What should you do when an emergency vehicle is behind you, but the road has double white lines in the middle? The answer may not be what you expected.
Double white lines mean overtaking is prohibited. If you are being followed by an emergency vehicle, such as a police car, ambulance or fire engine, the driver will probably switch off the blue lights and siren.
You should continue driving within the speed limit until clear of the solid white lines. When the siren and blue lights come on behind you, that’s your cue to let the vehicle go past.
Rule 129 of the Highway Code states: ‘Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road.
‘You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10mph or less.’
Although this isn’t related specifically to the question about emergency vehicles, it does mean that crossing a solid white line, even while overtaking a tractor at 15mph, would break the law.
This short video from GEM Motoring Assist explains how to let an emergency vehicle past when there is a solid white line along the middle of the road.
‘Main cause of confusion’
GEM chief executive Neil Worth said: “The research we conducted told us that solid white line systems were one of the main causes of confusion, along with traffic light junctions and roundabouts.
“Having such a large number of people taking the time to watch this video must be good news for road safety. By fostering a better understanding of the rules of the road, and how an emergency driver wants us to assist, we play our part in reducing risk, minimising delay and perhaps even saving a life.”
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Sir as a retired wagon driver with 40 years experience I would not get back in the cab on footballers wages The conditions are shocking dirty cafe,s filthy showers I would not wash my Wellington’s.dangerous parking with no chance of a restful sleep try and sleep in a lay by
When you SHOULDN’T allow an emergency vehicle to overtake – Feedback
You have two incorrect statements in your article “Double white lines mean overtaking is prohibited” this is incorrect as you later go on to detail “Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle” as an example you have 2 lanes heading up a hill and one coming down the hill in the opposite direction, these three lanes will most likely be separated by a double white line system, you could call lane one heading up the hill a crawler lane where you can overtake anything moving slower in lane one while not crossing the solid white line therefore overtaking is permitted, it’s the crossing or straddling which is prohibited.
Error two “it does mean that crossing a solid white line, even while overtaking a tractor at 15mph, would break the law.” A tractor by default is not a road maintenance vehicle and therefore overtaking it on solid white lines is not permitted even if it were travelling at 10mph or less. Road maintenance vehicle should have a keep right arrow and the sign “Highway Maintenance” This text must be a minimum of 70mm high for temporary traffic management vehicles and 140mm for all other vehicles carrying personnel or equipment.
129
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 26.
‘You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle’. Stationary vehicles means stopped vehicle not necessarily road maintenance vehicle.
Per Rule 129 as you quote “You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle,…” it seems fairly obvious that it would be perfectly legal to come to a dead stop to allow an emergency vehicle to pass.
Pendants may argue that kerb side markings would also be relevant as to whether you may stop at all, but I’d suggest that common sense should apply.
A considerate road user should do all within their power to enable an emergency vehicle on call (siren and or lights) to pass; without further consideration it should be presumed their journey is of greater importance than yours.
I doubt any court would disagree, regardless of local technicalities, providing you explain your reasoning.
Overtaking prohibition are placed for reasons, and one of them is reduced visibility. By stopping, you are making the emergency vehicle take increased risk to overtake you when they might not be able to see far enough.
$$ 10 mph it’s faster than 15 kph $$. You’re preaching to the converted. In every day life as a nation we are juggling three ( 3 ) levels of government plus statutory authorities that are vying for our hard earned and total control. Apply “all laws” uniform Australia wide instead of putting revenue above commonsense and safety.
When see a blue light behind you or flashing in your mirrors when you hear it coming towards you