Question:
I was taught when I did (and passed) my drivers’ license over 50 years ago that a solid line (and double sold lines) were a “no overtaking” rules: a broken line on one side of a solid line was “only overtake, from broken line side, when road is clear and safe to overtake: a broken line in between 2 solid lines meant that one could overtake from either side if the road was clear and safe to overtake.
Now I see on your website that the double solid line with broken line in middle is a “No overtaking at all!!
Please explain why do we have the double lines if the single white line does the same job? Also if the rule has changed, when and how was it communicated to licensed drivers.
Answer:
I copy the legislation for you.
It was amended in 1993. The difference between a single and double line is highlighted for you.
You may not be on the other side of a double line under any circumstances. The double line could have a broken line in the middle, or a yellow line, The meaning remains the same.
| No overtaking marking:
COLOUR: White Indicates to the driver of a vehicle that— (a) subject to paragraph (b), he or she shall not drive his or her vehicle in such a manner that the vehicle or any part thereof, crosses such no overtaking marking, or is upon that part of the roadway to the right of such no overtaking marking when— |
RM1
|
Verbysteek verbode merk:
KLEUR: Wit Dui vir die bestuurder van ’n voertuig aan dat— (a) behoudends paragraaf (b), hy of sy nie sy of haar voertuig op so ’n wyse moet bestuur dat die voertuig of enige gedeelte daarvan die verbysteek verbodemerk mag kruis nie, of aan die regterkant van sodanige verbysteek verbodemerk mag wees nie, wanneer— |
| (i) the no overtaking marking is used in lieu of a dividing line marking; or
(ii) the no overtaking line marking is used together with a dividing line marking, and is to the left of such dividing line marking; |
(i) die verbysteek verbodemerk in die plek van ’n skeistreep gebruik word; of
(ii) die verbysteek verbodemerk gebruik word saam met ’n skeistreepmerk en links van die skeistreep merk is |
|
| (b) he or she may drive his or her vehicle in such a manner as to cross the no overtaking line— | (b) hy of sy sy of haar voertuig op so ’n wyse kan bestuur dat die voertuig die verbysteek verbode merk kruis— | |
| (i) to gain direct access to land on the opposite side of the no overtaking marking; | (i) om regstreekse toegang na ’n eiendom aan die teenoorgestelde kant van die verbysteek verbodemerk te verkry; | |
| (ii) to gain direct access from land to a portion of the public road; or | (ii) om regstreekse toegang vanaf eiendom na ’n gedeelte van die openbare pad te verkry; of | |
| (iii) to pass any stationary obstruction in the roadway,if it is safe to do so; | (iii) enige stilstaande obstruksie op die ryvlak verby te steek, | |
| (c) the no overtaking marking shall only be used between lanes of traffic travelling in opposite directions. | (c) die verbysteek verbodemerk slegs tussen bane verkeer, wat in teenoorgestelde rigtings ry, gebruik mag word. |
RM2 – No crossing marking / Oorsteek verbode merk
| No crossing marking:
COLOUR: White Indicates to the driver of a vehicle (a) he or she shall not drive his or her vehicle in such a manner that such vehicle or any part of such vehicle— (i) crosses such marking; or (ii) is on the right side of such marking; (b) the no crossing marking shall only be used between lanes of traffic travelling in opposite directions. |
RM2
|
Oorsteek verbode merk:
KLEUR: Wit Dui vir die bestuurder van ’n voertuig aan dat— (a) hy of sy nie sy of haar voertuig op so ’n wyse mag bestuur dat sodanige voertuig of enige deel van sodanige voertuig— (i) sodanige merk oorsteek nie; of (ii) op die regterkant van sodanige merk is nie; (b) die oorsteek verbode merk mag slegs tussen bane verkeer wat in teenoorgestelde rigtings ry gebruik word. |
As you can see from the significance, there are situations where the authorities do not want drivers to pass other drivers but still allows them to turn across into premises. The double line prohibits that completely.
The yellow line actually indicates an island that may not be crossed and is used for visibility on freeways where the speed limit is higher.
The broken line in the middle is largely been phased out. It is still allowed simply because there are areas where a broken line-solid line combination exists and the authorities then decide to also prohibit overtaking from the other side.
As these are SADC markings and approved for the entire region I do not think there are any plans to amend it.
Alta
Road Safety and Safely Overtaking Trucks! Before you Overtake Ask – Is it Legal? Is it Safe? Is it Necessary? https://t.co/0vcO4viJwj #SafeOverTaking #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/9eoH43ieRc
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 11, 2019