What does the yellow dashed line on the road mean?
3 Answers
Yellow dashed lines are also used to separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions, typically marked on narrower road surfaces. Whether it's a single or double yellow line, as long as it's dashed, vehicles are permitted to cross the line for overtaking or making a U-turn, provided it is done safely. Single solid yellow line: Used on roads with fewer central lanes, a single solid yellow line strictly prohibits vehicles from crossing. Therefore, driving on the line, overtaking, or making a U-turn is not allowed. When a yellow solid line is marked on the roadside or curb, it indicates that parking—whether long-term or temporary—is prohibited. Yellow dashed and solid line: Often found near ramps, bridges, or where lanes merge into the main road, this marking allows vehicles on the dashed side to temporarily cross the line for overtaking or turning, while vehicles on the solid side must not cross the line, as doing so would be a traffic violation. Double solid yellow lines: These lines separate lanes of opposite-direction traffic and are usually painted in the center of the road. Double solid yellow lines strictly prohibit vehicles from crossing, meaning driving on the line, overtaking, or making a U-turn is not permitted. Yellow grid lines: These indicate no-stopping zones. The grid-like yellow markings designate areas where parking is prohibited for any reason. Such markings commonly appear near schools, institutions, residential areas, fire lanes, and intersections—places where temporary parking could easily cause congestion—reminding drivers not to stop under any circumstances.
I used to drive long distances frequently and am very familiar with road markings. The yellow dashed line is used to separate opposing lanes, meaning you can temporarily cross the line to overtake or make a left turn when it's safe to do so. However, there are three key points to remember: First, you must only do so where the line is dashed—never cross a solid yellow line. Second, before overtaking, make sure there are no oncoming vehicles, especially in curves or at hilltops where visibility is limited—never take unnecessary risks. Third, in rainy or foggy conditions when the road is slippery, overtaking is not recommended even in dashed-line sections. Last time on a provincial highway, I witnessed someone recklessly overtaking and nearly colliding with a truck—it still gives me chills thinking about it. Safe driving should always come first; sometimes being a few minutes slower is far better than taking risks.
Having driven for so many years, I know the purpose of yellow dashed lines is quite clear—they give drivers some flexibility. For example, if there's a slow-moving tractor blocking the road ahead, as long as you confirm there are no oncoming vehicles, you can cross the dashed line to overtake. However, some drivers misunderstand this and dare to overtake recklessly on curves or near tunnel entrances, which is practically playing with their lives! Remember, yellow dashed lines are different from white dashed lines—white lines separate lanes going in the same direction, while yellow lines indicate oncoming traffic. Also, be extra cautious when driving at night, as many accidents occur when overtaking without clearly judging the distance of oncoming vehicles. If you encounter an unusually slow vehicle ahead, it's better to find a safe spot to pull over and take a break—it's much safer than taking risks.
