Back in the 1960s, the then Minister of Transport (a woman IIRC) stated that three-lane (single) carriageways were 'only dangerous when opposing traffic occupies the central lane'.
(There had been an influx of such road-markings on highways that were wide enough for three lanes but not wide-enough to accommodate a proper dual carriageway. The central lane was left 'free' to be used for overtaking by traffic in either direction. There were no such things as double white lines to restrict traffic - so it became a battle of wills as to which motorist gave-way (or didn't). Used sensibly, the system worked well to improve traffic-flow (and overtaking was safer than with simple two-lane carriageways). Unfortunately there were several (if not many) tragic head-on collisions and the three-lane carriageway idea was dropped - at least until double-white lines were introduced.
Can anyone remember when double white lines were 'invented'? IIRC they were originally to be accompanied by signs erected at the start of each section showing that such road-markings were in use. Somewhere along the way the signs were 'forgotten'.
Edited to add:-
Quote:
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By 1959 the UK Government had decided that double white lines were to be used to control overtaking.
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From:-
http://www.trafficsignsandmeanings.c...-designed.html