Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Double white line question

[Loz]

Originally posted by andyb
I was in fact on a job 3 week Advanced Motorbike course, which im pleased to say i passed on Friday.

Congrats, Andy!

Originally posted by andyb

As a general rule, overtaking on a solid white line against, is
a no no, except when you fit the criteria in the highway code.

As a general rule? It might be just the way I'm reading you, but this seems ambiguous. Either it's a hard and fast rule, no exceptions (except those specified in the Highway Code), or it's a "general rule", implying that there are non-specific exceptions (i.e. it's wide open to interpretation). A different example: the difference between DWDC&A and Dangerous Driving is subject to a certain degree of interpretation, but the difference between travelling within a legal speed limit and an in excess of this is a matter of plain fact, no interpretation required.

Originally posted by andyb

Even then, and i know your bmw overtake didnt fit into the criteria, if you start to put into the equation other factors like you say, (and in particular left hand bend) then you very much experienced the consequences.

With regard to left hand bends, although I would never say never, you have to look at the amount of unseen view, and how much this would increase as you move out to overtake.

One of us is way off base here! When I talk about a left-hander, I mean that the road is going to the left - as you pull out towards the centre line, your viewing angle means you see further around the corner, not less!!! I think you are thinking of a right-hander

Originally posted by andyb

We are very lucky on bike to have so much squirt, that you just know youll get by it very soon any way, so why risk a 9/10s overtake when around the corner will be a 10/10s view, so much more disciplined?

I tend to agree with you - the only difference is how each of us measures those "/10's". I'm not talking about balls to the wall red-line overtaking, it's more to do with "making progress" safely and swiftly

Originally posted by andyb

Compare the view, and in particular the early view, you can get on a right hand bend. This is where i would be looking to pass.

Swap right for left, then I agree (as discussed above)

Originally posted by andyb

So in answer to your question i would advise against it, for what my sixpenneths worth.

On the approach to a right-hander, agreed. But, on left handers and straight bits governed by a double-white, I am happy to exercise my own judgement - but I still would want to know whether I am breaking the law.