Laws on Hatched markings?

mikesaa309 · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Nov 2013 Karma :

Are motorcyclists allowed to use hatched markings to overtake if safe to do so? I know you can't if it's surrounded by solid white lines but the broken white lined hatched markings are you allowed to use to overtake? Looking online there seems to be mixed views on it.

DrSnoosnoo · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

If it's safe to do so, it's legal! Thumbs Up

____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Photos?

Read the highway code?

Wouldn't want to go over white painted areas in general, home to stray objects that puncture tyres and are like ice in the wet.

Raffles · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :

A BCFer that I know failed his driving test for straying into a hatched area Gagged

____________________
A good loser will always be a loser.

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

As said legal.
The hatched areas with broken white lines are designed to keep traffic apart. Around here they're used a lot to give a safe area for right turns.

As said by Paddy they're also an area where all the road debris gets put (think F1, if they go off the racing line they're in the marbles, rubber shredded from the tyres). So I wouldn't go on them unless I know the road or can see clean ish.

Also of course they're raised white lines so slippery when wet.

They are a useful filtering aid. Used plenty of times to make progress (even followed police bikes doing this, no they didn't have blues on). I recall on the A1035 out of Beverley towards the coast they're particularly useful.

wizzzard · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Karma :

Deerhound · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 12 Nov 2013 Karma :

Highway Code rule 130: Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.
- If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
- If the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5, 9, 10 & 16, MT(S)R regs 4, 8, 9 & 14, RTA sect 36 & TSRGD 10(1)

Source: https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-drivers-riders-103-to-158/lines-and-lane-markings-on-the-road-127-to-132

I suppose it depends on whether it is deemed 'necessary'.
____________________
CBT: 27th June 2013
Bike: 1997 Yamaha SR125

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

I failed my first bike test for NOT moving into a hatched area that was surrounded by a broken white line.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

There's no offence committed. When G did Bikesafe, the copper with him felt that it was necessary to make progress. Wink

However, if you balls it up, don't expect much sympathy.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike