Can you cross the yellow dotted line to overtake?
4 Answers
You can cross the yellow dotted line to overtake. For dotted lines, crossing or overtaking is allowed, but the prerequisite is to ensure safety. Relevant information is as follows: 1. Introduction: In principle, solid lines cannot be crossed, especially yellow solid lines. White solid lines are used to separate lanes, also known as guide lane lines. Vehicles are prohibited from changing lanes after entering the guide lane lines, and the yellow solid lines in the middle of the road must not be crossed or violated because they separate opposing lanes. Single yellow dotted lines are used to separate lanes. Under the premise of ensuring the safety of oncoming vehicles and yourself, it is allowed to cross the line for overtaking, turning, etc., and it is not a traffic violation. 2. Regulations: Article 47 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law" states: "When overtaking, motor vehicles shall turn on the left turn signal in advance, switch between high and low beams, or sound the horn. On roads without a center line or with only one motor vehicle lane in the same direction, when the vehicle in front receives an overtaking signal from the vehicle behind, it shall reduce speed and move to the right to give way if conditions permit."
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I often overtake on roads with yellow dashed lines. I remember on the highway, sometimes when the car in front is moving too slowly, I check for oncoming traffic when I see a yellow dashed line, signal, and then safely overtake. The dashed lines indicate that you can cross the line to overtake, but safety is paramount—never take risks on curves or in foggy conditions. Once during a road trip in the countryside, there were many yellow dashed lines on that national highway, making overtaking smooth, but speed must still be controlled and not exceed the limit. In short, yellow dashed lines allow overtaking, but the key lies in observing the environment and reacting quickly, which makes driving smoother. Also, don’t follow trucks too closely; maintain enough distance when overtaking.
Safe driving is my motto, and it is indeed permissible to overtake on a yellow dashed line. Traffic regulations clearly state that lanes divided by dashed lines allow vehicles to cross the line, with overtaking being a typical example. However, even if the rules permit it, it's essential to assess the risks: for instance, in busy sections or pedestrian areas, I prioritize yielding over forcing an overtake. I recall an accident case last year where a driver overtaking on a dashed line failed to check the blind spot and collided with an electric bike. Therefore, before overtaking, always glance at the rearview and side mirrors, signal with your lights, and ensure the lane is clear. Once this habit is formed, trouble is rarely encountered.
I just got my driver's license, and the instructor repeatedly emphasized that overtaking on yellow dashed lines is permissible. The rule is straightforward: when the road is marked with yellow dashed lines, it means you can cross them to overtake under safe conditions, such as on straight highway sections. During my driving school practice, the coach had us practice overtaking techniques in similar road conditions—accelerate first to confirm safety, then execute the maneuver decisively. Now that I drive on my own, I feel confident when encountering yellow dashed lines, but it's still better to be cautious and not take risks just to save time. In short, dashed lines allow for flexible handling, but don't push your luck.
