" so often because, since the Insane Yellow Paint Maniac got loose from the asylum, mostly they are doubles. The single yellow is fairly rare up here, and usually the single ones are older ones. The new ones painted by the IYPM are almost always doubles.

That explains it.The Insane Yellow Paint Maniac is the guy that paints lines along the straight bits of road and ends them just prior to blind corners,like on Peak rd and SH 16.
I always wondered about that

[Berries]

I guess this thread started as a reaction to some of the comments about the cop doing a u-turn where there were single or double yellow lines. As far as I know, yellow solid lines are solely to say do not cross when passing another vehicle, see Section 2.9 of the Road User Rule. Section 2.5 refers to turning and there is no mention there of yellow lines at all.

Maybe a cop will chime in if there is a Precedent Code for turning right across a yellow line on your side, or double yellows, but I don’t think there will be one. I am occasionally the Insane Yellow Paint Maniac and have to say, the location of driveways for instance has no bearing on their application. If you have to paint 330m of yellow from the point where visibility is lost then you do so. I can think of scores of examples where people are forced to turn right over yellow lines and I don’t believe they would get done for it. It is not crossing them per se that is an offence, it is crossing them whilst overtaking other traffic that is the issue.

To touch on a couple of other points, Nighthawk is correct, these lines are set out based on a drivers eye height and are only supposed to be used for issues with vertical geometry, where it may not be obvious that there is a hidden dip (and where there are passing lanes and flush medians etc). NZ does not do no passing lines for horizontal geometry because you are supposed to know how much visibility you have in front of you. Great on a bike as you can wazz past someone and get back in very quickly, but no passing lines on the approach to corners may stop some of the really dodgy overtaking manoeuvres that we see. How far is 100m anyway ? I haven’t got a clue. If I can get round I can get round.

There is a now a push to put double yellows on sections of road that don’t have visibility problems related to vertical geometry. There is a great set of bends on the way to Queenstown where you can see quite clearly that nobody is coming and so can cut the corner safely. The Police have been known to sit and take photos of people who do this and ticket them, on the basis that if you cut the corners here you will cut the corners where you can’t see round and potentially have a head on. I don’t see the link myself. Anyway, they have now painted double yellows through the bends to save further arguments. Another good overtaking opportunity lost.

Anyway, I don’t often refer to the Road Code because it is not a legal document unlike the two Rules I mention above. Just had a look at it and found this -

Making a turn over a no-passing line

You can cross over the solid yellow no-passing line (if it is safe to do so) when making a turn to enter a driveway or side road.

However, bear in mind that no-passing lines are often marked where visibility is limited, so special care is required. It may be safer to turn further along the road, where visibility is better.

[Morepower]

In the good old days a yellow line meant that you had less than 100m of clear road ahead. Now they are meaningless , just means that some bureaucrat thinks that you should not overtake there. Another attempt to legislate for the lowest common denominator on the road ( and there is a few ) which leads to frustration for the reasonably competent drivers.

[quickbuck]

How far is 100m anyway ? I haven’t got a clue.

It is just a gnats over 3 and a half bananas at 100 km/hr.
It is actually quite short.... and in some cases when I ask myself was that too close... I find I have gaped the car i just passed by about 3 bananas....
Then think if i had to ask.. then chances are it was on MY limit...

As for all that paint... Well, yup, as long as you don't cross the line.. On a bike that opens you up for more opportunities... Especially if the cage drivers play nice.

The bit you found in the Road Code is VERY timely, considering the events of Sunday.

[MacD]

The yellow lines are designed around the lowest comman demoninator on the road (the average car) and "are there as a warning that there is a possible spot in the road that could easily hide an on coming vehicle" for the average vehicle on the road for what ever reason. It may look flat stright piece of the road but may not be the case, humps in the road can easily hide on coming vehicles.


That used to be the case, and may still be so in Dunedin. However, as others have noted, yellow lines have appeared everywhere on the roads north of Auckland. They no longer indicate the presence of an unseen or unexpected hazard but are being used to manage traffic behaviour by stopping people overtaking on perfectly straight roads with clear visibility.

[TimeOut]

And the worst part if you get caught (even if the passing manoeuvre was perfectly safe) is 50 DEMERITS

[davebullet]

Yer dont cross the yellows.......

Fark me. That White Toyota is amazing... how can it do 100kph backwards.? I gotta get me one of them.

[davereid]

They no longer indicate the presence of an unseen or unexpected hazard but are being used to manage traffic behaviour by stopping people overtaking on perfectly straight roads with clear visibility.

Same down here. In fact virtually all of the roads from Levin to Otaki, even to Waikanae, are now yellowed as a "traffic calming" measure. This includes places where the view ahead is entirely adequate to pass in full safety.

The same experts put a two lane roundabout in at Otaki, when there is only one lane in and one out.. with a pedestrian crossing right on the out.. and now they express surprise when there are delays !

[MSTRS]

This thread was sort of sparked by comments in the 'killer cop' thread, but has nothing to do with turning across the yellow/s.
Yes, we've always been able to turn in/out of a driveway and cross the yellow/s to do that. And yes, we've always been able to overtake if there's room without crossing the yellow/s.
I say again, there are a lot of people out there who seem to think that a double yellow is somehow more important than a single, and they do go on about crossing a double yellow as somehow the worse thing you can do...much worse than crossing a single yellow on your side.
If you are to ride/drive within the law, the only yellow you NEED to take note of is the one on your side of the median. The other one...that one...over there...belongs to the opposing lane and is for them to obey.
As for the need for yellows...the original intent has been well and truly highjacked by the traffic nazis, that's for sure. Which brings us to the frustration that causes. A whole other argument.

[yachtie10]

And the worst part if you get caught (even if the passing manoeuvre was perfectly safe) is 50 DEMERITS

Can be worse
can be a dangerous driving charge if you get a prick of a cop (has happened to my mother who is pretty cautious)

[yachtie10]

And the worst part if you get caught (even if the passing manoeuvre was perfectly safe) is 50 DEMERITS

Can be worse
can be a dangerous driving charge if you get a prick of a cop (has happened to my mother who is pretty cautious)

[Dutchee]

My parents used to live on a road with double yellows (two solid yellow lines, one for each side of the road, not to be confused with a yellow/white or white/yellow).
They were informed by someone in a uniform that for them to turn into their driveway from the other side of the road was illegal. They had to go up the road, turn into a side road and then head back, so that they didn't "cross" the double yellow lines.
Don't think they ever got a ticket for it (or any of their neighbours), but thought that was a bit over the top, but actually also makes sense.
Then again, when I lived with them, I got sick of phoning 111 for the next clown who'd lost it on the road, and I don't think the person on the other end of the phone was impressed when I mentioned I hoped someone would die so that they'd do something about the bloody road.

[ukusa]

They are just like fluro vests...
Initially applied to areas where there was a hazard, now it is open slather and the importance or "mana" has been removed.

good point, just like Tsunami warnings

[MSTRS]

Like all the road rules eh - use your good judgement. If it is early in the morning and there is a red light on an empty intersection I wouldn't be bothered waiting. If there is double yellow lines on a long straight with no oncoming traffic for at least 100 meters, I would say you are safe to pass the the car going 80 you are stuck behind.

Just got to remember, if you do cross the double yellow line, no matter how safe it is, it is against the law so you can expect to be ticketed if a cop sees you do it. Also, it is more dangerous anyway because all other road users are not expecting you to do it.

'You' are precisely why I started this thread...

[Max Preload]

And the worst part if you get caught (even if the passing manoeuvre was perfectly safe) is 50 DEMERITS

35 demerit points.


They were informed by someone in a uniform that for them to turn into their driveway from the other side of the road was illegal. They had to go up the road, turn into a side road and then head back, so that they didn't "cross" the double yellow lines.

That's wrong. It's only unlawful if passing. There is no specific offence when you are crossing to turn.

[breakaway]

The 'sensible' motorist would be wondering why there is a yellow for the traffic in the picture at that point...
I see the frustration, and have felt it many a time myself.

Because a econobox 1.3 corolla can't get from 100 to 200 and then safely back down to 100 in the blink of an eye like a bike could.

[bogan]

Because a econobox 1.3 corolla can't get from 100 to 200 and then safely back down to 100 in the blink of an eye like a bike could.

exactly, mark the roads for the lowest common denominator of road users, then police everyone down to thier level.

Which is why I look at the yellows as more of a suggestion than a rule :shifty:

[Max Preload]

Because a econobox 1.3 corolla can't get from 100 to 200 and then safely back down to 100 in the blink of an eye like a bike could.

But that should be up to the driver of any specific vehicle to determine and if they cannot they shouldn't be driving. Otherwise, what is the standard for determination? 1.3L Corolla? Citroen 2CV? Why should we all be held to the lowest common denominator all the time?

[MSTRS]

Because a econobox 1.3 corolla can't get from 100 to 200 and then safely back down to 100 in the blink of an eye like a bike could.

What about a GN250? I don't see many of them able to get up to 200 'in a blink of an eye'...
Surely, the operator of the vehicle must be able to make a decision based on what they know thier vehicle can reasonably do?

[ukusa]

exactly, mark the roads for the lowest common denominator of road users, then police everyone down to thier level.

Which is why I look at the yellows as more of a suggestion than a rule :shifty:

just like the 75kph bend which can realistically still be taken at 100

[MSTRS]

just like the 75kph bend which can realistically still be taken at mumblemumble

There - I've fixed that. For the sake of truth, at least.

[NighthawkNZ]

just like the 75kph bend which can realistically still be taken at 100

Again the lowest common denominator for cornering large vehicles and trucks

They are there for the large vehicles on the road... and they are not a speed limit they are there to advise the the corner ahead can safely be taken at (posted speed) by a large vehicle including truck and trailer units, with out rolling the vehicle and still be a comfortable ride.

Smaller vehicles like cars and bikes yes can still take them at the open road speed limit if you are comfortable at doing so...

When they decide the speed limit for a corner the vehicle has roll indicators so the can work out the best speed.

[Squiggles]

Do as i say not as i do.

:lol:

[Berries]

When they decide the speed limit for a corner the vehicle has roll indicators so the can work out the best speed.

Roll indicators makes it sound a bit more technically advanced than the antiquated pre-war method that is used.

[Pixie]

Roll indicators makes it sound a bit more technically advanced than the antiquated pre-war method that is used.

Yeah,a ball bearing on a curved track

[MSTRS]

Yeah,a ball bearing on a curved track

Don't they use the gonk hanging off the mirror anymore? Wow, where will it all end? This modernisation stuff never fails to impress...

[Swoop]

Don't they use the gonk hanging off the mirror anymore? Wow, where will it all end? This modernisation stuff never fails to impress...
Gonks are damned hard to get these days. I recently had to take mine into work to show someone what it was!

[Bald Eagle]

Gonks are damned hard to get these days. I recently had to take mine into work to show someone what it was!

A length of knitting wool sellotaped to the outside of the gliders canopy worked wonders ... in the day

[varminter]

Personally I like all the yellow lines, there should be many more of them and on all roads.

Signed.

The amalgamated yellow road paint manufacturing co.

[MSTRS]

Personally I like all the yellow lines, there should be many more of them and on all roads.

Signed.

The amalgamated yellow road paint manufacturing co.

I'm amazed that you still have greenies under your name...