California Vehicle Code 21460(a) Can be Tricky
Every driver knows that you’re never supposed to cross double yellow lines down the center of a road, but it does happen from time to time.
Way back in the early 1990s, Isuzu even created a commercial about “staying within the lines”. The lines that are painted on roads can be our friends and keep us safe, but sometimes people go outside the lines, and that’s when the trouble begins.
CVC 21460(a) states, “If double parallel solid yellow lines are in place, a person driving a vehicle shall not drive to the left of the lines, except as permitted in this section.”
Further subsections of this code indicate the specific circumstances under which a driver may be allowed to cross the double lines, but they are really few and far between. If a police officer sees you crossing that line, getting a ticket for doing so is pretty much a done deal.
Traffic Signs, Signals & Markings are Everywhere
California roadways deal with high a volume of vehicles, which require clear and consistent direction to safely facilitate the flow of traffic. It is a good idea to become familiar with each type of signage in efforts of eliminating any confusion and avoiding a possible citation:
- U-Turn – Restricts drivers from turning the vehicle around in certain areas of the roadway
- Stop Sign – Requires drivers to bring the vehicle to a complete stop behind the limit line, these signs are usually located on residential streets and low-speed limit areas
- High Occupancy Lanes (HOV) – Signage that requires multiple people to be in the vehicle to access the specific lane. The signs are traditionally located on major freeways/highways
- No Right Turn – Requires a driver to wait for a green light before making a right turn
- Speed Limit – Defines the specific speed a driver should travel in a certain portion of the roadway
- Yield – Mandates extra attention to a specific intersection on the roadway
- One-Way – Defines the direction of travel on a roadway where only one direction of travel is allowed
These are just a couple of the most popular signs you will find while interacting on the California roadways. There are over 50 different signs and markings that CalTrans uses in order to give drivers clear direction.
If you come across a sign or marking you are unfamiliar with look under the tickets tab (on our website), we have developed a page for the different types of California violations/signs.
The Cost Of Crossing Double Yellow Lines
Fines for double crossing yellow line violations start at $237 and a point on the violator’s driving record.
Did you receive a violation for crossing over the lines on the roadway? Reach out to our team and tell us about your situation. We offer a free ticket review and can provide possible options for dismissal.