A 3-minute lesson from the West Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Passing on a two-lane road puts you in the oncoming lane, so it's one of the riskiest things you do. Pass only when it's legal, necessary and clearly safe, and help others pass you.
Passing on a two-lane highway:
Be sure you're in a passing zone, keeping a 3-to-4 second following distance
Decide if it's necessary; if you have to speed to pass, you probably don't need to
Check ahead, behind and beside, and for hazards like narrow bridges, side roads or curves
Signal early so others know your intention
Move left when clear and tap your horn; at night you may blink your headlights
Signal and return when you see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your mirror
When someone passes you, don't treat it as a challenge: check your mirror, slow down, and keep right to make passing easier. Many sideswipe and run-off-the-road crashes come from being passed.
On a two-lane road you want to pass a tractor, but a railroad crossing is about 80 feet ahead. Passing within 100 feet of a railroad crossing is prohibited. Wait until you're past the crossing and in a legal passing zone.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How close to an intersection is passing prohibited?
Within 50 feet
Within 100 feet
Within 200 feet
Within 300 feet
Answer: Within 100 feet
Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of an intersection.