# History of double solid yellow line **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 26, 2011, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-double-solid-yellow-line/604125 "2011-11-26T05:09:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-double-solid-yellow-line/604125/21 "2011-11-29T06:00:32Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Please note that the post you are quoting only noted a “solid” line, not “double solid” lines. Please note my post was correcting the factually incorrect assertion that a solid white line means don’t cross in the US. It does not mean don’t cross. It’s put there to help you on your way. Like, you know, guidance. In California, anyway. > [@](#): > > The distinction made was that yellow indicated oncoming traffic, a point that I believe is accurate. It’s nice that the point is raised to round out the discussion and all but you’ll recall the OP asks about double solid yellow lines. I thought it worth noting that, at least in California, the lines could be yellow, white, purple, or hazelnut, and they’d all be just as illegal to cross. > [@](#): > > Solid white lines are not to be crossed, usually under penalty of a citation, (at the discretion of the cop watching it happen), but the color indicates direction of traffic. > In construction zones on freeways, the lane lines are often made solid at about the point where a sign is erected warning motorists to not change lanes, but those lines are single and white. Please do find me a section of the California Vehicle Code that confirms your assertion about solid white lines not being crossed under penalty of citation. You will have to except any failure to obey traffic sign tickets since I raised that in my original post. > [@](#): > > There are also many places where there are two sets of lines, one solid and one broken, that indicate that the person in the lane with a solid line must not cross it while the person going the opposite direction may cross it to pass. (This will occur on a hill where the solid line is for the lane going up the blind side and the broken line is on the lane going down with no obstructed vision. > However, those lines, solid or dashed, are yellow to indicate oncoming traffic. Great. If the lines were not doubled, and no sign prevented it, it would be perfectly legally to cross them at your leisure and convenience. In California, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-double-solid-yellow-line/604125/22 "2011-11-29T06:09:05Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > In California, anyway. So, as usual, California has a set of rules that differs from the much of the rest of the U.S. That was why I noted “usually” in the declaration regarding a solid white line. _::: shrug :::_ OK ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-double-solid-yellow-line/604125/23 "2011-11-29T06:43:29Z")
The single yellow line is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no passing in the double yellow line zone. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-double-solid-yellow-line/604125/24 "2011-11-29T07:23:18Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > The single yellow line is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no passing in the double yellow line zone. Listen buddy, don’t give me your double yellow line shit again! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-double-solid-yellow-line/604125.md?page=1)