What does a yellow dashed line on the road indicate?
2 Answers
A yellow dashed line in the center of the road is used to separate opposing traffic flows. If the center of the road has a combination of yellow solid and dashed lines, vehicles are prohibited from crossing the line or making left turns on the solid line side, while they are permitted to overtake or make left turns on the dashed line side. Here is more information about yellow lines: 1. Single solid yellow line: Crossing is strictly prohibited, including actions like overtaking, turning, or making U-turns. Unless under special circumstances, vehicles should not cross this line during travel. Driving over a solid line is not allowed, and making a U-turn is considered a violation of the no-crossing regulation, resulting in a 3-point penalty and a fine of 200 yuan. 2. Single dashed yellow line: Overtaking or making U-turns is allowed under safe conditions. A single yellow line serves as a central dividing line to separate traffic directions. A yellow dashed line allows temporary crossing for lane changes during travel, while a solid line should be treated as an impassable barrier, strictly prohibiting any crossing. Roads with four or more lanes in both directions are marked with double yellow lines, while those with fewer lanes use single yellow lines.
When I used to drive, I often encountered yellow dashed lines in the middle of the road, which served as markings to separate opposing lanes. The rule is that if one side has a dashed line, you can cross it to overtake or turn, but you must ensure no oncoming traffic is approaching. I've driven many mountain roads where dashed sections often appear on straight stretches to facilitate passing slower vehicles. Beginners might mistakenly think all dashed lines allow overtaking freely, but safety comes first: always check the rearview mirror, use turn signals, and choose straight sections to act. In rain or fog when visibility is poor, it's best not to attempt overtaking to avoid head-on collisions. The yellow color of these markings is designed to heighten driver alertness—unlike white lines separating same-direction lanes, yellow emphasizes the danger of opposing traffic. With practice, you can develop good habits and avoid rushing when overtaking.
