hexhome wrote: Highway code 129
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
Strangely enough, yesterday whilst driving I overtook a "road maintenance vehicle" that was travelling at less than 10mph by crossing double white lines (It was safe I should add). Remarkable, because this is the first time I've had occassion to do it with respect to that type of vehicle since the law changed some years ago.
I remember being told on my original advanced driver training that solid white lines must be treated like a brick wall - period. Notwithstanding of course the few exemptions noted in the HC. In the days before the law changed (and to this day if the circumstances are not right or safe), if that meant waiting behind a cyclist going up a hill, so be it...no problem. Unfortunately few motorists probably have that discretion or discipline.