Call Us 413-536-2685 ☰ ˟
Logo
413-536-2685
English  /  Español
  • Certificate Request
  • Get A Quote
  • Blog
  • What We Offer
    • Automobile
    • Business & Commercial
    • Commercial Auto Insurance
    • Homeowners
    • Recreational Vehicle
    • Workers Compensation
  • Resources
    • Make a Payment
    • Refer a Friend
    • Important Links
    • Insurance Glossary
    • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Employee Directory
    • Customer Testimonials
  • Our Locations
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
Icon Instant Auto Quote Icon Instant Home Quote
Icon Business
Icon Workers Comp
Icon Business Auto Icon Recreational
Home > Blog > When Is It Legal and Illegal To Pass Someone?
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

When Is It Legal and Illegal To Pass Someone?

photography of green and brown trees near gray concrete road

If you get a ticket for illegal passing, it could be a moving violation that puts points on your license and could lead to your auto insurance rate to increase. You know to follow the law, but when exactly is it legal and illegal to pass someone in Western Massachusetts?

Passing on the Left

The rules for passing on the left are pretty simple. On a multi-lane road, you can almost always pass using a travel lane heading in the same direction. The only exception is in areas marked "no passing" or with solid lines. You may not pass in dedicated turn lanes. You also need to obey the posted speed limit.

On two-lane roads, you can pass using the opposite lane when you have a dotted yellow line both at the start and finish of the passing maneuver. Of course, you also need to safely clear oncoming traffic. There is no exception to the speed limit with this type of passing, either.

Passing on the Right

Passing on the right in travel lanes varies. Some states treat it the same as moving a lane to the left to overtake. Other states prohibit passing on the right even when another driver is camping in the left or middle lanes. The safety reasons for states banning passing on the right are conflicts between cars passing on the right and left moving back to the middle lane.

Passing off the road, such as to avoid waiting for a car turning left, is almost always illegal.

What About Buses?

Passing stopped school buses is obviously illegal and results in heavy fines with the exception of states that allow traffic heading in the opposite direction on a divided road to continue.

City buses create a more uncertain situation. If there are multiple lanes for your direction, you can move to an available lane. If there's a single lane for your direction, it's often illegal to cross a double yellow line to pass a city bus even if it's stopped for loading and unloading. Some states may enforce this more strictly than others, so what you see on the road may not be the actual law.

Check your local laws to know what to do in your area and avoid a ticket that could increase your car insurance rates.

Posted 5:04 PM

Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 1999

  • car insurance(74)
  • home insurance(74)
  • auto insurance(73)
  • commercial insurance(41)
  • business insurance(41)
  • property(16)
  • home security(10)
  • life insurance(8)
  • accident(8)
  • summer(6)
  • health insurance(5)
  • teen drivers(2)
  • rental car(2)
  • claims(2)
  • car safety(2)
  • water damage(2)
  • home maintenance(2)
  • travel(2)
  • flood(2)
  • fire safety(2)
  • collision(2)
  • liability(2)
  • fire(2)
  • small business(2)
  • student drivers(1)
  • liquor(1)
  • vacation home(1)
  • pests(1)
  • spring(1)
  • llc(1)
  • condo(1)
  • office safety(1)
  • ventilation(1)
  • winter(1)
  • landlords(1)
  • chi insurance agency(1)
  • earthquake(1)
  • car accident(1)
  • dental insurance(1)
  • loss(1)
  • rust damage(1)
  • distracted driving(1)
  • wind(1)
  • senior drivers(1)
  • elderly drivers(1)
  • roof(1)
  • liability insurance(1)
  • grill safety(1)
  • older homes(1)
  • massachusetts(1)

View Mobile Version
Insure your needs today!
Social
Quick Links
Home
Get A Quote
Customer Service
Payment Options
Report a Claim
About Us
Our Carriers
Partners
Blog
Contact Us
Location 416 Main Street
Holyoke, MA 01040

P: 413-536-2685
F: 413-532-0889
E: support@chiagency.com
Powered by Insurance Website Builder