From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

Date: March 1, 2010

Unsafe Passing

Lincoln County has recently witnessed some fatalities from motor vehicle crashes. A Toledo resident suggested we remind motorists of the need to exercise care when passing other vehicles. Oregon law addresses unsafe passing on the left and right, passing in a “no passing” zone, and failure of a driver to slow down when their vehicle is being passed. A summary of those laws is offered as a reminder.

Passing on the Left – When passing another motor vehicle, the passing vehicle is required to pass on the left of the vehicle being passed and return to the appropriate lane as soon as possible, but only after obtaining a safe distance in front of the passed vehicle. Passes should not occur when doing so may interfere with oncoming traffic.

The driver of the vehicle being passed is prohibited from increasing the speed of their vehicle while being passed.

Passing on the Right – It is permitted to pass on the right when the overtaken vehicle is making or the driver has signaled an intention to make a left turn; and

The paved portion of the highway is of sufficient width to allow two or more lanes of vehicles to proceed lawfully in the same direction as the vehicle being passed - (This means none of your vehicle’s tire(s) can leave the paved portion of the street or highway); and

The roadway ahead of the overtaking vehicle is unobstructed for a sufficient distance to permit passage by the overtaking vehicle to be made in safety.

It is lawful to overtake and pass other traffic on the right that is traveling in the left or center lane when there are two or more marked lanes for traffic traveling in the same direction.

Passing in No Passing Zone – If the highway is marked by signs indicating a divided highway or other no passing area, don’t pass. If there is a solid yellow line on your side of the travel lane, don’t pass. This also applies to vehicles crossing a solid yellow line to pass another vehicle making a right turn off the highway. That solid yellow line means “No Passing”.

Please drive considerately and safely.

Return to Tips.