Almost all motorists know what a solid line and a broken line mean on the road. But what if there are two interrupted lane markings on the road? Sometimes even with a green stripe in between?
As a driver you see a lot in everyday traffic that you hardly notice, but all these traffic signs and road markings are there for a reason. When it comes to the lines on the road, everything seems pretty clear: a dotted line can be crossed, a solid line can’t. But there are also some special variants.
Solid line next to solid line
Occasionally, for example, one encounters a continuous line and a broken line next to each other. In those cases, the line next to you is decisive. If the line next to you is broken, you can overtake. If the line is drawn, you are not allowed to overtake. In addition, there is the double continuous line, which is the same as the single continuous line in terms of traffic law, but only serves to clarify the overtaking prohibition.
Double dotted lane marking
It gets more curious when there are two broken lines in the middle of the road. This only happens on 80 kilometer roads. You may overtake on roads with a double dotted center line, if conditions permit. It gets even more confusing when a green stripe runs between the broken lines. This is to indicate that the maximum permitted speed on this road is 100 km/h. This green is only supportive; the signs with 100 on it are normative.
Broken stripe with green in between
When the double line with green is broken, overtaking is allowed, although this can often be risky on a 100-kilometer road. If the double center line is continued, an overtaking ban applies. On these roads, the stripes along the side of the road are continued, in contrast to the side stripes on an 80-kilometer road, which are interrupted.
This means the stripes on the road
Single interrupted midline: overtaking is allowed, usually you are allowed a maximum of 60 km/h here
Double white broken stripe: maximum speed of 80 km/h and overtaking is allowed
Continuous double or single line: you are allowed a maximum of 80 km/h here and overtaking is prohibited
Double white broken stripe with green in between: maximum 100 km/h and overtaking is allowed
Continuous double line with green line in between: overtaking is prohibited and a maximum of 100 km/h
No stripes: You are allowed a maximum of 60 km/h here, watch carefully which part of the road is yours, overtaking is allowed
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