Crossing a yellow line

magnatic · Jul 12, 2009

In Ontario, a yellow sign or line means it is "cautionary". You can cross a yellow or double yellow and not get a citation (some LEO's still write them but they don't stand up in court), but if you cross the line and cause an accident, then you will be charged because you did not heed the warning. Likewise, a yellow sign indicating a lower speed than that posted on a regular white speed limit sign is a warning to slow down due to bumps, on or off-ramp, sharp curve, etc. Again, you can't be cited for driving faster than the speed on the yellow sign unless you cause an accident, and then only because you did not heed the cautionary warning.

On a recent trip to the Smokies, I was surprised to learn that in some states, a yellow line means "do not cross or be cited". Is this the case in most states?

Murgie · Jul 12, 2009

Yes, it is. Here in my state (WV) you could be cited for taking a left pulling out of, lets say a business (gas station, etc) and if you cross the double yellow line you could be be cited. I doubt that is enforced very much but if you take a look at a lot of crossings, you may see the breaks in the yellow lines to allow legal left turns.

Guest · Jul 12, 2009

To the best of my knowledge, it is illegal to cross double yellow lines anywhere in the USA. The recommended speed signs are the same here as in Canda though.

Harper · Jul 12, 2009

Unless the law has changed recently, in California it is not unlawful to cross a double yellow line or lines. A double-double set of yellow lines is a painted divider and it is unlawful to cross that. I am a retired LEO since 1994 and that had been the law for my entire career. If any LEO's from Calif on this site know that has changed, please let us know.

The law says or said, yellow lines have to be at least 24 inches apart to be not crossable and all in this state all that are that wide are double-double yellow lines.

Mikey S. · Jul 12, 2009

Yes Sir, Same in Michigan. Can't pass on a single yellow line if it's on your side of the road.
Can't pass at all on a double yellow line from either side.

Harper · Jul 12, 2009

I should clarify my statements. In California you cannot cross over a double yellow line to pass but you can to make a left turn into a business or driveway or when entering the highway from a business or driveway.

BrianH · Jul 12, 2009

magnatic said:
In Ontario, a yellow sign or line means it is "cautionary". You can cross a yellow or double yellow and not get a citation (some LEO's still write them but they don't stand up in court),

OPP explained to me one time that the "double" yellow is the one exception to the cautionary. I need to go and look up the Ontario Highway Taffic Act to check. When I was sill in Planning on the Toronto Fire Dept, I used to know the Traffic Act by heart.

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magnatic · Jul 13, 2009

BrianH said:
OPP explained to me one time that the "double" yellow is the one exception to the cautionary. I need to go and look up the Ontario Highway Taffic Act to check. When I was sill in Planning on the Toronto Fire Dept, I used to know the Traffic Act by heart.

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My friend is an OPP and he said double lines are cautionary as well.

This is from the Highway Traffic Act Forum:

"Yes you can pass on a solid or double-solid line in Ontario (don't do it in the States though!). There are limitations though regarding minimum distances to intersections and railway crossings."

BrianH · Jul 13, 2009

magnatic said:
My friend is an OPP and he said double lines are cautionary as well.

OK..., I'll go with that...

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crackerjack · Jul 13, 2009

My question is for long strecthes of double yellow, and the sign says to share the road with bicycles, how is that suppose to work, or with stopped cars half of he road?

Crossing a yellow line

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