The center line of travel on any street should always be remembered when driving. This line indicates whether it is safe to pass vehicles in front of you, helping prevent unnecessary risk to yourself and other drivers. There are various yellow road line pavement markings, from single broken to double solid yellow lines – each serves to convey specific messages that must be respected according to law.
A single broken yellow line indicates that the center lane of a two-way, two-lane road is for passing only. This may be an ideal opportunity to pass someone on the right side, provided they have enough distance in front of them and no traffic coming towards them from behind or over your shoulder; always double check if this is safe before making the pass; if passing one vehicle from this broken yellow line again be sure to return to its right lane before trying it again.
If a double yellow line runs down the middle of a road, this indicates that no traffic may pass in either direction. Passing cars may be unsafe even if they’re moving slowly so it is wiser to wait until there is ample space on either side of you to move into left lane and overtake car safely.
Yellow lines may also be seen on roads with multiple lanes and one-way traffic, or streets with center dividers such as expressways. They may indicate special lane uses; for instance, one yellow line at the edge of right lane might signify reversible turn, while two solid yellow lines indicate they are meant for local traffic only and not allowed from entering through right side of road.
White traffic lines – be they broken or solid – may be crossed without penalty; however, yellow ones should only be crossed when making legal turns such as turning right from a two-way street into a driveway or parking lot and waiting until all approaching vehicles have passed before crossing over them.
Solid white lines on the right-hand side of a roadway usually indicate that drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and give way before turning or crossing an intersection. You should also give way to any vehicles parked or stopped in your path of travel that are impeding upon it – if in doubt about how best to proceed, check with local law enforcement agencies for guidance; once assured of how you should proceed safely reach your destination.
