so I got pulled over by a cop...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jaguaraja @ Jul 26 2006, 12:11 PM) [snapback]292588[/snapback]</div>

That's what you get for missing my BBQ! B) B) B)

 

There are not many HOV lanes in Oregon, in my part of Oregon there are none for over 200 miles. About 2 1/2 years ago I was in Colorado and I noticed the lanes with diamonds in them and a sign that said HOV. I had no idea what the diamonds were or what HOV was but the empty lanes were nice so I used them. I did notice some people looking at me kind of funny but I thought they were just looking at the tourist so I smiled and may have waved. Had a nice trip with no problems.

Last year after I bought my Prius I joined this group and here is where I finally learned what an HOV lane was.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(htmlspinnr @ Jul 26 2006, 12:28 PM) [snapback]292606[/snapback]</div>

Everywhere I've ever lived, a solid white line means 'don't cross', the same as a solid yellow line. I've lived in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey. Usually the yellow lines separate lanes going in opposite directions and white separates lanes where theyre both in the same direction.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeannie @ Jul 26 2006, 01:48 PM) [snapback]292656[/snapback]</div>

Correct.

Solid Line = Do Not Cross

There is a spot in Rock Creek Park where the right lane is exit only (Right below the Zoo headed northbound for you locals).

About 100 yards before the exit, the line changes to solid white. Traffic can line up for a half mile or more in that lane, and there are always those folks who want to run up and jam in at the last minute.

About once a week the Park Police will set up just over the crest of the hill (the exit is at a slight crest) and all you can see is the helmet and Aviator Shades of one cop peeking over the hill at oncoming traffic.

They have an assembly line set up and anyone who jams in past the solid white line gets waved over into the line to get a ticket.

Quite amusing.

I just looked up the AZ Drivers License manual, and Solid Lines mean do not cross there too, for the record.

Solid White lines are most often seen:

1) At lights with turn only lanes, to prevent you from going straight. If you go straight from the turn only lane, you have crossed the white line

2) Freeway Entrance and Exits to prevent you from swerving off at the last minute or blowing right onto the freeway at the end of the ramp. Usually there is a bit of solid white at each entrance and exit.

3) "Stay In Lane" situations like Tunnels and Construction.

As far as I know, it's universal.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Jul 26 2006, 02:49 PM) [snapback]292691[/snapback]</div>

Well in Utah it's just a solid yellow line the entire way... Never goes to dashes.... It's in and out as you please for the HOV.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Jul 26 2006, 01:49 PM) [snapback]292691[/snapback]</div>

Actually, at the bottom of page 43 in the manual (http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/documents/CustomerServiceGuide_99-0117.pdf) it says:

Solid White Line
A solid white line marks the right edge of the roadway or separates lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. You may travel in the same direction on both sides of this line, but you shouldn't cross the line unless you must do so to avoid a hazard.


So, technically, it IS ok to cross the white line. I assumed it was totally wrong when I moved here, and grumbled every time someone cut in. Only later did I find out that it's only that you "shouldn't" cross it. What do other states say? I wonder if the rules are murky enough that you can define what you were doing in several cases as "avoiding a hazard", so that most officers don't bother citing for it? I personally haven't heard of anyone in AZ being cited for crossing a solid white line, but that obviously doesn't mean it's never happened.


Interesting.

 

I've never seen anyone cited for crossing a white line, but i do remember back when i was in drivers ed (quite a while ago), i pointed that out to my father one day when we were driving... Technically, you aren't supposed to cross the solid white line, but you also aren't supposed to change lanes in the middle of an intersection. Well, there's one intersection near where we were living that had two lights closely spaced together. the first one had a left turn only lane, as did the second, but in order to get into the left turn only lane for the second you either had to cross the white line or change lanes in the middle of the intersection... interesting problem which, i believe, only helps to prove that you don't get pulled over for breaking trivial little laws like this... you get pulled over because someone has a target they have to reach (in terms of dollars collected from innocent tax payers) or has had a bad day.

 

It happened to me one time also. I was driving toward LI on LIE. The cop realized his mistake before he got out of his car. As soon as I pulled over and stopped, announced through the loud speaker that he didn't see the Clean Pass sticker.

He was also in the left "normal" lane. Sneaky but gets the job done keeping non qualifying drivers off HOV.

Dennis

 

Just checked my Oregon Drivers Manual. They refer to solid white lines as edge lines or fog lines and say they "should be crossed only with caution." It also says that double solid white lines mean do not change lanes.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Jul 26 2006, 01:04 PM) [snapback]292728[/snapback]</div>

I know this is OT, but I had always thought that it was illegal to change lanes in an intersection. This seems to be a common misconception, but it is NOT illegal (here in CA). It may be stupid, dangerous, etc, but not illegal.

While we're on such OT topics: here in CA, it's legal to turn left into any available lane, as long as there is only one left turn lane on the road you are turning from. In every other Western state I've checked (WA, OR, NV, AZ, ID), you must turn left into the nearest available lane. So you CA drivers used to this loosey-goosey left turn stuff: be careful if you are traveling in other states, the laws are NOT the same in this regard.

 

Guys, a drivers manual is NOT law. It contains helpful and safe information, but if you want to know what is actually legal or not, you must go directly to the state laws. For example, the only mention of white lines in Arizona's transportation laws pertains to the gore point (the section between the highway and a ramp where there are two seperate lines that converge or diverge, depending on direction). A gore point must never be driven in or stopped in unless the car is so disabled that stopping elswhere is impossible. Nowhere else is a solid white line given any mention whatsoever.

As in Califonia, it is also legal to change lanes within an intersection in Arizona. Unwise and dangerous, sure, but legal.

AZ's state laws can be referenced at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp

 

Actually, I recall in driver's ed (back in the early 90's in WI) that on a two lane road, a single yellow stripe down the middle means that passing is allowed, if safe. You don't see this often, but I've seen it in National Parks. I've also seen it in tunnels sometimes, and mountain roads, and found this reference from FL talking about :

"A single solid, broken or dotted line may be crossed with care. In yellow, it means pass with due care. In white, it means to change lanes with due care."
http://www.sptimes.com/2002/01/20/SouthPin..._yellow_l.shtml

So in FL, at least, it's fine, and I'd say WI too.