the same obviously applies to speed limits as no Bikermate would take a Wankpanzer above the stated limit.
Long Tail backs and Solid centre white line.
- Thread starter karlakGS
- Start date
I don’t understand what is wrong with going through an amber light or why you got prosecuted.
It’s warning you that it will be red in a short time, because reaction time and safe braking are not instantaneous. You’re supposed to drive through if stopping would be hazardous.
Or?
Interesting, on my Police Advanced M/C Course in Kent we were actively encouraged to overtake other vehicles if we could do so safely and stay within the correct side of the solid white lines, though I’ve heard the above interpretation by Officers before.Have just watched an old Men&Motors Youtube video, wherein a Traffic Police officer wrongly stated you cannot even overtake a car that moves over to its nearside on a wide road to let you pass, even if you don't cross the solid white line on your side.
I know that this particular officer is/was actually a very good 'un, but it just shows how much open to personal interpretation / confusion this issue causes.
Nowhere, I mean nowhere, can I find a definition of 'stationary' within the Highway code or RTA1988, but the English dictionary does state this.....
Meaning of stationary in English
stationary
adjective
UK
Add to word list
not moving, or not changing:
a stationary car/train
The traffic got slower and slower until it was stationary.
And I think that last part for me says it all.
I am and will continue to be very careful on my travels, but if the occasion arose whereby I was going to sit behind a mile or three of cages this summer, I'd seriously consider, if safe to do so, overtaking those stationary vehicles by crossing any solid white line on my side........... IF SAFE TO DO SO
As far as I’ve always believed, and enforced, is that it is unlawful to cross or straddle a solid white line other than for the reasons stated in law, and (for me) that doesn’t include filtering past queues of temporary stationary traffic. Whether it would result in a ticket is the same lottery as speeding.
Where did ‘temporary’ crop up in this? Nowhere does it say temporary in rule #129. I’d rather things clear so if that’s what was meant it should state it. It doesn’t. And implied is just for politicians. 
Yet I don't think traffic light cameras (do they still have them?.....as I'm going back 30 years ago) prosecute for yellow light transgressions. When I was involved in the initial setting up of the various cameras, only red lighters were issued NIPs.
I wasn’t quoting word for word from the act. The OP, as far as I can remember, was asking if it was ok to pass stationary traffic by being the wrong side of the solid white line. My use of the word temporary is meant to indicate that they were not parked. Don’t be difficult… no, hang on, I’m on UKGSER site. Carry on mate!Where did ‘temporary’ crop up in this? Nowhere does it say temporary in rule #129. I’d rather things clear so if that’s what was meant it should state it. It doesn’t. And implied is just for politicians.
And usually there is a time on the red as well, all be it seconds. No camera works on amber.
If we go by your definition of a stationary vehicle, that would mean those in the que could use their phones, have something to eat and drink, but that is not the case, even though they are stationary, they are queuing waiting to move and would be prosecuted for doing any of the above.
Yeah, the cop is on it there.....as the solid whites are there for a reason, I'm pretty sure the NIP would be for Dangerous Driving or suchlike
I think this is a great thread - I’ve wondered about this for all the time I’ve been back on a bike (6 years). I found the word ‘stationary’ confusing. Thing is, whenever I find myself in this situation (which is regularly when commuting) I have thought - ‘it does seem risky here, and can I get back in?’. So, I’ve never done it but thought - ‘could have I have done it?’.
So, I’ve been thinking I’ve missed a trick, but now I’m thinking the line is there for a reason and I did feel that the risk was too much when I was sitting there grinding my teeth waiting.
I think I’ll stay to the left of the line!
So, I’ve been thinking I’ve missed a trick, but now I’m thinking the line is there for a reason and I did feel that the risk was too much when I was sitting there grinding my teeth waiting.
I think I’ll stay to the left of the line!
This;; if the copper has just found out his mrs has been pulling a train with the local Hells Angel chapter he wont like any bikers;
septikangel
Registered user
EXACTLY - yet another individual interpretation of 'stationary' by adding 'temporary, parked' and no doubt more....I wasn’t quoting word for word from the act. The OP, as far as I can remember, was asking if it was ok to pass stationary traffic by being the wrong side of the solid white line. My use of the word temporary is meant to indicate that they were not parked. Don’t be difficult… no, hang on, I’m on UKGSER site. Carry on mate!
NONE of which are in the rules or RTA 1988 - your 'own' interpretation but NOT what the HC or RTA states.
I'd not cross if it were dangerous and certainly don't advocate doing so, but next time you're behind a rural bin wagon collecting bins on a straight road, stopping every 30 seconds and the white line's solid on your side......tell me honestly you'd stick behind him all the way 'till the road lines changed to a broken line ?
I would have thought the difference was pretty obvious, being stopped by a hold up in a traffic flow or not. It’s all dependent on the circumstances, reliant initially on the opinion of the Police Officer and then later by the Magistrates.
And yes, I would overtake the bin lorry on white lines when he was stationary for the purpose of bin emptying but not when he was moving.
You can carry on all day trying to find circumstances to bolster your argument if you want, but at the end of the day it’s your decision and your licence.
For me it would depend on the conditions prevailing at the time, as I mentioned above if the road was clear, if I had a good view up the road etc I may decide to pass the stationary vehicle and pray that PC Himmler was not on duty
The whole crux of the thread is about overtaking a stationary vehicle. I don't think anyone has advocated passing moving vehicles and crossing the solid line, except for the cyclist and slow moving vehicle travelling at less than 10mph etc.
Yup...but you missed (to me) a key part of the initial post and most of the subesquent thread.
I may be 'legally able to' do something and decide not to, and I may be 'unable to legally do' something...and choose to ignore that and just do it anyway.....(I suspect everyone on here has exceeded the speed limit (probably today))
Fairly recently I was stuck in standing traffic for two hours on the motorway due to an accident, loads of folk were on their phones and eating, some bad ass crims actually got out of their cars to walk up and down the carriageway and even take a piss in the bushes. There were a few cops about walking between the slip road and the couple of hundred yards of the accident site, thankfully PC Himmler was not amongst them
I don't consider I've missed any salient points made by others. you're correct the initial scenario was about standing traffic at temporary lights, but the thread morphed into a point about what is stationary, so whether it's caused by traffic lights or a broken down vehicle a hundred yards up the road is neither here nor there. At no point have I said it would be legal, I've only said what I would consider doing under the circumstances and how I may once have dealt with it as a traffic patrol officer. It's about using common sense and discretion. As you know we don't/or didn't have to commit every offence to paper.
At the end of the day you make the decision to exceed the speed limit, or cross or straddle the solid white line knowing you may get a ticket.
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