A single broken white line down the center of a two-lane road indicates:
- Lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are not permitted to pass.
- Lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so.
- Lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are not permitted to pass.
- Lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so. ✓
Answer: D. Lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so.
A single broken white line down the center of a two-lane road means the lanes carry traffic moving in the same direction, and you may pass when it is safe to do so.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says that when each lane of a one-way road is marked with a broken white line, you may drive in any lane, so white markings separate lanes going the same way. It also says you may cross a broken line to pass another vehicle, but not if it isn't safe or if the line is solid. A broken white line therefore allows passing when conditions permit it, while the yellow center line rules apply to traffic flowing in opposite directions.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are not permitted to pass. — Lanes going opposite directions are separated by a yellow center line that you keep to the right of, not by a white line, and a broken line does allow crossing.
- B. Lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so. — Traffic moving in opposite directions is divided by yellow markings, so the white line does not describe oncoming lanes.
- C. Lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are not permitted to pass. — A broken line is the one you may cross to pass, so saying passing is not permitted contradicts the handbook's rule about broken lines.
Remember it
Broken means you may cross it when the way is clear; solid means stay in your lane.