Michgan History
The first centerline was painted on a state highway in 1917 along the Marquette-Negaunee Road which was designated Trunkline 15, now Marquette County Road 492 (The first centerline was invented in 1911 in http://www.answers.com/topic/wayne-county-Michigan by Edward N. Hines.)
Further on Edward Hines:
Hines originated the concept of painting a line down the center of a road to separate traffic in opposing directions. Painted center lines were first used in Wayne County in 1911. This simple idea has since been recognized as one of the most important single traffic safety devices in the history of highway transportation.
When two parallel solid yellow lines separate lanes of traffic, the only legal maneuver you can perform is turning left into a driveway on the opposite side of the road.
When you are passing another vehicle, you encounter a solid yellow line in your lane or a solid double yellow lines in the center of the road. The vehicle law says you may not cross over the solid yellow lines. Hence I would suggest you slow down and get back in your lane.
Double yellow continuous lines means stay in your lane, which is the right hand lane on a 2-lane road in the United States. You are not permitted to cross double yellow continuous lines. In some jurisdictions, the police will ticket you if your tire even comes close to or touches the double yellow lines because you are encroaching on the opposite lane's space.
When there are 2 sets of double solid yellow lines you may not cross it for any reason. They are treated as though it is a solid wall. If there is only one set of double yellow lines you can turn across it to enter a driveway or parking lot.If the inner line is a dashed line(and it would be wider than 2 feet) that area is used to begin or complete left turns
Technically you can and can't, if you're driving down a any road with a continuous double yellow line (not broken) you can never pass (even if there's not a car in sight going the other direction but people tend to get annoyed and will pass only if there's not a cop around). On the other hand if you driving down a STRAIGHT road, and there is a broken line on your side with a continuous solid line on the other side of it, you CAN pass (See below link).
Yellow lines of all types indicate the leftmost edge of where you can drive in a certain direction. A double solid yellow line may not be crossed except when making a left-hand turn to either leave or join the road divided by said line. A single yellow line on a two-lane, two-way road serves the same purpose. Some jurisdictions use yellow lines on one-way roadways or divided highways to indicate the left edge of the roadway.
In the UK double solid white lines down the centre of the carriage way indicate that you should not cross them except under certain strict conditions.
When two parallel solid yellow lines separate lanes of traffic, the only legal maneuver you can perform is turning left into a driveway on the opposite side of the road.
Double yellow lines, which are solid and not dotted, indicates a no passing zone.
In the United States, yellow lines divide lanes of oncoming traffic. A solid yellow line indicates you cannot safely or legally pass a vehicle in front of you by merging into the oncoming traffic lane; a broken yellow line indicates you can legally and safely pass a vehicle in front of you by merging into the oncoming traffice land after determining there is no oncoming traffic.
Two continuous lines down the middle of the road indicate that you should not pass on that section of road. Most often, this is because visibility is limited on that stretch of highway.
In the US, both solid white lines and double white lines are used to mark areas of prohibited lane changes in multi-lane traffic. Broken (dashed) yellow lines, solid yellow lines, and double yellow lines are used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Yellow lines of all types indicate the leftmost edge of where you can drive in a certain direction. A double solid yellow line may not be crossed except when making a left-hand turn to either leave or join the road divided by said line. A single yellow line on a two-lane, two-way road serves the same purpose. Some jurisdictions use yellow lines on one-way roadways or divided highways to indicate the left edge of the roadway.
Yes, you can provided the yellow lines are :Solid yellow lines mark the center of a road used for two-way traffic.Broken yellow lines mean you may pass if the broken line is next to your driving lane.Two solid yellow lines mean no passing. Never drive to the left of these lines unless you are:Turning left at an intersection.Turning into or out of a private road or driveway.In a carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left.Instructed by construction or other signs to drive on the other side of the road because your side is closed or blocked.(1) Solid yellow line: No passing if solid yellow line is on your side.(2) Double solid lines: DO NOT pass.(3) Broken yellow line: May pass if movement can be made safely.Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart are considered a barrier. Do not drive on or over this barrier or make a left turn or a U-turn across it except at designated openings. (See diagram .)
Broken Yellow lines
When you are passing another vehicle, you encounter a solid yellow line in your lane or a solid double yellow lines in the center of the road. The vehicle law says you may not cross over the solid yellow lines. Hence I would suggest you slow down and get back in your lane.
Double solid red lines are caused by reflectors in the roadway - those facing oncoming traffic are amber or white, and those facing the opposite direction are red. The double red lines indicate that you are driving on the wrong side of the road.