Not overtaking cyclist

[creampuffs]

I was driving down a very narrow twisty road 20mph speed limit when I caught up with a very slow cyclist. Double white lines down centre of road, lots of blind bends. Had to slow to 10mph at one point. Cars started queuing behind me getting irate and beeping because I couldn't overtake. One even went round me and the bike at one point. But I honestly couldn't see how to pass safely. It would have meant risking either a head on crash or knocking over the cyclist. Got to the end of the double white lines and finally had a clear view to overtake when not 1 but 2 of the cars behind me decide to overtake us aggressively. Was I really unreasonable to wait until it was safe to overtake? Left feeling quite upset and rattled by the other cars' behaviour as clearly everyone else thought I should have just overtaken.

If you do not have a clear view that covers the whole of your intended move, it is too dangerous to overtake.

That's how head-on collisions happen.

As an cyclist I thank you OP. I would have tried to pull over if it was possible and safe and allow you and other traffic to pass.

As has been pointed out, double white lines don't forbid you from overtaking

They do if both white lines are unbroken.

You did the right thing, those saying you were over cautious because others overtook you are probably the sort of driver that would have done the same thing so I wouldn’t concern yourself with them. For some reason there are drivers out there who think their journey is more important than anything or anyone else when in reality any delay is usually a couple of minutes.

Thankyou OP

I was cycling along a narrow & very quiet road yesterday, a car over took at speed on a blind bend, a blue car was coming the other way, how they didn't collide is down to the blue car driving into the verge, it was very scary, at least 3 people could have died.

whenever i have a car behind me, waiting, i stop n let them pass when safe to do so, it avoids people getting angry and doing stupid things, its better for all.

I can only assume some people think that plastic and metal shell they are in will protect them from a head on collision with a combined speed of 80 or 90 mph :(

Did you miss the but I wrote in brackets? I think you did.

@NumptiesIncorporated

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.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 26

Did you miss the bit where I said 'if both lines are unbroken'?

You are talking about where only one line is unbroken.

No I'm not. I was talking about double SOLID white lines.

Impatient drivers are a scourge on our roads

Indeed, you are correct. The RAC article I was getting my information from was misleading, it turns out. Sorry!

I would still say, in ops specific experience, given that she only went down to 10mph once, the bike was probably going over that speed most of the time and overtaking on the double white lines, assuming that the one nearest op was unbroken, wasn't ok

You did the right thing OP. Thank you from a cyclist and motorist.

I've just double-checked in response to a comment by someone else, and a double white with both unbroken has exactly the same rules (for people on your side of the road) as one where only the line near you is solid.

So the rule that you can overtake a cyclist doing 10mph or less provided it is safe to do so does apply to double solid lines, as well as double lines where only the nearest one is solid.

Yes we have a few similiar roads. If unsafe to overtake then stay behind the cyclist.

Rule for double solid lines -

A double solid white lines in the centre of the road. 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 10mph or less.

Rule for double lines where the one nearest you is solid and the far one is broken -

the same rules apply as for the double solid white line

driving-test-success.com/road-lane-markings.htm#:~:text=Never%20cross%20a%20hazard%20warning,premises%20or%20a%20side%20road.

Yes @Getoff , I posted to say I was wrong (based on a misleading RAC article) already.

No worries. Sorry for the mix-up.

I agree and think it could've been too risky. As I mentioned in a PP, the limit was 20mph so don't think it would've been feasible to overtake safely and to get back into the lane. So I personally wouldn't cross the white line and think the OP did the right thing.

Although without seeing the road it's difficult to say but the 20mph limit gives us a clue!

All the best.

OP you were right in that situation, I am just not sure to point out 'a slow cyclist'. A cyclist is a cyclist. Better keep them (and yourself) safe.

I agree with what Lunar just said.

Was I really unreasonable to wait until it was safe to overtake?

Even if others think you were, you did what you thought was safe for the speed limit and type of road, you were the one in control of the car, so not unreasonable.

For what it's worth, I'd have done the same as you.

YADNBU, you did the right thing, this cyclist thanks you.

Yes you did the right thing. You are responsible for your own actions when driving it doesn't matter what drivers behind you think. They might have more powerful cars, a different driving position that means they can see more. You might have a slower processing speed than them. Or they might just be twats.

I was discussing this sort of situation with a friend once who said "oh I just take a risk and overtake anyway, otherwise I'd never get anywhere", I was gobsmacked.

Double white lines aren't a serving suggestion. They're 100%clear that it isn't safe to cross them.