moral question: when is it ok to cross double yellow?

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Funny how the first instinct of most people is to just assume a behaviour they do not approve is also illegal.

In the case of ducati rider though, he's just being a tool. On the street, if you need to cross the line in a turn, you're either going too fast for the road conditions (wet, sand, gravel, potholes, etc) or you're going too fast for your skill. There is no other reason to cross the line that I can think of.
 
ducati rider said:
ok, sometimes people "thought" the way was clear but it actually was not. but what if, a person "thought" the way is clear, and in reality, the way IS clear... how about that?
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Look at this way. If a bad crash happened while you were on the other side of the double yellow on a corner, how will you justify your presence there? If you are not able to demonstrate that your presence there reflected what a reasonably prudent person would do in the circumstances, welcome to a careless driving charge. If things turned out real bad, welcome to a dangerous driving causing death or injury charge, or even criminal negligence causing death or injury, each of which can carry a penalty of up to life imprisonment.
 
jay-d said:
Oh snap! I always believed it was illegal.. there's nothing in the HTA? Not saying you're a liar or anything, but would like to see some evidence or facts?
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Try reading in the HTA sub forum for more info.

Btw - be aware, that solid double lines are usually near hills and corners, so if you get caught it's because of dangerous driving near one of those things... And not the fact you crossed the line (s)
 
croco said:
Funny how the first instinct of most people is to just assume a behaviour they do not approve is also illegal.

In the case of ducati rider though, he's just being a tool. On the street, if you need to cross the line in a turn, you're either going too fast for the road conditions (wet, sand, gravel, potholes, etc) or you're going too fast for your skill. There is no other reason to cross the line that I can think of.
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Not sure why u need to call OP a tool. Since he actually hasn't done anything. Should a person be judged for his thoughts? Have u ever got mad at someone and thought about punching his face in? Should the whole world label you as a murderer because of your thoughts? Grow up.
 
Is it legal to cross a solid single yellow to pass in oncoming (if clear of oncoming)?

Sorry, already answered in a previous post. Crossing solid yellows can be legal.

We used to do this in the UK at huuuuge line ups at red lights. Since on coming was also held at a red light, we would just ride down the oncoming lane (clear) and go to the front of the line. Perfectly legal and commonly done.

Seems it could be the case here too.
 
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I don't think passing on a double yellow is illegal. Dotted passing lanes are there to indicate safe passing distance for a car. Anytime your on the left hand side of the road you are then responsible for anything that happens, double yellow or not. Some roads don't even have lines, if you cross the center your the one causing the accident.

I would pass anytime if it looked safe. Hell might even be safer because most people don't cross it lol
 
I like to colour inside of the lines. It shows that I'm better than you.
 
Wheelieboy said:
If I'm not mistaken, I believe there is an HTA charge for not driving in marked lanes. Emphasis on driving (not passing)
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Not quite....that's just what cops write on the ticket "failure to drive in a marked lane", but that's a bad paraphrasing of 154 which actually doesn't imply quite the same meaning. It doesn't mention passing as the reason to leave the lane, nor does it exclude the ability to do so. It speaks of "practicable" (vague), and "safe" (judgment call).

If I feel the only way I can pass 100 cars at a light is to leave my lane, and I determine it is safe then technically I am within the law. i.e. it is not praticable to stay in my lane and still pass all these cars. Do I have the right to pass? Surely, who says I don't (if it is safe)?!?!

To argue it was not practicable is baseless as then any cop can argue you had no need to pass, therefore leave one's lane, even before assessing safety.

First and foremost you assess a practical (subjective) reason to leave your lane, then judge it's safety (subjective), then it's legal.

When cops write "failure to drive in a marked lane" this is just plain inaccurate short hand and they often fail to understand the law.

Where highway divided into lanes
154. (1) Where a highway has been divided into clearly marked lanes for traffic,
(a) a vehicle shall be driven as nearly as may be practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety;
(b) in the case of a highway that is divided into three lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in the centre lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and the centre lane is clear of traffic within a reasonable safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn, or where the centre lane is at the time designated for the use of traffic moving in the direction in which the vehicle is proceeding and official signs are erected to indicate the designation;
(c) any lane may be designated for slowly moving traffic, traffic moving in a particular direction or classes or types of vehicles and, despite section 141, where a lane is so designated and official signs indicating the designation are erected, every driver shall obey the instructions on the official signs. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 154 (1).
Exception
(2) Where safety is not jeopardized, clauses (1) (b) and (c) do not apply to road service vehicles and clause (1) (c) does not apply to road-building machines or apparatus while engaged in the construction of a highway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 154 (2).
 
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i'm noticing some hostility towards to OP and for those of you who do not know the road rules i believe you should NOT speak on the matter.

"In Canada, a double-yellow line in the center of the road means that it is unsafe for traffic traveling in either direction to pass. It is usually found on rolling hills or through corners where visibility is limited."

There is no law stating that you cannot cross a double yellow line, in the case you do and cause an accident, you are 100% at fault and 100% in the wrong. To cross a double yellow line you are to be aware of hard to see oncomming traffic. Other than that you can proceed with caution (as the OP stated) and do as you please.

its sad that many of you are m2 and m drives and do not know this...tsk tsk
 
alaywa said:
Not quite....that's just what cops write on the ticket "failure to drive in a marked lane", but that's a bad paraphrasing of 154 which actually doesn't imply quite the same meaning. It doesn't mention passing as the reason to leave the lane, nor does it exclude the ability to do so. It speaks of "practicable" (vague), and "safe" (judgment call).

If I feel the only way I can pass 100 cars at a light is to leave my lane, and I determine it is safe then technically I am within the law. i.e. it is not praticable to stay in my lane and still pass all these cars. Do I have the right to pass? Surely, who says I don't (if it is safe)?!?!

To argue it was not practicable is baseless as then any cop can argue you had no need to pass, therefore leave one's lane, even before assessing safety.

First and foremost you assess a practical (subjective) reason to leave your lane, then judge it's safety (subjective), then it's legal.

When cops write "failure to drive in a marked lane" this is just plain inaccurate short hand and they often fail to understand the law.

Where highway divided into lanes
154. (1) Where a highway has been divided into clearly marked lanes for traffic,
(a) a vehicle shall be driven as nearly as may be practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety;
(b) in the case of a highway that is divided into three lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in the centre lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and the centre lane is clear of traffic within a reasonable safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn, or where the centre lane is at the time designated for the use of traffic moving in the direction in which the vehicle is proceeding and official signs are erected to indicate the designation;
(c) any lane may be designated for slowly moving traffic, traffic moving in a particular direction or classes or types of vehicles and, despite section 141, where a lane is so designated and official signs indicating the designation are erected, every driver shall obey the instructions on the official signs. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 154 (1).
Exception
(2) Where safety is not jeopardized, clauses (1) (b) and (c) do not apply to road service vehicles and clause (1) (c) does not apply to road-building machines or apparatus while engaged in the construction of a highway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 154 (2).
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+ 1 dude......+1
 
The knowledge (or lack thereof) of the rules of the road in Ontario is astounding to read here.
 
ducati rider said:
Yeah, too many armchair quarterback guys on gtam. lol
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As in every forum, everyone has an opinion. You asked a question and people gave you their answer. Take what you read with a grain of salt, decide for your self and ride safe.
 
he can make it around....mostly
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If you need to play that game then find some ramps. That way everyone is going in the same direction. Although I've seen bikes come flying off ramps where there was lots of visibility and almost run into the back of a cage waiting for the light.
 
My take on it is that it's legal but in many cases it's unsafe. Alright to do when safe, and with bikes, it's safe in many circumstances where it would not be for a cage, but you really have to exercise sound judgment.
 
Maybe somebody could post that video of Juancho following, then passing that OPP cruiser on a solid line road. Now, that!, took balls of steel.

I would post it, but I can't find it.

.
 
FiReSTaRT said:
My take on it is that it's legal but in many cases it's unsafe. Alright to do when safe, and with bikes, it's safe in many circumstances where it would not be for a cage, but you really have to exercise sound judgment.
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Actually it isn't legal, not because of the solid line, but because of the corner. HTA 149 (1).
 
It may or may not be legal but not because of the lines. Yellow lines ARE advisory.
If you get a ticket it will be based on other factors. It is definitely easier getting one when there are solid lines but people seem to not realize that even in the passing zones you can still get one if you're executing an unsafe manouver.

This guy Simon explained it a while ago, he used to post here at GTAM too:

http://simonborys.wordpress.com/2010/05/01/is-it-illegal-to-pass-on-a-solid-yellow-line/
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