Can anyone explain why the line markings on our main roads are now wider than of yore?
Or explain why the formerly single interrupted centre line is now a double interrupted line?

Apart from using more paint, what is achieved?

A conspiracy by big paint.

Skilled P drivers can effortlessly do 130 and should be privileged to 150kmh. Two such road kings would meet at 300kmh. A gap between them is one small step for mankind.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 4:02pm:

Can anyone explain why the line markings on our main roads are now wider than of yore? Or explain why the formerly single interrupted centre line is now a double interrupted line? Apart from using more paint, what is achieved?

Because drivers with less than 20/20 vision can clearly see the markings. Also with many newer cars that have radar and lane keeping warnings it makes it more reliable for the radar to notify the driver when crossing lines.

Before anyone jumps off a bridge I'm just explaining why, I'm not an advocate for anything.

Leroy wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 7:34pm:

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 20th, 2025 at 4:02pm: Can anyone explain why the line markings on our main roads are now wider than of yore? Or explain why the formerly single interrupted centre line is now a double interrupted line? Apart from using more paint, what is achieved? Because drivers with less than 20/20 vision can clearly see the markings. Also with many newer cars that have radar and lane keeping warnings it makes it more reliable for the radar to notify the driver when crossing lines. Before anyone jumps off a bridge I'm just explaining why, I'm not an advocate for anything.

Sounds reasonable, can you throw any light on why the older, thinner markings are used on many rural roads?
I’m also curious as to why the delineating lines are continuous when if they were interrupted in the usual way only half as much paint would be needed?
Thus saving the taxpayers hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars Australia wide.

The interrupted lines have a different meaning.

freediver wrote on Apr 21^st, 2025 at 8:36pm:

The interrupted lines have a different meaning.

Not when they are used to delineate the road.
Have a deko on U-Tube, many foreign countries have interrupted lines marking the outside edge of the carriageway.
Of interest is the fact that, until recently, the continuous line at the side of the road was treated legally the same as the continuous centre lines and it was an offence to cross it unless stopping or turning.
Simply pulling over where there was a sufficiently wide shoulder to allow traffic to pass was an offence.

Quote:

until recently

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/road/lines#:~:text=You%20must%20not%20cross%20the,vehicles%20to%20overtake%20or%20pass.


Quote:

You must not cross the continuous white line at the edge of the road unless you are:

Black marks on the roads are not trucks emergency braking - they're slow natives... (OOOOOOH!)   ::)

freediver wrote on Apr 21^st, 2025 at 9:00pm:

Quote: until recently https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/road/lines#:~:text=You%20must%20not%20cross%20the,vehicles%20to%20overtake%20or%20pass. [quote]You must not cross the continuous white line at the edge of the road unless you are:

[/quote]


Quote:

You must not cross the continuous white line at the edge of the road unless you are: overtaking to the left of a vehicle that is turning right or making a U-turn driving a slow-moving vehicle—to allow other vehicles to overtake or pass. You can cross a continuous white edge line and travel for up to 100m when you are: entering or leaving a single lane road turning at an intersection from a single lane road stopping at the side of a road—unless signs or markings say not to.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/road/lines#:~:text=You%20must%20not%20cross%20the,vehicles%20to%20overtake%20or%20pass.

Gnads wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2025 at 11:28am:

freediver wrote on Apr 21st, 2025 at 9:00pm: Quote: until recently https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/road/lines#:~:text=You%20must%20not%20cross%20the,vehicles%20to%20overtake%20or%20pass. [quote]You must not cross the continuous white line at the edge of the road unless you are:

Quote:

You must not cross the continuous white line at the edge of the road unless you are: overtaking to the left of a vehicle that is turning right or making a U-turn driving a slow-moving vehicle—to allow other vehicles to overtake or pass. You can cross a continuous white edge line and travel for up to 100m when you are: entering or leaving a single lane road turning at an intersection from a single lane road stopping at the side of a road—unless signs or markings say not to.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/road/lines#:~:text=You%20must%20not%20cross%20the,vehicles%20to%20overtake%20or%20pass.[/quote]
‘’Recently’’ was when a New England grazier was towing a horse float and pulled over the line to let a police car go bye, they promptly pulled him over and charged him, courtesy was not part of their thinking.
Naturally a bit miffed he complained and, for a wonder, was listened too.
The details were plastered in the local papers.

But why use a continuous line when an interrupted line would do and save half the paint?

Quote:

But why use a continuous line when an interrupted line would do and save half the paint?

No paint at all would save even more money. Double even. But only the fraction of the saving you would get from no bitumen.

freediver wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2025 at 1:08pm:

Quote: But why use a continuous line when an interrupted line would do and save half the paint? No paint at all would save even more money. Double even. But only the fraction of the saving you would get from no bitumen.

True, and when, some 25 years ago the NSW Government, in their collective wisdom, told country councils that they could no longer tar narrow roads, they had to make all bitumen roads wider.
A number of councils solved the problem posed to their finances by putting the rippers through the suddenly unsuitable roads and making them into black gravel roads that met the Government’s standards.

We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern.

freediver wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2025 at 9:05pm:

We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern.

Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too.

Gnads wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 8:39am:

freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too.

So?

If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council?

freediver wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2025 at 9:05pm:

We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern.

It should worry you as a citizen that on many rural roads the paint is misleading and the interrupted line goes around blind corners and over crests.
Not that such disregard for safety is confined to rural roads.
The New England Highway, immediately south of Stonehenge, has a straight, followed by a left hand curve over a crest in a blind corner safely protected by interrupted new double lines., which would seem to indicate that those doing the painting are either stupid or don’t give a toss..
This is not an isolated example.

freediver wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 8:40am:

Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:39am: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too. So? If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council?

Yes you could make the council pay for the roads and they in turn could add that to their rates.

The producers could then add that to the cost of the goods and then the buyer of those goods would pay more for the products.

Leroy wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 1:34pm:

freediver wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:40am: Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:39am: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too. So? If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council? Yes you could make the council pay for the roads and they in turn could add that to their rates. The producers could then add that to the cost of the goods and then the buyer of those goods would pay more for the products.

So, yes but no?

freediver wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 8:40am:

Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:39am: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too. So? If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council?

Ask Albo - he got one to the new mansion.

At any rate it's not just one person living down those roads - their places are just bigger than your unit or suburban yard - which you would have had all weather access roads/kerbing & channeling to for decades.

Most have had dirt roads forever and some are now bitumen - single lane.

Road transport services many rural areas to get your din-dins to the supermarkets and processors.

Dirt roads & wet weather can mean no supply - do you go hungry? 

Very self serving of you.

Gnads wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 4:04pm:

freediver wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:40am: Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:39am: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too. So? If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council? Ask Albo - he got one to the new mansion. At any rate it's not just one person living down those roads - their places are just bigger than your unit or suburban yard - which you would have had all weather access roads/kerbing & channeling to for decades. Most have had dirt roads forever and some are now bitumen - single lane. Road transport services many rural areas to get your din-dins to the supermarkets and processors. Dirt roads & wet weather can mean no supply - do you go hungry?  Very self serving of you.

You are kind of missing the point. I need food, housing, electricity, water, and all sorts of other things. None of it justifies million dollar handouts, and we are not going to starve just because we start having rational thoughts about road funding.

Saying "oh yes, but we need food" is just a pissweak excuse for intellectual laziness.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 1:26pm:

freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. It should worry you as a citizen that on many rural roads the paint is misleading and the interrupted line goes around blind corners and over crests. Not that such disregard for safety is confined to rural roads. The New England Highway, immediately south of Stonehenge, has a straight, followed by a left hand curve over a crest in a blind corner safely protected by interrupted new double lines., which would seem to indicate that those doing the painting are either stupid or don’t give a toss.. This is not an isolated example.

It's a long sweeping curve over a minimal rise.

Nothing blind about the curve at all - there is plenty of distance vision for any safe overtaking.

freediver wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 4:12pm:

Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 4:04pm: freediver wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:40am: Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:39am: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too. So? If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council? Ask Albo - he got one to the new mansion. At any rate it's not just one person living down those roads - their places are just bigger than your unit or suburban yard - which you would have had all weather access roads/kerbing & channeling to for decades. Most have had dirt roads forever and some are now bitumen - single lane. Road transport services many rural areas to get your din-dins to the supermarkets and processors. Dirt roads & wet weather can mean no supply - do you go hungry?  Very self serving of you. You are kind of missing the point. I need food, housing, electricity, water, and all sorts of other things. None of it justifies million dollar handouts, and we are not going to starve just because we start having rational thoughts about road funding. Saying "oh yes, but we need food" is just a pissweak excuse for intellectual laziness.

Handouts? FFS - how much other taxpayer money is wasted outside of Australia.

Making it all about you & what you've had for decades as a justifiable reason to reduce funding for regional roads is what I'd call a piss weak excuse let alone pseudo - intellectual laziness.

I take it you don't travel to see the country?

Quote:

Handouts? FFS - how much other taxpayer money is wasted outside of Australia.

Why is this relevant? Are you saying that wasting taxpayers money is a rational reason to waste taxpayers money?


Quote:

Making it all about you

Huh? Which part of this is about me?

Focus Gnads. You are getting emotional and using that as an excuse for laziness.

Gnads wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 4:13pm:

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 1:26pm: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. It should worry you as a citizen that on many rural roads the paint is misleading and the interrupted line goes around blind corners and over crests. Not that such disregard for safety is confined to rural roads. The New England Highway, immediately south of Stonehenge, has a straight, followed by a left hand curve over a crest in a blind corner safely protected by interrupted new double lines., which would seem to indicate that those doing the painting are either stupid or don’t give a toss.. This is not an isolated example. It's a long sweeping curve over a minimal rise. Nothing blind about the curve at all - there is plenty of distance vision for any safe overtaking.

Sure it’s a sweeping curve, I wouldn’t call it long but it is blind and the minimal rise is enough to conceal an oncoming vehicle.
Where did you get your licence and how long ago were you tested?

One would think that a curve that one cannot see around would be considered blind especially when it has a blind crest as well.

Just Google , ‘’Google Earth’’ it gives the elevations relevant to the curve and crest, you might be surprised, and enlightened.

freediver wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 8:40am:

Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:39am: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too. So? If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council?

A rural road is not comparable to a driveway ya dumbarse :D :D :D

John Smith wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 5:51pm:

freediver wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:40am: Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:39am: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too. So? If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council? A rural road is not comparable to a driveway ya dumbarse :D :D :D

I see the point went way over your head John.

John Smith wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 5:51pm:

freediver wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:40am: Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 8:39am: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. Many of the people that live down those rural roads feed us. They're rate & tax payers too. So? If I pay $5000 a year in rates, does that entitle me to a million dollar driveway from the council? A rural road is not comparable to a driveway ya dumbarse :D :D :D

The one here sure ain't - someone missed the S bend ahead sign and went into the bush - fatal.  Welcome to another long weekend in the rain.

Got a video here...

Just as a warning to anyone who might be travelling on the Gwydir Highway, there is a longish straight with the usual interrupted centre line that passes the property ‘’TARA’’, unfortunately it has a dip that can conceal a small truck, no warning signs, no nuthin’ and works the same in either direction; about 23 km from Inverell.
There is another one, just over the crest of the first hill going towards Inverell after the midway rest stop, this one can conceal a Holden station wagon and is just after the commencement of the interrupted line.
Anyone in a hurry to pass a truck and take advantage of the long passing chance will take advantage of the clear road ahead.
I know ‘cause I got back in time to miss a head on with the Holden, I thank my quick 87 year old reactions of the time.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 5:40pm:

Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 4:13pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 1:26pm: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. It should worry you as a citizen that on many rural roads the paint is misleading and the interrupted line goes around blind corners and over crests. Not that such disregard for safety is confined to rural roads. The New England Highway, immediately south of Stonehenge, has a straight, followed by a left hand curve over a crest in a blind corner safely protected by interrupted new double lines., which would seem to indicate that those doing the painting are either stupid or don’t give a toss.. This is not an isolated example. It's a long sweeping curve over a minimal rise. Nothing blind about the curve at all - there is plenty of distance vision for any safe overtaking. Sure it’s a sweeping curve, I wouldn’t call it long but it is blind and the minimal rise is enough to conceal an oncoming vehicle. Where did you get your licence and how long ago were you tested? One would think that a curve that one cannot see around would be considered blind especially when it has a blind crest as well. Just Google , ‘’Google Earth’’ it gives the elevations relevant to the curve and crest, you might be surprised, and enlightened.

That's how I know old timer. It's not what I'd call a blind corner by any definition.

There would be nearly 5 hundred meters of vision in both directions.

Other wise there would be continuous double white lines around the sweep.

It's a good wide road with wide shoulders.

I've had a car, tractor, motorbike, bus, heavy rigid  license since 1973.

I was a class 1 Locomotive Driver Trainer for 23 years prior to my retirement in 2019.

Gnads wrote on May 1^st, 2025 at 2:13pm:

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 5:40pm: Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 4:13pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 1:26pm: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. It should worry you as a citizen that on many rural roads the paint is misleading and the interrupted line goes around blind corners and over crests. Not that such disregard for safety is confined to rural roads. The New England Highway, immediately south of Stonehenge, has a straight, followed by a left hand curve over a crest in a blind corner safely protected by interrupted new double lines., which would seem to indicate that those doing the painting are either stupid or don’t give a toss.. This is not an isolated example. It's a long sweeping curve over a minimal rise. Nothing blind about the curve at all - there is plenty of distance vision for any safe overtaking. Sure it’s a sweeping curve, I wouldn’t call it long but it is blind and the minimal rise is enough to conceal an oncoming vehicle. Where did you get your licence and how long ago were you tested? One would think that a curve that one cannot see around would be considered blind especially when it has a blind crest as well. Just Google , ‘’Google Earth’’ it gives the elevations relevant to the curve and crest, you might be surprised, and enlightened. That's how I know old timer. It's not what I'd call a blind corner by any definition. There would be nearly 5 hundred meters of vision in both directions. Other wise there would be continuous double white lines around the sweep. It's a good wide road with wide shoulders. I've had a car, tractor, motorbike, bus, heavy rigid  license since 1973. I was a class 1 Locomotive Driver Trainer for 23 years prior to my retirement in 2019.

Well as I can’t see around it when correctly positioned in the carriageway and I cant see over the crest then I consider them blind.

‘’ There would be nearly 5 hundred meters of vision in both directions.

Other wise there would be continuous double white lines around the sweep.’’

Somehow I think that we are talking about different roads.
I got my licence in 1954 and have driven tractors, graders, steam rollers, steam trucks, steam traction engines, heavy trucks, light tanks, 113 Personnel Carriers, was a Call Boy at Enfield Loco Depot, engine cleaner and have fired and driven numerous steam locomotives [although I wasn’t supposed to].
All of which has nought to do with seeing around blind corners or through solid earth.

Gnads wrote on May 1^st, 2025 at 2:13pm:

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 5:40pm: Gnads wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 4:13pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Apr 24th, 2025 at 1:26pm: freediver wrote on Apr 23rd, 2025 at 9:05pm: We spend an absolute fortune on rural roads that get fairly light traffic. A bit of paint is the least of our concern. It should worry you as a citizen that on many rural roads the paint is misleading and the interrupted line goes around blind corners and over crests. Not that such disregard for safety is confined to rural roads. The New England Highway, immediately south of Stonehenge, has a straight, followed by a left hand curve over a crest in a blind corner safely protected by interrupted new double lines., which would seem to indicate that those doing the painting are either stupid or don’t give a toss.. This is not an isolated example. It's a long sweeping curve over a minimal rise. Nothing blind about the curve at all - there is plenty of distance vision for any safe overtaking. Sure it’s a sweeping curve, I wouldn’t call it long but it is blind and the minimal rise is enough to conceal an oncoming vehicle. Where did you get your licence and how long ago were you tested? One would think that a curve that one cannot see around would be considered blind especially when it has a blind crest as well. Just Google , ‘’Google Earth’’ it gives the elevations relevant to the curve and crest, you might be surprised, and enlightened. That's how I know old timer. It's not what I'd call a blind corner by any definition. There would be nearly 5 hundred meters of vision in both directions. Other wise there would be continuous double white lines around the sweep. It's a good wide road with wide shoulders. I've had a car, tractor, motorbike, bus, heavy rigid  license since 1973. I was a class 1 Locomotive Driver Trainer for 23 years prior to my retirement in 2019.

Are we talking about the same road
As far as I’m concerned if one cannot see around a curve when correctly positioned in the carriageway then that is a blind curve and if one can’t see over a crest that is high enough to conceal a vehicle then that is a blind crest and to not have them protected by double lines borders on criminal negligence.

I have had a driver’s licence since 1954 and I have driven tractors, graders, steam rollers, motor rollers, steam trucks, steam traction engines, heavy motor vehicles, light tanks, armoured personnel carriers and was a Call Boy [not to be confused with Callgirl] at Enfield Locomotive Depot, engine cleaner and have fired and driven numerous types of steam locomotives [although I wasn’t supposed to do so].

All of which has absolutely nothing to do with it.

The road from Glen Innes to Emmaville has numerous blind corners and at least two blind crests  in 35 kilometres and the Gwydir Highway where it passes behind the Glen Innes hospital is a nice straight leading to a blind crest and the interrupted line goes over the crest, appropriately the Emergency Entrance at the hospital is on this section of the highway.

Extra post composed because of the funny things that happen on this antiquated forum.

Went through this contentious corner this afternoon and for the life of me I couldn’t figure how anyone would consider it safe, then when I got my computer going I looked it up on Google Earth and low and behold it does have wide shoullders etc as described above, but if one uses the elevation feature it tells one that there is a crest in the middle of the curve,
Elevation 1, 088 metres rising to 1,093 m then dropping to 1,090 , on the South side so there is at least a 3 metre hump, big enough to conceal the average car.

. Roads are different to rrail tracks.

Oh for Paul's sake. Don't rely on lines on the road with absolutism.
Use the Force.

I'd still like to why the 'road marking crew' paint these obsolete dotted lines on Orrong Road nearly 20 years after the T junction was modified to only allow traffic to exit Barry St. onto Orrong Rd.?

The dotted lines (which used to continue around into Barry St.) are shown with the small arrows in the attached image and the long curved arrow shows how traffic exits Barry St. onto Orrong Rd.

The T junction was modified nearly 20 years ago, as I've said, to stop traffic using Barry St. then Gladstone Rd. to get to Francisco St. and avoid the traffic lights at Orrong Rd. and Francisco St. (which have a lot of congestion especially during peak hours).

So... anyway... WHY are they still painting those obsolete white dotted lines after nearly 20 years?  :D

---

Jasin wrote on Jun 4^th, 2025 at 8:21am:

Oh for Paul's sake. Don't rely on lines on the road with absolutism. Use the Force.

But some people do so, they believe that the lines are there as a guide and for safety.
They are guided by them; just like some [most?] people believe use by dates.

Australian road line marker painters are the most popular most watched you tubes of that kind, in the world. I personally don't know why? But maybe they're starting to overachieve in their new celebrity aura and just put in more lines, etc than needed.