Perhaps I need to be more clear.
I was not in any way commenting on the value of double yellow lines, taking
the lane, or cyclist behavior, nor do I want to start now!
All I was attempting to communicate is that if a motorist has been cited for
crossing the line, *rightly or wrongly*, or knows someone who has, there
just might be a little hesitation to cross the line.
We need to realize that. Often it's useful to understand why people do
things, whether or not you agree with them.
- Wyatt Wood
(Northern California)
Here I go
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dante Lanzetta" <dante_lanzetta@sbcglobal.net>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <tandem@hobbes.ucsd.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 5:30 PM
Subject: [T@H] And what do YOU think a double yellow line means?
> On Dec 16, 2008, at 6:27 PM, "Wyatt" <wyattw@jps.net> wrote:
>
>> ...I was merely trying to point out that even when motorists are =20
>> patient and do
>> pass safely, they may be exposing themselves to a ticket.
>
> Most places, a double yellow line expressly takes away the privilege =20
> of crossing into an oncoming lane to pass REGARDLESS of whether it is =20=
>
> "safe" to do so (by which I'm guessing you mean when the passing =20
> vehicle's driver felt there was no oncoming traffic). They put those =20=
>
> lines there to tell you they don't want you deciding there isn't =20
> going to be a car coming at you, hence their common use on hills and =20
> curves, as well as straightaways where you might be tempted to pass, =20
> but not be able to get back in lane in time to avoid crashing with an =20=
>
> oncoming car =97 OR the vehicle you are passing, by cutting back into =20=
>
> an occupied space. Especially where it is unsafe to pass, it is =20
> unsafe to pass a cyclist. When a cyclist has to "take the lane," it =20
> is MOST likely there is also a double yellow telling EVERYONE that =20
> passing is unsafe.
>
> Personally, I feel safer where there are no double yellow lines. =20
> That's where I most often experience motorists enraged at having to =20
> wait behind me because I've had to take the lane because it isn't =20
> safe for them to pass me, and self-destructively crossing the double =20
> yellow on a hill, around a curve (often both), accelerating, and =20
> clueless that they are endangering me, themselves, and any unknowing =20
> innocent oncoming driver. More than a few times, one has slowed =20
> abreast of me to open the window and shout curses at me while looking =20=
>
> at me, not the limited-vision road ahead.
>
> This is madness. I don't think it is helped by a suggestion that =20
> crossing a double yellow line is legal. Even if it IS legal =20
> somewhere, it is terminally unsafe.
>
> Dante
>
