VIII.
Passing and Being Passed
Passing either on a freeway or open highway requires good judgment and rapid decision making. When passing, make sure the oncoming vehicles look like they are standing still which is about 1/2 mile. If you're being passed, don't speed up; allow the other driver to complete the pass and merge back into the lane.
On freeways, you may not pass another vehicle if you have to cross over the double parallel lines of a diamond lane. On a two-lane highway, you're not allowed to pass if the pavement marking on your side of the road is a solid yellow line.
Safe Driving Tips: Passing
Hills Or Curves
To pass safely, you must be able to see at least one-third of a mile. Anytime your view is blocked by a hill or a curve, you should assume that there is an oncoming car just out of sight. This means you should only pass if a hill or curve ahead is more than one-third of a mile away.
You must not drive on the left side of a roadway when coming to a curve or the top of a hill where you can't see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe to pass.
Intersections
It is dangerous to pass another vehicle where someone is likely to enter or cross the road. Such places include crossroads, railroad crossings, and shopping center entrances. While you are passing, your view of people, cars, or a train is blocked by the car you are passing. Also, a driver turning onto the road into the left lane won't expect to find you in his lane. He or she may not even look your way.
Lane Restrictions
Before you pass, look ahead for road conditions and traffic that may cause other cars to move over into your lane. You might lose your space for passing because of:
• People or bikers near the road.
• A narrow bridge.
• A patch of ice, broken pavement, or something on the road.
Space To Return
Always signal before passing. Don't pull out to pass unless you know you have enough space to return. Before you return to the driving lane, be sure you aren't dangerously close to the car you have passed. One way to do this is to look for the car in the rear view mirror. When you can see both headlights, you have enough room to return to the driving lane. Don't count on having enough time to pass several cars at once. Don't count on other drivers making room for you.
Signs and Markings
Many roads have lane markings that tell you when you cannot see far enough to pass. Observe these warnings at all times.
On A One Lane Mountain Road
When two vehicles meet on a steep road where neither can pass, the vehicle facing downhill must back up until the vehicle going uphill can pass. (The driver going downhill has the greater amount of control when backing up.)
Dangerous Passing Situations
 | Long lines of cars ahead |
| The driver ahead of you intends to stop or turn |
| Oncoming car too close |
| Car you're trying to pass is already traveling at or near the speed limit |
| You do not have a clear sight of the road ahead |
| Maneuver cannot be completed before reaching a no passing zone |
Passing Potential
How do you identify a passing situation?
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Passing maneuver times
Start counting "one-thousand-one" when an oncoming car gets to the nearest point that
you feel would give you enough time to pass a car ahead. If you meet the oncoming car before you
reach at least "one-thousand- nine", it was too close. It takes you at least 10 seconds
to pass one car. |
|
Identifying a safe distance ahead
If the road is flat and straight, vehicles coming toward you will seem to be standing still when
they are 1/2 mile or more from you. |
|
Identify an end-of-pass gap to pull back into lane
Look over your shoulder. Do you have at least a four second gap, between your vehicle and the
vehicle you have passed? |
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Establish a safe response for hazards
Plan an escape route, don't panic, always give yourself an out; don't slam on your brakes, run
off the road if you have to. Avoid head-on collisions. |
| Checking for road tractions If the steering wheel feels loose in your hands when you start to drive at a slow rate of speed it means you have no traction. It is dangerous to speed up to pass under these road conditions. |
Steps For Successful Passing
Scan for hazards such as oncoming vehicles, vehicles approaching from rear, merging vehicles.
| Check for blind spots |
| Signal your intention to pass |
| Warn the driver ahead |
| Obtain a speed advantage |
| Re-check condition ahead |
| Signal return to the lane |
| Check for blind spots; look in the rearview mirror and
over your shoulder |
| Create space for vehicle passed |
The Law: Overtaking And Passing
Overtake and Pass to the Left
The driver of vehicle overtaking another vehicle going in the same direction shall pass to the left at a safe distance without interfering with the safe operation of the overtaken vehicle. §21750
Passing Without Sufficient Clearance
On a two-lane highway, no vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking. §21751
When Driving on Left Prohibited
No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:
(a) When approaching or upon the crest of a grade or a curve in the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction.
(b) When the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.
(c) When approaching within 100 feet of or when traversing any intersection or rail road grade crossing. §21752
Yielding for Passing
Except when passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal or the momentary flash of headlights by the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. §21753
Passing on the Right
The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(a) When the vehicle is making or about to make a left turn.
(b) Upon a highway within a business or residence district with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in the direction of travel.
(c) Upon any highway outside of a business or residence district with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in the direction of travel.
(d) Upon a highway divided into two roadways where traffic is restricted to one direction upon each of such roadways. §21754
Pass on Right Safely
The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under condition permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the paved or main-traveled portion of the roadway. §21755
Passing on Grades
In the event any vehicle is being operated on any grade outside of a business or residence district at a speed of less than 20 mph, any other vehicle attempting to pass this slow moving vehicle shall do so at a speed of at least 10 mph in excess of the speed of the overtaken vehicle. The pass must be completed within 1/4 of a mile. §21758
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