7 common road lines explained
Straight, broken, yellow, white, bumpy – road lines come in all different patterns, colours and textures. Each has its place, and some may even save your life. Here are just 7 road markings to familiarise yourself with.
1. The continuous line
Also known as the solid white line, the continuous line gives a stern warning to motorists: stay in your lane. But there are some exceptions to the rule. When you can cross: Is there a broken-down vehicle or a fallen tree on the road ahead? Avoiding an obstruction is just one situation when you’re permitted to cross a single line, if it’s safe. You can cross a single continuous line when entering or leaving a road, to enter a service road or emergency stopping lane, or to park in angle parking on the opposite side of the road provided a U-turn is not required. Lastly, if space allows, motorists can cross a continuous line to manoeuvre around a cyclist to provide the safe passing distance. Just make sure you have a clear view of the road ahead and try to keep as far left as possible. Driving over a continuous line is also legal when it’s paralleled by a broken line painted closest to the motorist. When you can’t cross: Overtaking a vehicle moving at a snail’s pace isn’t reason enough to cross a continuous line. Missed a turn? Motorists are also prohibited from travelling over a solid line to make a U-turn. Sometimes a continuous line is accompanied by a second solid line, bringing a double whammy of consequences should you ever cross it. Put simply: a motorist should never cross double continuous lines unless manoeuvring around an obstruction or cyclist, and only if it can be done safely. In South Australia, motorists are fined $405, a $60 Victims of Crime Levy and receive 2 demerit points if they’re caught crossing a continuous line unlawfully. Cross a double continuous line and you’ll face the same fine, but incur 3 demerit points.
Double continuous lines have a double whammy of consequences should you ever cross them.
