California Laws About Passing on a Dotted Yellow Line
Passing cars in traffic requires careful observation of other drivers and maneuvering of your own vehicle. The laws in California are clear about when passing on a dotted yellow line in all traffic situations. Learning and obeying these laws is the best way to stay safe on the road.
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Passing on Two-Lane Roads
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Two lane roads have only one lane of traffic in each direction. Paying attention to the yellow line in the middle is most important on these roads as passing at the wrong time could lead to a collision. When the line is yellow and dotted, drivers who wish to pass should check ahead to see whether a car is coming from the other direction. When the road is clear, the driver can pass while going by dotted yellow lines.
Passing on Multi-Lane Roads
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On roads with more than one lane of traffic in a single direction, passing should be easier but still requires caution. When planning to pass on a multi-lane road, check to see that the lane where you plan to move for passing is clear, especially in your blind spot. Then move over, pass the car in front of you and move back into your original lane. California law does not have specific requirements about passing on these roads but cautions that the general policy is that passing should be done so as to ensure smooth traffic flow.
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Turn Lanes
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In California, turn lanes have dotted yellow lines enclosed between two solid yellow lines. These lines are the indicators that one can turn. When a driver is turning left on a road with a passing line, the driver must enter the passing lane and wait for a break in traffic to make the left turn. A left turn is not permitted outside the marked turn lane.
Passing on the Right
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In general a dotted yellow line is an indication that one driver can pass another, but only on the left-hand side. There are two exceptions to this law, however. When one is on a large highway with three or more lanes of traffic in one direction, right-hand passing is permitted, though left-hand passing is preferable to maintain smooth traffic flow. If a car is turning left on a two-lane road, the car behind can pass on the right, provided that the driver does not leave the marked roadway to do so.
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References
- Photo Credit bend image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
