Crossing the dividing line

Question

If you are traveling on a single road but the oncoming road has two lanes, can you overtake if a car is coming from the front in the left hand lane and you don't have a solid line on your side. I don't think you can because you can only overtake if it is safe to do so. And you can not assume the other car can see you.

Answer

I think Carel has a pretty good idea of what the situation is.

Technically, you are legally allowed to cross the dividing line to overtake, provided:
• you would not be crossing a solid white line to do so, and
• the oncoming lanes are clear of traffic for a long enough distance to allow you to overtake safely;
• you have a clear view of the road ahead and you can in fact see that it is safe to overtake.
As Carel says, if there is a vehicle approaching in the far lane on your right (the left lane for approaching traffic), and the middle lane is clear, there is still the possibility that the driver of the approaching vehicle may decide to change lanes to his right in preparation for passing a slower vehicle in the left lane for the oncoming driver. So that could suddenly make it unsafe for you to cross the diving line in order to overtake. And, you may overtake only if it is legal and also if it is safe to do so.

An interesting question!