What's the meaning of the sign “Broken white line only marks the centre of the road”?











up vote
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In Tenerife, on the road TF-21 near the Teide volcano, I've seen this sign:



enter image description here



It reads, both in Spanish and English:




ATENCIÓN

Linea discontinua solo indica eje carretera



WARNING

Broken white line only marks the centre of the road




I don't really understand what it means. Why does it only mark the centre of the road? What else should it do? Does it refer to overtaking? Is the sign saying that, contrary to its common meaning, this broken line does not indicate that it is allowed to overtake? It's my best guess, but I'm not convinced, because in that case I'd expect a solid line, not a broken one and a sign.



So, what does it mean? And if it's really about overtaking, why didn't they use a solid line?










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  • 3




    Perhaps they didn't have enough paint and could not paint a solid line? This one really is strange...
    – Michael Hampton
    Nov 4 at 20:02






  • 7




    Layman Hypothesis: This seems to be a mountain region. In winter, when the road is covered with snow, the broken white line makes it easier to asses that this is the middle of the road and not in fact the outer boundary. This might prevent you from driving on the wrong side.
    – problemofficer
    Nov 4 at 22:25






  • 26




    Hypothesis: It could mean that on certain passages the road isn't wide enough for two lanes, so that the broken white line doesn't guarantee that two cars can safely pass each other. In my country, there would be no line in that case, but perhaps they realized too late and just put up that sign instead.
    – Pål GD
    Nov 4 at 22:32






  • 2




    @Fattie, please keep your comments on topic.
    – Willeke
    Nov 5 at 18:46






  • 4




    Based on the answers & comments on this question, I think what it really means is: "Tenerife needs to post signs that are more clear in their meaning".
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 15:59















up vote
55
down vote

favorite
2












In Tenerife, on the road TF-21 near the Teide volcano, I've seen this sign:



enter image description here



It reads, both in Spanish and English:




ATENCIÓN

Linea discontinua solo indica eje carretera



WARNING

Broken white line only marks the centre of the road




I don't really understand what it means. Why does it only mark the centre of the road? What else should it do? Does it refer to overtaking? Is the sign saying that, contrary to its common meaning, this broken line does not indicate that it is allowed to overtake? It's my best guess, but I'm not convinced, because in that case I'd expect a solid line, not a broken one and a sign.



So, what does it mean? And if it's really about overtaking, why didn't they use a solid line?










share|improve this question




















  • 3




    Perhaps they didn't have enough paint and could not paint a solid line? This one really is strange...
    – Michael Hampton
    Nov 4 at 20:02






  • 7




    Layman Hypothesis: This seems to be a mountain region. In winter, when the road is covered with snow, the broken white line makes it easier to asses that this is the middle of the road and not in fact the outer boundary. This might prevent you from driving on the wrong side.
    – problemofficer
    Nov 4 at 22:25






  • 26




    Hypothesis: It could mean that on certain passages the road isn't wide enough for two lanes, so that the broken white line doesn't guarantee that two cars can safely pass each other. In my country, there would be no line in that case, but perhaps they realized too late and just put up that sign instead.
    – Pål GD
    Nov 4 at 22:32






  • 2




    @Fattie, please keep your comments on topic.
    – Willeke
    Nov 5 at 18:46






  • 4




    Based on the answers & comments on this question, I think what it really means is: "Tenerife needs to post signs that are more clear in their meaning".
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 15:59













up vote
55
down vote

favorite
2









up vote
55
down vote

favorite
2






2





In Tenerife, on the road TF-21 near the Teide volcano, I've seen this sign:



enter image description here



It reads, both in Spanish and English:




ATENCIÓN

Linea discontinua solo indica eje carretera



WARNING

Broken white line only marks the centre of the road




I don't really understand what it means. Why does it only mark the centre of the road? What else should it do? Does it refer to overtaking? Is the sign saying that, contrary to its common meaning, this broken line does not indicate that it is allowed to overtake? It's my best guess, but I'm not convinced, because in that case I'd expect a solid line, not a broken one and a sign.



So, what does it mean? And if it's really about overtaking, why didn't they use a solid line?










share|improve this question















In Tenerife, on the road TF-21 near the Teide volcano, I've seen this sign:



enter image description here



It reads, both in Spanish and English:




ATENCIÓN

Linea discontinua solo indica eje carretera



WARNING

Broken white line only marks the centre of the road




I don't really understand what it means. Why does it only mark the centre of the road? What else should it do? Does it refer to overtaking? Is the sign saying that, contrary to its common meaning, this broken line does not indicate that it is allowed to overtake? It's my best guess, but I'm not convinced, because in that case I'd expect a solid line, not a broken one and a sign.



So, what does it mean? And if it's really about overtaking, why didn't they use a solid line?







spain canary-islands road-signs






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edited Nov 4 at 20:17

























asked Nov 4 at 18:39









Fabio Turati

9662818




9662818








  • 3




    Perhaps they didn't have enough paint and could not paint a solid line? This one really is strange...
    – Michael Hampton
    Nov 4 at 20:02






  • 7




    Layman Hypothesis: This seems to be a mountain region. In winter, when the road is covered with snow, the broken white line makes it easier to asses that this is the middle of the road and not in fact the outer boundary. This might prevent you from driving on the wrong side.
    – problemofficer
    Nov 4 at 22:25






  • 26




    Hypothesis: It could mean that on certain passages the road isn't wide enough for two lanes, so that the broken white line doesn't guarantee that two cars can safely pass each other. In my country, there would be no line in that case, but perhaps they realized too late and just put up that sign instead.
    – Pål GD
    Nov 4 at 22:32






  • 2




    @Fattie, please keep your comments on topic.
    – Willeke
    Nov 5 at 18:46






  • 4




    Based on the answers & comments on this question, I think what it really means is: "Tenerife needs to post signs that are more clear in their meaning".
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 15:59














  • 3




    Perhaps they didn't have enough paint and could not paint a solid line? This one really is strange...
    – Michael Hampton
    Nov 4 at 20:02






  • 7




    Layman Hypothesis: This seems to be a mountain region. In winter, when the road is covered with snow, the broken white line makes it easier to asses that this is the middle of the road and not in fact the outer boundary. This might prevent you from driving on the wrong side.
    – problemofficer
    Nov 4 at 22:25






  • 26




    Hypothesis: It could mean that on certain passages the road isn't wide enough for two lanes, so that the broken white line doesn't guarantee that two cars can safely pass each other. In my country, there would be no line in that case, but perhaps they realized too late and just put up that sign instead.
    – Pål GD
    Nov 4 at 22:32






  • 2




    @Fattie, please keep your comments on topic.
    – Willeke
    Nov 5 at 18:46






  • 4




    Based on the answers & comments on this question, I think what it really means is: "Tenerife needs to post signs that are more clear in their meaning".
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 15:59








3




3




Perhaps they didn't have enough paint and could not paint a solid line? This one really is strange...
– Michael Hampton
Nov 4 at 20:02




Perhaps they didn't have enough paint and could not paint a solid line? This one really is strange...
– Michael Hampton
Nov 4 at 20:02




7




7




Layman Hypothesis: This seems to be a mountain region. In winter, when the road is covered with snow, the broken white line makes it easier to asses that this is the middle of the road and not in fact the outer boundary. This might prevent you from driving on the wrong side.
– problemofficer
Nov 4 at 22:25




Layman Hypothesis: This seems to be a mountain region. In winter, when the road is covered with snow, the broken white line makes it easier to asses that this is the middle of the road and not in fact the outer boundary. This might prevent you from driving on the wrong side.
– problemofficer
Nov 4 at 22:25




26




26




Hypothesis: It could mean that on certain passages the road isn't wide enough for two lanes, so that the broken white line doesn't guarantee that two cars can safely pass each other. In my country, there would be no line in that case, but perhaps they realized too late and just put up that sign instead.
– Pål GD
Nov 4 at 22:32




Hypothesis: It could mean that on certain passages the road isn't wide enough for two lanes, so that the broken white line doesn't guarantee that two cars can safely pass each other. In my country, there would be no line in that case, but perhaps they realized too late and just put up that sign instead.
– Pål GD
Nov 4 at 22:32




2




2




@Fattie, please keep your comments on topic.
– Willeke
Nov 5 at 18:46




@Fattie, please keep your comments on topic.
– Willeke
Nov 5 at 18:46




4




4




Based on the answers & comments on this question, I think what it really means is: "Tenerife needs to post signs that are more clear in their meaning".
– FreeMan
Nov 6 at 15:59




Based on the answers & comments on this question, I think what it really means is: "Tenerife needs to post signs that are more clear in their meaning".
– FreeMan
Nov 6 at 15:59










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
49
down vote



accepted










In short: It means "Don't assume any of the usual meanings of a broken line in Spain, except for marking the center of the road".



In long:



The meaning is obvious. At least, it seems obvious for drivers in Spain.



In Spain, a broken line means that you can overtake while a continuous line means you can't, and in curvy roads the line changes very often from broken to continuous (and even to continuous for one side and broken for the other) according to circumstances of the road - mostly about visibility but also about intersections with other roads.



In roads with that sign, as it reads, the broken line just marks the center of the road and it doesn't show whether you can overtake. Therefore, you must assess if you can overtake using the other rules in road code, which basically fall back to the rule that you can overtake where visibility is enough to make sure that there isn't an incoming vehicle in the opposite direction.



If the road were narrower than the one depicted in the OP, the sign would be also warning that we can't assume that every vehicle will be completely in its side of the line, especially for trucks. In that case, there would likely be a speed limitation signal.



Addition to address comments concerning why aren't the whole road (or the unsafe parts) painted with continuous line:



Those roads are just small roads with little traffic, some of them just upgraded from unpaved tracks. That kind of small roads in some places in Spain used to carry no lines at all. A better improvement could include complete road marks and a lot of traffic signs, but that improvement is nor easy not cheap, and for small roads with little traffic it is not done. Therefore, the road is just an asphalt strip with a broken line in the middle.



From experience, I must add that it isn't hard to drive in those roads - at least, lack of continuous/broken line doesn't make it harder than driving in any other narrow curvy road. As any driver knows, you can't overtake if you can't check that there is no incoming vehicle, and you don't need a continuous line to tell that you can see the road more than a few metres ahead because a curve obstructs the view.






share|improve this answer



















  • 1




    @Fattie - If you are interested in roads like that, I've seen that sign in other parts of Spain, too.
    – Pere
    Nov 5 at 15:26








  • 2




    Good point about the narrowness, that's what I'd have wanted to add to the previous answers
    – Tobias Kienzler
    Nov 5 at 21:11






  • 1




    Why wouldn't they just paint a solid line then?
    – insidesin
    Nov 6 at 8:01






  • 4




    @insidesin: Because then they'd have to change the sign to read "Warning: Solid white line only marks the centre of the road"?
    – Ilmari Karonen
    Nov 6 at 10:28






  • 1




    @insidesin - Please notice that the sign doesn't mean that you can't overtake anywhere in that road. It just means that you need to judge by yourself instead of trusting the line. Very often, curvy mountain roads have short stretches with good visibility where overtaking is possible.
    – Pere
    Nov 6 at 11:10


















up vote
64
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It definitely means you mustn't assume *any meaning whatsoever, re overtaking, turning, or even whether "your" side of the road is actually all yours, exactly as it says, over and above that it marks the centre of the road.



If you're on your side of the broken line, you can't assume oncoming traffic will be entirely on the other side. The line only marks the centre, and does NOT even divide the lanes. Hence the usage on narrow roads.






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Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 16




    @DavidRicherby you appear to only have made this comment on one answer when the others declare they are guesses. I posted this because I think the other guesses are wrong, and dangerous. In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one and moreover make no further assumptions about any meaning of the broken line, over and above that it marks the centre, exactly as the sign advises.
    – Robert Frost
    Nov 5 at 3:31






  • 14




    This is correct. A mid line is normally a lane divider, but as the sign says - a broken one only shows road midpoint. EU regulations demands a normal road be at least 5,5 m wide to have two normal lakes if I remember correctly. This road is clearly not that wide.
    – Stian Yttervik
    Nov 5 at 6:15








  • 1




    This would also be my first interpretation. Just a warning that the road might be too narrow for 2 cars at some points, so you should not assume you "own" your lane just because there is a line (which only marks the middle of the road).
    – HectorLector
    Nov 5 at 10:17








  • 6




    @RobertFrost "In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one" Say what? Why should anybody at all assume that, given a bunch of answers without proof, yours is the correct one? What's so special about your unjustified assumptions compared to everybody else's?
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:45






  • 3




    @DavidSchwartz Note that the answer has been substantially edited since I commented.It began with "My interpretation is...", whereas the question is asking about what the markings and sign actually mean, not what people guess it means. As I recall, it directly contradicted other, more detailed and more highly voted answers and my own understanding. However, given that the answer has been edited, I've deleted my original comment.
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:48




















up vote
34
down vote













If I understand it correctly, it has to do with overtaking, but the signage is really confusing.



In Spain, a continuous line means that overtaking is prohibited and it is in no case allowed to cross the line. That means, that it is even prohibited to turn left. It is allowed to overtake bicyclists, if you are able to keep a safe distance without actually crossing the continuous line.



A broken line means that you are allowed to overtake if traffic and visibility allows you to do so safely.



The sign you have found is quite common on narrow mountain roads and used together with a broken middle line. I guess it is supposed to be a reminder that even if it is strictly speaking not prohibited to overtake (due to the broken line), the road is too narrow and curvy at most places to do so safely. You may however have a chance driving uphill to quickly overtake a bicyclist or turn left, if that is required. Had they used a continuous line, you would not even had been allowed to turn left, or pass bicyclists.






share|improve this answer

















  • 7




    I wonder why the sign doesn't say "Passing may be unsafe" instead...
    – Tanner Swett
    Nov 5 at 4:10






  • 6




    @TannerSwett At least in part because "passing" without a direct object is not used to refer to overtaking outside the US. Here English is being used as an international language for all foreigners who don't totally understand Spanish, and such people would likely be puzzled by what it is exactly that they are not allowed to pass.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:13






  • 2




    However, the reason for the lack of comprehensibility in the sign as it is is probably that whoever was assigned to translate it just did their job of translating the Spanish literally, without thinking of how the intended audience of the sign, foreigners unfamiliar with the situation, would interpret it.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:17






  • 3




    @Fattie Comments are not intended for answers.
    – Servaes
    Nov 5 at 12:19






  • 7




    @Fattie, clearly, based on this answer, passing/overtaking zones are indicated by a broken white line in "this country". This sign indicates a specific instance, within "this country", where that is not the case. It seems to me to be a very clear answer, despite the fact that the sign and broken line seem to be at odds with each other. Granted, a quote of a relevant law would make this otherwise good answer an excellent one.
    – FreeMan
    Nov 5 at 14:55


















up vote
13
down vote













In many countries, it is common to indicate with the broken line that it is a place where it is safely possible to overtake.

Teneriffa is not following this usage, and to make sure people don't assume so, warns about it. Otherwise, many people would assume it is save to overtake - and have bad accidents (probably what happened and triggered the sign)






share|improve this answer

















  • 5




    Someone who would drive on a narrow, winding road through the mountains; and assume that it's safe to overtake; should probably have to surrender their licence.
    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    Nov 4 at 20:52






  • 3




    @DawoodibnKareem , I agree. But instead they kill themselves and potentially a local in an accident. Teneriffans probably didn't mind visitors killing themselves, but they don't like all the locals dying with them...
    – Aganju
    Nov 4 at 20:55






  • 5




    In the UK, solid lines mean crossing the center line is illegal (unless you are overtaking traffic which has a maximum speed of 20mph or less, like a horse and cart or a steam roller), long dashes like the OP's picture mean crossing the line to overtake is legal but there is a hazard ahead (for example restricted visibility because of a curve in the road), and short dashes with longer gaps mean overtaking is "safe".
    – alephzero
    Nov 4 at 21:13












  • @alephzero actually if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. (quote taken from the section on dashed+solid, as nothing is listed under the preceeding section on double solid)
    – Chris H
    Nov 5 at 9:00








  • 3




    @Aganju It's probably safe to assume that the local first responders don't like cleaning up nasty messes caused by tourists killing themselves and the rest of locals don't like having to detour around bloody dead tourists.
    – Dan Neely
    Nov 5 at 20:41


















up vote
5
down vote













It means "don't rely on the lines only, use your common sense especially when invading the opposite side such as when overtaking or turning left".



The sign also intends to warn that you might encounter large vehicles taking some of "your" road just to be able to take a turn or even circulate on a straight section.



I've seen a variation of this sign in rural or mountaineous roads in Castelló. That area is very sparsely populated, there's few traffic, road maintenance could be way better and the road features (shorter straight sections, bends, mountain passes) could make it impossible to overtake for larger/heavier vehicles (buses, trucks, cars) but be perfectly fine for lighter ones (cars, motorbikes).



An accident in those sparsely populated areas could mean that help is going to take a while to arrive.






share|improve this answer























  • Panning that screen shot to the left shows that a truck will fit on its own side of the road. Just. I wouldn't count on every one of them taking up only his own side of the road. Good find!
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 16:04










  • @FreeMan You're welcome! That's the road to my parents hometown, so I know well the area :)
    – orique
    Nov 6 at 16:07













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5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes








5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
49
down vote



accepted










In short: It means "Don't assume any of the usual meanings of a broken line in Spain, except for marking the center of the road".



In long:



The meaning is obvious. At least, it seems obvious for drivers in Spain.



In Spain, a broken line means that you can overtake while a continuous line means you can't, and in curvy roads the line changes very often from broken to continuous (and even to continuous for one side and broken for the other) according to circumstances of the road - mostly about visibility but also about intersections with other roads.



In roads with that sign, as it reads, the broken line just marks the center of the road and it doesn't show whether you can overtake. Therefore, you must assess if you can overtake using the other rules in road code, which basically fall back to the rule that you can overtake where visibility is enough to make sure that there isn't an incoming vehicle in the opposite direction.



If the road were narrower than the one depicted in the OP, the sign would be also warning that we can't assume that every vehicle will be completely in its side of the line, especially for trucks. In that case, there would likely be a speed limitation signal.



Addition to address comments concerning why aren't the whole road (or the unsafe parts) painted with continuous line:



Those roads are just small roads with little traffic, some of them just upgraded from unpaved tracks. That kind of small roads in some places in Spain used to carry no lines at all. A better improvement could include complete road marks and a lot of traffic signs, but that improvement is nor easy not cheap, and for small roads with little traffic it is not done. Therefore, the road is just an asphalt strip with a broken line in the middle.



From experience, I must add that it isn't hard to drive in those roads - at least, lack of continuous/broken line doesn't make it harder than driving in any other narrow curvy road. As any driver knows, you can't overtake if you can't check that there is no incoming vehicle, and you don't need a continuous line to tell that you can see the road more than a few metres ahead because a curve obstructs the view.






share|improve this answer



















  • 1




    @Fattie - If you are interested in roads like that, I've seen that sign in other parts of Spain, too.
    – Pere
    Nov 5 at 15:26








  • 2




    Good point about the narrowness, that's what I'd have wanted to add to the previous answers
    – Tobias Kienzler
    Nov 5 at 21:11






  • 1




    Why wouldn't they just paint a solid line then?
    – insidesin
    Nov 6 at 8:01






  • 4




    @insidesin: Because then they'd have to change the sign to read "Warning: Solid white line only marks the centre of the road"?
    – Ilmari Karonen
    Nov 6 at 10:28






  • 1




    @insidesin - Please notice that the sign doesn't mean that you can't overtake anywhere in that road. It just means that you need to judge by yourself instead of trusting the line. Very often, curvy mountain roads have short stretches with good visibility where overtaking is possible.
    – Pere
    Nov 6 at 11:10















up vote
49
down vote



accepted










In short: It means "Don't assume any of the usual meanings of a broken line in Spain, except for marking the center of the road".



In long:



The meaning is obvious. At least, it seems obvious for drivers in Spain.



In Spain, a broken line means that you can overtake while a continuous line means you can't, and in curvy roads the line changes very often from broken to continuous (and even to continuous for one side and broken for the other) according to circumstances of the road - mostly about visibility but also about intersections with other roads.



In roads with that sign, as it reads, the broken line just marks the center of the road and it doesn't show whether you can overtake. Therefore, you must assess if you can overtake using the other rules in road code, which basically fall back to the rule that you can overtake where visibility is enough to make sure that there isn't an incoming vehicle in the opposite direction.



If the road were narrower than the one depicted in the OP, the sign would be also warning that we can't assume that every vehicle will be completely in its side of the line, especially for trucks. In that case, there would likely be a speed limitation signal.



Addition to address comments concerning why aren't the whole road (or the unsafe parts) painted with continuous line:



Those roads are just small roads with little traffic, some of them just upgraded from unpaved tracks. That kind of small roads in some places in Spain used to carry no lines at all. A better improvement could include complete road marks and a lot of traffic signs, but that improvement is nor easy not cheap, and for small roads with little traffic it is not done. Therefore, the road is just an asphalt strip with a broken line in the middle.



From experience, I must add that it isn't hard to drive in those roads - at least, lack of continuous/broken line doesn't make it harder than driving in any other narrow curvy road. As any driver knows, you can't overtake if you can't check that there is no incoming vehicle, and you don't need a continuous line to tell that you can see the road more than a few metres ahead because a curve obstructs the view.






share|improve this answer



















  • 1




    @Fattie - If you are interested in roads like that, I've seen that sign in other parts of Spain, too.
    – Pere
    Nov 5 at 15:26








  • 2




    Good point about the narrowness, that's what I'd have wanted to add to the previous answers
    – Tobias Kienzler
    Nov 5 at 21:11






  • 1




    Why wouldn't they just paint a solid line then?
    – insidesin
    Nov 6 at 8:01






  • 4




    @insidesin: Because then they'd have to change the sign to read "Warning: Solid white line only marks the centre of the road"?
    – Ilmari Karonen
    Nov 6 at 10:28






  • 1




    @insidesin - Please notice that the sign doesn't mean that you can't overtake anywhere in that road. It just means that you need to judge by yourself instead of trusting the line. Very often, curvy mountain roads have short stretches with good visibility where overtaking is possible.
    – Pere
    Nov 6 at 11:10













up vote
49
down vote



accepted







up vote
49
down vote



accepted






In short: It means "Don't assume any of the usual meanings of a broken line in Spain, except for marking the center of the road".



In long:



The meaning is obvious. At least, it seems obvious for drivers in Spain.



In Spain, a broken line means that you can overtake while a continuous line means you can't, and in curvy roads the line changes very often from broken to continuous (and even to continuous for one side and broken for the other) according to circumstances of the road - mostly about visibility but also about intersections with other roads.



In roads with that sign, as it reads, the broken line just marks the center of the road and it doesn't show whether you can overtake. Therefore, you must assess if you can overtake using the other rules in road code, which basically fall back to the rule that you can overtake where visibility is enough to make sure that there isn't an incoming vehicle in the opposite direction.



If the road were narrower than the one depicted in the OP, the sign would be also warning that we can't assume that every vehicle will be completely in its side of the line, especially for trucks. In that case, there would likely be a speed limitation signal.



Addition to address comments concerning why aren't the whole road (or the unsafe parts) painted with continuous line:



Those roads are just small roads with little traffic, some of them just upgraded from unpaved tracks. That kind of small roads in some places in Spain used to carry no lines at all. A better improvement could include complete road marks and a lot of traffic signs, but that improvement is nor easy not cheap, and for small roads with little traffic it is not done. Therefore, the road is just an asphalt strip with a broken line in the middle.



From experience, I must add that it isn't hard to drive in those roads - at least, lack of continuous/broken line doesn't make it harder than driving in any other narrow curvy road. As any driver knows, you can't overtake if you can't check that there is no incoming vehicle, and you don't need a continuous line to tell that you can see the road more than a few metres ahead because a curve obstructs the view.






share|improve this answer














In short: It means "Don't assume any of the usual meanings of a broken line in Spain, except for marking the center of the road".



In long:



The meaning is obvious. At least, it seems obvious for drivers in Spain.



In Spain, a broken line means that you can overtake while a continuous line means you can't, and in curvy roads the line changes very often from broken to continuous (and even to continuous for one side and broken for the other) according to circumstances of the road - mostly about visibility but also about intersections with other roads.



In roads with that sign, as it reads, the broken line just marks the center of the road and it doesn't show whether you can overtake. Therefore, you must assess if you can overtake using the other rules in road code, which basically fall back to the rule that you can overtake where visibility is enough to make sure that there isn't an incoming vehicle in the opposite direction.



If the road were narrower than the one depicted in the OP, the sign would be also warning that we can't assume that every vehicle will be completely in its side of the line, especially for trucks. In that case, there would likely be a speed limitation signal.



Addition to address comments concerning why aren't the whole road (or the unsafe parts) painted with continuous line:



Those roads are just small roads with little traffic, some of them just upgraded from unpaved tracks. That kind of small roads in some places in Spain used to carry no lines at all. A better improvement could include complete road marks and a lot of traffic signs, but that improvement is nor easy not cheap, and for small roads with little traffic it is not done. Therefore, the road is just an asphalt strip with a broken line in the middle.



From experience, I must add that it isn't hard to drive in those roads - at least, lack of continuous/broken line doesn't make it harder than driving in any other narrow curvy road. As any driver knows, you can't overtake if you can't check that there is no incoming vehicle, and you don't need a continuous line to tell that you can see the road more than a few metres ahead because a curve obstructs the view.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Nov 8 at 12:18

























answered Nov 5 at 9:34









Pere

1,04677




1,04677








  • 1




    @Fattie - If you are interested in roads like that, I've seen that sign in other parts of Spain, too.
    – Pere
    Nov 5 at 15:26








  • 2




    Good point about the narrowness, that's what I'd have wanted to add to the previous answers
    – Tobias Kienzler
    Nov 5 at 21:11






  • 1




    Why wouldn't they just paint a solid line then?
    – insidesin
    Nov 6 at 8:01






  • 4




    @insidesin: Because then they'd have to change the sign to read "Warning: Solid white line only marks the centre of the road"?
    – Ilmari Karonen
    Nov 6 at 10:28






  • 1




    @insidesin - Please notice that the sign doesn't mean that you can't overtake anywhere in that road. It just means that you need to judge by yourself instead of trusting the line. Very often, curvy mountain roads have short stretches with good visibility where overtaking is possible.
    – Pere
    Nov 6 at 11:10














  • 1




    @Fattie - If you are interested in roads like that, I've seen that sign in other parts of Spain, too.
    – Pere
    Nov 5 at 15:26








  • 2




    Good point about the narrowness, that's what I'd have wanted to add to the previous answers
    – Tobias Kienzler
    Nov 5 at 21:11






  • 1




    Why wouldn't they just paint a solid line then?
    – insidesin
    Nov 6 at 8:01






  • 4




    @insidesin: Because then they'd have to change the sign to read "Warning: Solid white line only marks the centre of the road"?
    – Ilmari Karonen
    Nov 6 at 10:28






  • 1




    @insidesin - Please notice that the sign doesn't mean that you can't overtake anywhere in that road. It just means that you need to judge by yourself instead of trusting the line. Very often, curvy mountain roads have short stretches with good visibility where overtaking is possible.
    – Pere
    Nov 6 at 11:10








1




1




@Fattie - If you are interested in roads like that, I've seen that sign in other parts of Spain, too.
– Pere
Nov 5 at 15:26






@Fattie - If you are interested in roads like that, I've seen that sign in other parts of Spain, too.
– Pere
Nov 5 at 15:26






2




2




Good point about the narrowness, that's what I'd have wanted to add to the previous answers
– Tobias Kienzler
Nov 5 at 21:11




Good point about the narrowness, that's what I'd have wanted to add to the previous answers
– Tobias Kienzler
Nov 5 at 21:11




1




1




Why wouldn't they just paint a solid line then?
– insidesin
Nov 6 at 8:01




Why wouldn't they just paint a solid line then?
– insidesin
Nov 6 at 8:01




4




4




@insidesin: Because then they'd have to change the sign to read "Warning: Solid white line only marks the centre of the road"?
– Ilmari Karonen
Nov 6 at 10:28




@insidesin: Because then they'd have to change the sign to read "Warning: Solid white line only marks the centre of the road"?
– Ilmari Karonen
Nov 6 at 10:28




1




1




@insidesin - Please notice that the sign doesn't mean that you can't overtake anywhere in that road. It just means that you need to judge by yourself instead of trusting the line. Very often, curvy mountain roads have short stretches with good visibility where overtaking is possible.
– Pere
Nov 6 at 11:10




@insidesin - Please notice that the sign doesn't mean that you can't overtake anywhere in that road. It just means that you need to judge by yourself instead of trusting the line. Very often, curvy mountain roads have short stretches with good visibility where overtaking is possible.
– Pere
Nov 6 at 11:10












up vote
64
down vote













It definitely means you mustn't assume *any meaning whatsoever, re overtaking, turning, or even whether "your" side of the road is actually all yours, exactly as it says, over and above that it marks the centre of the road.



If you're on your side of the broken line, you can't assume oncoming traffic will be entirely on the other side. The line only marks the centre, and does NOT even divide the lanes. Hence the usage on narrow roads.






share|improve this answer










New contributor




Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.














  • 16




    @DavidRicherby you appear to only have made this comment on one answer when the others declare they are guesses. I posted this because I think the other guesses are wrong, and dangerous. In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one and moreover make no further assumptions about any meaning of the broken line, over and above that it marks the centre, exactly as the sign advises.
    – Robert Frost
    Nov 5 at 3:31






  • 14




    This is correct. A mid line is normally a lane divider, but as the sign says - a broken one only shows road midpoint. EU regulations demands a normal road be at least 5,5 m wide to have two normal lakes if I remember correctly. This road is clearly not that wide.
    – Stian Yttervik
    Nov 5 at 6:15








  • 1




    This would also be my first interpretation. Just a warning that the road might be too narrow for 2 cars at some points, so you should not assume you "own" your lane just because there is a line (which only marks the middle of the road).
    – HectorLector
    Nov 5 at 10:17








  • 6




    @RobertFrost "In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one" Say what? Why should anybody at all assume that, given a bunch of answers without proof, yours is the correct one? What's so special about your unjustified assumptions compared to everybody else's?
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:45






  • 3




    @DavidSchwartz Note that the answer has been substantially edited since I commented.It began with "My interpretation is...", whereas the question is asking about what the markings and sign actually mean, not what people guess it means. As I recall, it directly contradicted other, more detailed and more highly voted answers and my own understanding. However, given that the answer has been edited, I've deleted my original comment.
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:48

















up vote
64
down vote













It definitely means you mustn't assume *any meaning whatsoever, re overtaking, turning, or even whether "your" side of the road is actually all yours, exactly as it says, over and above that it marks the centre of the road.



If you're on your side of the broken line, you can't assume oncoming traffic will be entirely on the other side. The line only marks the centre, and does NOT even divide the lanes. Hence the usage on narrow roads.






share|improve this answer










New contributor




Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.














  • 16




    @DavidRicherby you appear to only have made this comment on one answer when the others declare they are guesses. I posted this because I think the other guesses are wrong, and dangerous. In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one and moreover make no further assumptions about any meaning of the broken line, over and above that it marks the centre, exactly as the sign advises.
    – Robert Frost
    Nov 5 at 3:31






  • 14




    This is correct. A mid line is normally a lane divider, but as the sign says - a broken one only shows road midpoint. EU regulations demands a normal road be at least 5,5 m wide to have two normal lakes if I remember correctly. This road is clearly not that wide.
    – Stian Yttervik
    Nov 5 at 6:15








  • 1




    This would also be my first interpretation. Just a warning that the road might be too narrow for 2 cars at some points, so you should not assume you "own" your lane just because there is a line (which only marks the middle of the road).
    – HectorLector
    Nov 5 at 10:17








  • 6




    @RobertFrost "In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one" Say what? Why should anybody at all assume that, given a bunch of answers without proof, yours is the correct one? What's so special about your unjustified assumptions compared to everybody else's?
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:45






  • 3




    @DavidSchwartz Note that the answer has been substantially edited since I commented.It began with "My interpretation is...", whereas the question is asking about what the markings and sign actually mean, not what people guess it means. As I recall, it directly contradicted other, more detailed and more highly voted answers and my own understanding. However, given that the answer has been edited, I've deleted my original comment.
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:48















up vote
64
down vote










up vote
64
down vote









It definitely means you mustn't assume *any meaning whatsoever, re overtaking, turning, or even whether "your" side of the road is actually all yours, exactly as it says, over and above that it marks the centre of the road.



If you're on your side of the broken line, you can't assume oncoming traffic will be entirely on the other side. The line only marks the centre, and does NOT even divide the lanes. Hence the usage on narrow roads.






share|improve this answer










New contributor




Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









It definitely means you mustn't assume *any meaning whatsoever, re overtaking, turning, or even whether "your" side of the road is actually all yours, exactly as it says, over and above that it marks the centre of the road.



If you're on your side of the broken line, you can't assume oncoming traffic will be entirely on the other side. The line only marks the centre, and does NOT even divide the lanes. Hence the usage on narrow roads.







share|improve this answer










New contributor




Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Nov 5 at 3:35





















New contributor




Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









answered Nov 4 at 22:41









Robert Frost

59915




59915




New contributor




Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 16




    @DavidRicherby you appear to only have made this comment on one answer when the others declare they are guesses. I posted this because I think the other guesses are wrong, and dangerous. In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one and moreover make no further assumptions about any meaning of the broken line, over and above that it marks the centre, exactly as the sign advises.
    – Robert Frost
    Nov 5 at 3:31






  • 14




    This is correct. A mid line is normally a lane divider, but as the sign says - a broken one only shows road midpoint. EU regulations demands a normal road be at least 5,5 m wide to have two normal lakes if I remember correctly. This road is clearly not that wide.
    – Stian Yttervik
    Nov 5 at 6:15








  • 1




    This would also be my first interpretation. Just a warning that the road might be too narrow for 2 cars at some points, so you should not assume you "own" your lane just because there is a line (which only marks the middle of the road).
    – HectorLector
    Nov 5 at 10:17








  • 6




    @RobertFrost "In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one" Say what? Why should anybody at all assume that, given a bunch of answers without proof, yours is the correct one? What's so special about your unjustified assumptions compared to everybody else's?
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:45






  • 3




    @DavidSchwartz Note that the answer has been substantially edited since I commented.It began with "My interpretation is...", whereas the question is asking about what the markings and sign actually mean, not what people guess it means. As I recall, it directly contradicted other, more detailed and more highly voted answers and my own understanding. However, given that the answer has been edited, I've deleted my original comment.
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:48
















  • 16




    @DavidRicherby you appear to only have made this comment on one answer when the others declare they are guesses. I posted this because I think the other guesses are wrong, and dangerous. In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one and moreover make no further assumptions about any meaning of the broken line, over and above that it marks the centre, exactly as the sign advises.
    – Robert Frost
    Nov 5 at 3:31






  • 14




    This is correct. A mid line is normally a lane divider, but as the sign says - a broken one only shows road midpoint. EU regulations demands a normal road be at least 5,5 m wide to have two normal lakes if I remember correctly. This road is clearly not that wide.
    – Stian Yttervik
    Nov 5 at 6:15








  • 1




    This would also be my first interpretation. Just a warning that the road might be too narrow for 2 cars at some points, so you should not assume you "own" your lane just because there is a line (which only marks the middle of the road).
    – HectorLector
    Nov 5 at 10:17








  • 6




    @RobertFrost "In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one" Say what? Why should anybody at all assume that, given a bunch of answers without proof, yours is the correct one? What's so special about your unjustified assumptions compared to everybody else's?
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:45






  • 3




    @DavidSchwartz Note that the answer has been substantially edited since I commented.It began with "My interpretation is...", whereas the question is asking about what the markings and sign actually mean, not what people guess it means. As I recall, it directly contradicted other, more detailed and more highly voted answers and my own understanding. However, given that the answer has been edited, I've deleted my original comment.
    – David Richerby
    Nov 5 at 10:48










16




16




@DavidRicherby you appear to only have made this comment on one answer when the others declare they are guesses. I posted this because I think the other guesses are wrong, and dangerous. In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one and moreover make no further assumptions about any meaning of the broken line, over and above that it marks the centre, exactly as the sign advises.
– Robert Frost
Nov 5 at 3:31




@DavidRicherby you appear to only have made this comment on one answer when the others declare they are guesses. I posted this because I think the other guesses are wrong, and dangerous. In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one and moreover make no further assumptions about any meaning of the broken line, over and above that it marks the centre, exactly as the sign advises.
– Robert Frost
Nov 5 at 3:31




14




14




This is correct. A mid line is normally a lane divider, but as the sign says - a broken one only shows road midpoint. EU regulations demands a normal road be at least 5,5 m wide to have two normal lakes if I remember correctly. This road is clearly not that wide.
– Stian Yttervik
Nov 5 at 6:15






This is correct. A mid line is normally a lane divider, but as the sign says - a broken one only shows road midpoint. EU regulations demands a normal road be at least 5,5 m wide to have two normal lakes if I remember correctly. This road is clearly not that wide.
– Stian Yttervik
Nov 5 at 6:15






1




1




This would also be my first interpretation. Just a warning that the road might be too narrow for 2 cars at some points, so you should not assume you "own" your lane just because there is a line (which only marks the middle of the road).
– HectorLector
Nov 5 at 10:17






This would also be my first interpretation. Just a warning that the road might be too narrow for 2 cars at some points, so you should not assume you "own" your lane just because there is a line (which only marks the middle of the road).
– HectorLector
Nov 5 at 10:17






6




6




@RobertFrost "In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one" Say what? Why should anybody at all assume that, given a bunch of answers without proof, yours is the correct one? What's so special about your unjustified assumptions compared to everybody else's?
– David Richerby
Nov 5 at 10:45




@RobertFrost "In the absence of proof to the contrary one should assume my answer is the correct one" Say what? Why should anybody at all assume that, given a bunch of answers without proof, yours is the correct one? What's so special about your unjustified assumptions compared to everybody else's?
– David Richerby
Nov 5 at 10:45




3




3




@DavidSchwartz Note that the answer has been substantially edited since I commented.It began with "My interpretation is...", whereas the question is asking about what the markings and sign actually mean, not what people guess it means. As I recall, it directly contradicted other, more detailed and more highly voted answers and my own understanding. However, given that the answer has been edited, I've deleted my original comment.
– David Richerby
Nov 5 at 10:48






@DavidSchwartz Note that the answer has been substantially edited since I commented.It began with "My interpretation is...", whereas the question is asking about what the markings and sign actually mean, not what people guess it means. As I recall, it directly contradicted other, more detailed and more highly voted answers and my own understanding. However, given that the answer has been edited, I've deleted my original comment.
– David Richerby
Nov 5 at 10:48












up vote
34
down vote













If I understand it correctly, it has to do with overtaking, but the signage is really confusing.



In Spain, a continuous line means that overtaking is prohibited and it is in no case allowed to cross the line. That means, that it is even prohibited to turn left. It is allowed to overtake bicyclists, if you are able to keep a safe distance without actually crossing the continuous line.



A broken line means that you are allowed to overtake if traffic and visibility allows you to do so safely.



The sign you have found is quite common on narrow mountain roads and used together with a broken middle line. I guess it is supposed to be a reminder that even if it is strictly speaking not prohibited to overtake (due to the broken line), the road is too narrow and curvy at most places to do so safely. You may however have a chance driving uphill to quickly overtake a bicyclist or turn left, if that is required. Had they used a continuous line, you would not even had been allowed to turn left, or pass bicyclists.






share|improve this answer

















  • 7




    I wonder why the sign doesn't say "Passing may be unsafe" instead...
    – Tanner Swett
    Nov 5 at 4:10






  • 6




    @TannerSwett At least in part because "passing" without a direct object is not used to refer to overtaking outside the US. Here English is being used as an international language for all foreigners who don't totally understand Spanish, and such people would likely be puzzled by what it is exactly that they are not allowed to pass.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:13






  • 2




    However, the reason for the lack of comprehensibility in the sign as it is is probably that whoever was assigned to translate it just did their job of translating the Spanish literally, without thinking of how the intended audience of the sign, foreigners unfamiliar with the situation, would interpret it.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:17






  • 3




    @Fattie Comments are not intended for answers.
    – Servaes
    Nov 5 at 12:19






  • 7




    @Fattie, clearly, based on this answer, passing/overtaking zones are indicated by a broken white line in "this country". This sign indicates a specific instance, within "this country", where that is not the case. It seems to me to be a very clear answer, despite the fact that the sign and broken line seem to be at odds with each other. Granted, a quote of a relevant law would make this otherwise good answer an excellent one.
    – FreeMan
    Nov 5 at 14:55















up vote
34
down vote













If I understand it correctly, it has to do with overtaking, but the signage is really confusing.



In Spain, a continuous line means that overtaking is prohibited and it is in no case allowed to cross the line. That means, that it is even prohibited to turn left. It is allowed to overtake bicyclists, if you are able to keep a safe distance without actually crossing the continuous line.



A broken line means that you are allowed to overtake if traffic and visibility allows you to do so safely.



The sign you have found is quite common on narrow mountain roads and used together with a broken middle line. I guess it is supposed to be a reminder that even if it is strictly speaking not prohibited to overtake (due to the broken line), the road is too narrow and curvy at most places to do so safely. You may however have a chance driving uphill to quickly overtake a bicyclist or turn left, if that is required. Had they used a continuous line, you would not even had been allowed to turn left, or pass bicyclists.






share|improve this answer

















  • 7




    I wonder why the sign doesn't say "Passing may be unsafe" instead...
    – Tanner Swett
    Nov 5 at 4:10






  • 6




    @TannerSwett At least in part because "passing" without a direct object is not used to refer to overtaking outside the US. Here English is being used as an international language for all foreigners who don't totally understand Spanish, and such people would likely be puzzled by what it is exactly that they are not allowed to pass.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:13






  • 2




    However, the reason for the lack of comprehensibility in the sign as it is is probably that whoever was assigned to translate it just did their job of translating the Spanish literally, without thinking of how the intended audience of the sign, foreigners unfamiliar with the situation, would interpret it.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:17






  • 3




    @Fattie Comments are not intended for answers.
    – Servaes
    Nov 5 at 12:19






  • 7




    @Fattie, clearly, based on this answer, passing/overtaking zones are indicated by a broken white line in "this country". This sign indicates a specific instance, within "this country", where that is not the case. It seems to me to be a very clear answer, despite the fact that the sign and broken line seem to be at odds with each other. Granted, a quote of a relevant law would make this otherwise good answer an excellent one.
    – FreeMan
    Nov 5 at 14:55













up vote
34
down vote










up vote
34
down vote









If I understand it correctly, it has to do with overtaking, but the signage is really confusing.



In Spain, a continuous line means that overtaking is prohibited and it is in no case allowed to cross the line. That means, that it is even prohibited to turn left. It is allowed to overtake bicyclists, if you are able to keep a safe distance without actually crossing the continuous line.



A broken line means that you are allowed to overtake if traffic and visibility allows you to do so safely.



The sign you have found is quite common on narrow mountain roads and used together with a broken middle line. I guess it is supposed to be a reminder that even if it is strictly speaking not prohibited to overtake (due to the broken line), the road is too narrow and curvy at most places to do so safely. You may however have a chance driving uphill to quickly overtake a bicyclist or turn left, if that is required. Had they used a continuous line, you would not even had been allowed to turn left, or pass bicyclists.






share|improve this answer












If I understand it correctly, it has to do with overtaking, but the signage is really confusing.



In Spain, a continuous line means that overtaking is prohibited and it is in no case allowed to cross the line. That means, that it is even prohibited to turn left. It is allowed to overtake bicyclists, if you are able to keep a safe distance without actually crossing the continuous line.



A broken line means that you are allowed to overtake if traffic and visibility allows you to do so safely.



The sign you have found is quite common on narrow mountain roads and used together with a broken middle line. I guess it is supposed to be a reminder that even if it is strictly speaking not prohibited to overtake (due to the broken line), the road is too narrow and curvy at most places to do so safely. You may however have a chance driving uphill to quickly overtake a bicyclist or turn left, if that is required. Had they used a continuous line, you would not even had been allowed to turn left, or pass bicyclists.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Nov 4 at 20:21









Tor-Einar Jarnbjo

30.8k376112




30.8k376112








  • 7




    I wonder why the sign doesn't say "Passing may be unsafe" instead...
    – Tanner Swett
    Nov 5 at 4:10






  • 6




    @TannerSwett At least in part because "passing" without a direct object is not used to refer to overtaking outside the US. Here English is being used as an international language for all foreigners who don't totally understand Spanish, and such people would likely be puzzled by what it is exactly that they are not allowed to pass.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:13






  • 2




    However, the reason for the lack of comprehensibility in the sign as it is is probably that whoever was assigned to translate it just did their job of translating the Spanish literally, without thinking of how the intended audience of the sign, foreigners unfamiliar with the situation, would interpret it.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:17






  • 3




    @Fattie Comments are not intended for answers.
    – Servaes
    Nov 5 at 12:19






  • 7




    @Fattie, clearly, based on this answer, passing/overtaking zones are indicated by a broken white line in "this country". This sign indicates a specific instance, within "this country", where that is not the case. It seems to me to be a very clear answer, despite the fact that the sign and broken line seem to be at odds with each other. Granted, a quote of a relevant law would make this otherwise good answer an excellent one.
    – FreeMan
    Nov 5 at 14:55














  • 7




    I wonder why the sign doesn't say "Passing may be unsafe" instead...
    – Tanner Swett
    Nov 5 at 4:10






  • 6




    @TannerSwett At least in part because "passing" without a direct object is not used to refer to overtaking outside the US. Here English is being used as an international language for all foreigners who don't totally understand Spanish, and such people would likely be puzzled by what it is exactly that they are not allowed to pass.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:13






  • 2




    However, the reason for the lack of comprehensibility in the sign as it is is probably that whoever was assigned to translate it just did their job of translating the Spanish literally, without thinking of how the intended audience of the sign, foreigners unfamiliar with the situation, would interpret it.
    – Robert Furber
    Nov 5 at 8:17






  • 3




    @Fattie Comments are not intended for answers.
    – Servaes
    Nov 5 at 12:19






  • 7




    @Fattie, clearly, based on this answer, passing/overtaking zones are indicated by a broken white line in "this country". This sign indicates a specific instance, within "this country", where that is not the case. It seems to me to be a very clear answer, despite the fact that the sign and broken line seem to be at odds with each other. Granted, a quote of a relevant law would make this otherwise good answer an excellent one.
    – FreeMan
    Nov 5 at 14:55








7




7




I wonder why the sign doesn't say "Passing may be unsafe" instead...
– Tanner Swett
Nov 5 at 4:10




I wonder why the sign doesn't say "Passing may be unsafe" instead...
– Tanner Swett
Nov 5 at 4:10




6




6




@TannerSwett At least in part because "passing" without a direct object is not used to refer to overtaking outside the US. Here English is being used as an international language for all foreigners who don't totally understand Spanish, and such people would likely be puzzled by what it is exactly that they are not allowed to pass.
– Robert Furber
Nov 5 at 8:13




@TannerSwett At least in part because "passing" without a direct object is not used to refer to overtaking outside the US. Here English is being used as an international language for all foreigners who don't totally understand Spanish, and such people would likely be puzzled by what it is exactly that they are not allowed to pass.
– Robert Furber
Nov 5 at 8:13




2




2




However, the reason for the lack of comprehensibility in the sign as it is is probably that whoever was assigned to translate it just did their job of translating the Spanish literally, without thinking of how the intended audience of the sign, foreigners unfamiliar with the situation, would interpret it.
– Robert Furber
Nov 5 at 8:17




However, the reason for the lack of comprehensibility in the sign as it is is probably that whoever was assigned to translate it just did their job of translating the Spanish literally, without thinking of how the intended audience of the sign, foreigners unfamiliar with the situation, would interpret it.
– Robert Furber
Nov 5 at 8:17




3




3




@Fattie Comments are not intended for answers.
– Servaes
Nov 5 at 12:19




@Fattie Comments are not intended for answers.
– Servaes
Nov 5 at 12:19




7




7




@Fattie, clearly, based on this answer, passing/overtaking zones are indicated by a broken white line in "this country". This sign indicates a specific instance, within "this country", where that is not the case. It seems to me to be a very clear answer, despite the fact that the sign and broken line seem to be at odds with each other. Granted, a quote of a relevant law would make this otherwise good answer an excellent one.
– FreeMan
Nov 5 at 14:55




@Fattie, clearly, based on this answer, passing/overtaking zones are indicated by a broken white line in "this country". This sign indicates a specific instance, within "this country", where that is not the case. It seems to me to be a very clear answer, despite the fact that the sign and broken line seem to be at odds with each other. Granted, a quote of a relevant law would make this otherwise good answer an excellent one.
– FreeMan
Nov 5 at 14:55










up vote
13
down vote













In many countries, it is common to indicate with the broken line that it is a place where it is safely possible to overtake.

Teneriffa is not following this usage, and to make sure people don't assume so, warns about it. Otherwise, many people would assume it is save to overtake - and have bad accidents (probably what happened and triggered the sign)






share|improve this answer

















  • 5




    Someone who would drive on a narrow, winding road through the mountains; and assume that it's safe to overtake; should probably have to surrender their licence.
    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    Nov 4 at 20:52






  • 3




    @DawoodibnKareem , I agree. But instead they kill themselves and potentially a local in an accident. Teneriffans probably didn't mind visitors killing themselves, but they don't like all the locals dying with them...
    – Aganju
    Nov 4 at 20:55






  • 5




    In the UK, solid lines mean crossing the center line is illegal (unless you are overtaking traffic which has a maximum speed of 20mph or less, like a horse and cart or a steam roller), long dashes like the OP's picture mean crossing the line to overtake is legal but there is a hazard ahead (for example restricted visibility because of a curve in the road), and short dashes with longer gaps mean overtaking is "safe".
    – alephzero
    Nov 4 at 21:13












  • @alephzero actually if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. (quote taken from the section on dashed+solid, as nothing is listed under the preceeding section on double solid)
    – Chris H
    Nov 5 at 9:00








  • 3




    @Aganju It's probably safe to assume that the local first responders don't like cleaning up nasty messes caused by tourists killing themselves and the rest of locals don't like having to detour around bloody dead tourists.
    – Dan Neely
    Nov 5 at 20:41















up vote
13
down vote













In many countries, it is common to indicate with the broken line that it is a place where it is safely possible to overtake.

Teneriffa is not following this usage, and to make sure people don't assume so, warns about it. Otherwise, many people would assume it is save to overtake - and have bad accidents (probably what happened and triggered the sign)






share|improve this answer

















  • 5




    Someone who would drive on a narrow, winding road through the mountains; and assume that it's safe to overtake; should probably have to surrender their licence.
    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    Nov 4 at 20:52






  • 3




    @DawoodibnKareem , I agree. But instead they kill themselves and potentially a local in an accident. Teneriffans probably didn't mind visitors killing themselves, but they don't like all the locals dying with them...
    – Aganju
    Nov 4 at 20:55






  • 5




    In the UK, solid lines mean crossing the center line is illegal (unless you are overtaking traffic which has a maximum speed of 20mph or less, like a horse and cart or a steam roller), long dashes like the OP's picture mean crossing the line to overtake is legal but there is a hazard ahead (for example restricted visibility because of a curve in the road), and short dashes with longer gaps mean overtaking is "safe".
    – alephzero
    Nov 4 at 21:13












  • @alephzero actually if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. (quote taken from the section on dashed+solid, as nothing is listed under the preceeding section on double solid)
    – Chris H
    Nov 5 at 9:00








  • 3




    @Aganju It's probably safe to assume that the local first responders don't like cleaning up nasty messes caused by tourists killing themselves and the rest of locals don't like having to detour around bloody dead tourists.
    – Dan Neely
    Nov 5 at 20:41













up vote
13
down vote










up vote
13
down vote









In many countries, it is common to indicate with the broken line that it is a place where it is safely possible to overtake.

Teneriffa is not following this usage, and to make sure people don't assume so, warns about it. Otherwise, many people would assume it is save to overtake - and have bad accidents (probably what happened and triggered the sign)






share|improve this answer












In many countries, it is common to indicate with the broken line that it is a place where it is safely possible to overtake.

Teneriffa is not following this usage, and to make sure people don't assume so, warns about it. Otherwise, many people would assume it is save to overtake - and have bad accidents (probably what happened and triggered the sign)







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Nov 4 at 20:19









Aganju

18k53972




18k53972








  • 5




    Someone who would drive on a narrow, winding road through the mountains; and assume that it's safe to overtake; should probably have to surrender their licence.
    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    Nov 4 at 20:52






  • 3




    @DawoodibnKareem , I agree. But instead they kill themselves and potentially a local in an accident. Teneriffans probably didn't mind visitors killing themselves, but they don't like all the locals dying with them...
    – Aganju
    Nov 4 at 20:55






  • 5




    In the UK, solid lines mean crossing the center line is illegal (unless you are overtaking traffic which has a maximum speed of 20mph or less, like a horse and cart or a steam roller), long dashes like the OP's picture mean crossing the line to overtake is legal but there is a hazard ahead (for example restricted visibility because of a curve in the road), and short dashes with longer gaps mean overtaking is "safe".
    – alephzero
    Nov 4 at 21:13












  • @alephzero actually if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. (quote taken from the section on dashed+solid, as nothing is listed under the preceeding section on double solid)
    – Chris H
    Nov 5 at 9:00








  • 3




    @Aganju It's probably safe to assume that the local first responders don't like cleaning up nasty messes caused by tourists killing themselves and the rest of locals don't like having to detour around bloody dead tourists.
    – Dan Neely
    Nov 5 at 20:41














  • 5




    Someone who would drive on a narrow, winding road through the mountains; and assume that it's safe to overtake; should probably have to surrender their licence.
    – Dawood ibn Kareem
    Nov 4 at 20:52






  • 3




    @DawoodibnKareem , I agree. But instead they kill themselves and potentially a local in an accident. Teneriffans probably didn't mind visitors killing themselves, but they don't like all the locals dying with them...
    – Aganju
    Nov 4 at 20:55






  • 5




    In the UK, solid lines mean crossing the center line is illegal (unless you are overtaking traffic which has a maximum speed of 20mph or less, like a horse and cart or a steam roller), long dashes like the OP's picture mean crossing the line to overtake is legal but there is a hazard ahead (for example restricted visibility because of a curve in the road), and short dashes with longer gaps mean overtaking is "safe".
    – alephzero
    Nov 4 at 21:13












  • @alephzero actually if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. (quote taken from the section on dashed+solid, as nothing is listed under the preceeding section on double solid)
    – Chris H
    Nov 5 at 9:00








  • 3




    @Aganju It's probably safe to assume that the local first responders don't like cleaning up nasty messes caused by tourists killing themselves and the rest of locals don't like having to detour around bloody dead tourists.
    – Dan Neely
    Nov 5 at 20:41








5




5




Someone who would drive on a narrow, winding road through the mountains; and assume that it's safe to overtake; should probably have to surrender their licence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Nov 4 at 20:52




Someone who would drive on a narrow, winding road through the mountains; and assume that it's safe to overtake; should probably have to surrender their licence.
– Dawood ibn Kareem
Nov 4 at 20:52




3




3




@DawoodibnKareem , I agree. But instead they kill themselves and potentially a local in an accident. Teneriffans probably didn't mind visitors killing themselves, but they don't like all the locals dying with them...
– Aganju
Nov 4 at 20:55




@DawoodibnKareem , I agree. But instead they kill themselves and potentially a local in an accident. Teneriffans probably didn't mind visitors killing themselves, but they don't like all the locals dying with them...
– Aganju
Nov 4 at 20:55




5




5




In the UK, solid lines mean crossing the center line is illegal (unless you are overtaking traffic which has a maximum speed of 20mph or less, like a horse and cart or a steam roller), long dashes like the OP's picture mean crossing the line to overtake is legal but there is a hazard ahead (for example restricted visibility because of a curve in the road), and short dashes with longer gaps mean overtaking is "safe".
– alephzero
Nov 4 at 21:13






In the UK, solid lines mean crossing the center line is illegal (unless you are overtaking traffic which has a maximum speed of 20mph or less, like a horse and cart or a steam roller), long dashes like the OP's picture mean crossing the line to overtake is legal but there is a hazard ahead (for example restricted visibility because of a curve in the road), and short dashes with longer gaps mean overtaking is "safe".
– alephzero
Nov 4 at 21:13














@alephzero actually if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. (quote taken from the section on dashed+solid, as nothing is listed under the preceeding section on double solid)
– Chris H
Nov 5 at 9:00






@alephzero actually if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. (quote taken from the section on dashed+solid, as nothing is listed under the preceeding section on double solid)
– Chris H
Nov 5 at 9:00






3




3




@Aganju It's probably safe to assume that the local first responders don't like cleaning up nasty messes caused by tourists killing themselves and the rest of locals don't like having to detour around bloody dead tourists.
– Dan Neely
Nov 5 at 20:41




@Aganju It's probably safe to assume that the local first responders don't like cleaning up nasty messes caused by tourists killing themselves and the rest of locals don't like having to detour around bloody dead tourists.
– Dan Neely
Nov 5 at 20:41










up vote
5
down vote













It means "don't rely on the lines only, use your common sense especially when invading the opposite side such as when overtaking or turning left".



The sign also intends to warn that you might encounter large vehicles taking some of "your" road just to be able to take a turn or even circulate on a straight section.



I've seen a variation of this sign in rural or mountaineous roads in Castelló. That area is very sparsely populated, there's few traffic, road maintenance could be way better and the road features (shorter straight sections, bends, mountain passes) could make it impossible to overtake for larger/heavier vehicles (buses, trucks, cars) but be perfectly fine for lighter ones (cars, motorbikes).



An accident in those sparsely populated areas could mean that help is going to take a while to arrive.






share|improve this answer























  • Panning that screen shot to the left shows that a truck will fit on its own side of the road. Just. I wouldn't count on every one of them taking up only his own side of the road. Good find!
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 16:04










  • @FreeMan You're welcome! That's the road to my parents hometown, so I know well the area :)
    – orique
    Nov 6 at 16:07

















up vote
5
down vote













It means "don't rely on the lines only, use your common sense especially when invading the opposite side such as when overtaking or turning left".



The sign also intends to warn that you might encounter large vehicles taking some of "your" road just to be able to take a turn or even circulate on a straight section.



I've seen a variation of this sign in rural or mountaineous roads in Castelló. That area is very sparsely populated, there's few traffic, road maintenance could be way better and the road features (shorter straight sections, bends, mountain passes) could make it impossible to overtake for larger/heavier vehicles (buses, trucks, cars) but be perfectly fine for lighter ones (cars, motorbikes).



An accident in those sparsely populated areas could mean that help is going to take a while to arrive.






share|improve this answer























  • Panning that screen shot to the left shows that a truck will fit on its own side of the road. Just. I wouldn't count on every one of them taking up only his own side of the road. Good find!
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 16:04










  • @FreeMan You're welcome! That's the road to my parents hometown, so I know well the area :)
    – orique
    Nov 6 at 16:07















up vote
5
down vote










up vote
5
down vote









It means "don't rely on the lines only, use your common sense especially when invading the opposite side such as when overtaking or turning left".



The sign also intends to warn that you might encounter large vehicles taking some of "your" road just to be able to take a turn or even circulate on a straight section.



I've seen a variation of this sign in rural or mountaineous roads in Castelló. That area is very sparsely populated, there's few traffic, road maintenance could be way better and the road features (shorter straight sections, bends, mountain passes) could make it impossible to overtake for larger/heavier vehicles (buses, trucks, cars) but be perfectly fine for lighter ones (cars, motorbikes).



An accident in those sparsely populated areas could mean that help is going to take a while to arrive.






share|improve this answer














It means "don't rely on the lines only, use your common sense especially when invading the opposite side such as when overtaking or turning left".



The sign also intends to warn that you might encounter large vehicles taking some of "your" road just to be able to take a turn or even circulate on a straight section.



I've seen a variation of this sign in rural or mountaineous roads in Castelló. That area is very sparsely populated, there's few traffic, road maintenance could be way better and the road features (shorter straight sections, bends, mountain passes) could make it impossible to overtake for larger/heavier vehicles (buses, trucks, cars) but be perfectly fine for lighter ones (cars, motorbikes).



An accident in those sparsely populated areas could mean that help is going to take a while to arrive.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Nov 6 at 16:33

























answered Nov 6 at 8:31









orique

1,066618




1,066618












  • Panning that screen shot to the left shows that a truck will fit on its own side of the road. Just. I wouldn't count on every one of them taking up only his own side of the road. Good find!
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 16:04










  • @FreeMan You're welcome! That's the road to my parents hometown, so I know well the area :)
    – orique
    Nov 6 at 16:07




















  • Panning that screen shot to the left shows that a truck will fit on its own side of the road. Just. I wouldn't count on every one of them taking up only his own side of the road. Good find!
    – FreeMan
    Nov 6 at 16:04










  • @FreeMan You're welcome! That's the road to my parents hometown, so I know well the area :)
    – orique
    Nov 6 at 16:07


















Panning that screen shot to the left shows that a truck will fit on its own side of the road. Just. I wouldn't count on every one of them taking up only his own side of the road. Good find!
– FreeMan
Nov 6 at 16:04




Panning that screen shot to the left shows that a truck will fit on its own side of the road. Just. I wouldn't count on every one of them taking up only his own side of the road. Good find!
– FreeMan
Nov 6 at 16:04












@FreeMan You're welcome! That's the road to my parents hometown, so I know well the area :)
– orique
Nov 6 at 16:07






@FreeMan You're welcome! That's the road to my parents hometown, so I know well the area :)
– orique
Nov 6 at 16:07




















 

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