Is passing on the right illegal on a multilane hwy

[masraum]

I see this come up a lot.

If you are on a multilane highway, lets say 4 lanes in each direction, and there is someone camped in the left lane, is it illegal to pass on the right?

I don't think it is, at least not in Texas.

If you are on a 2 lane fwy (1 lane each direction) and you come up behind someone and pass them on the right, I think that's illegal, but I don't think it applies to multilane (per direction) freeways. I think the purpose is to keep people from passing on the shoulder.

What say you?

[Zeke]

I think technically it is only to serve as keeping order on the road. Probably never enforced; certainly not on SoCal or other urban freeways.

[Noah930]

I haven't checked the vehicle code, but I think all passing is supposed to be done on the left. Technically, passing on the right is not legal. I don't think it matters if it's a 2-lane or 4-lane highway (in each direction).

Of course, if slower traffic is camped out in the "faster" lanes, they're not entirely legal, either. They're not supposed to be in the "fast" lane unless they're actively passing someone.

One of those "2 wrongs" situations.

Probably only enforced if an LEO has a particular hard-on for you, though.

[stomachmonkey]

I pass on the right all the time.

On my commute, 3 lane wide in each direction, the right lane is the fastest lane.

Texas drivers do weird stuff, like when making a right onto a road they dont turn into the far right lane, they swing real wide and end up in the far left lane. Same with making lefts, they dont go from the left lane into the left lane, they swing all the way across multiple lanes to the far right.

Can't tell you how many I've nearly hit.

[Z-man]

I am pretty sure it is illegal.

Something which complicates this is the 'exit from the left lane' which is abundant in NJ. Makes no sense. Especially when someone prepares to take such an exit and moves over to the passing lane 3-4 miles prior to the exit and proceeds to drive below the speed limit until the exit.

On my daily commute, there is an especially dangerous example of this: the exit to Rt. 17 North off the Garden State Parkway North. Exit is to the left -- off the left hand lane. In the morning, there are cars often STOPPED in the passing lane since that exit backs up so much. And of course there are others who cut into the exit and are stopped at a point where you don't expect the car to be stopped.

-Z

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Z-man

I am pretty sure it is illegal.

Something which complicates this is the 'exit from the left lane' which is abundant in NJ. Makes no sense. Especially when someone prepares to take such an exit and moves over to the passing lane 3-4 miles prior to the exit and proceeds to drive below the speed limit until the exit.

On my daily commute, there is an especially dangerous example of this: the exit to Rt. 17 North off the Garden State Parkway North. Exit is to the left -- off the left hand lane. In the morning, there are cars often STOPPED in the passing lane since that exit backs up so much. And of course there are others who cut into the exit and are stopped at a point where you don't expect the car to be stopped.

-Z

Well Jerseys roads are just stupid.

I hate those jug handles, exit right to turn left. Who thought that was a good idea?

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Well Jerseys roads are just stupid.

I hate those jug handles, exit right to turn left. Who thought that was a good idea?

I turn right to go left, if its clear traffic, and I know the light won't change for me anytime soon, kinda makes sense not stopping traffic for left turners.

As for the passing on the right, check your state.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Well Jerseys roads are just stupid.

I hate those jug handles, exit right to turn left. Who thought that was a good idea?

Those things are fantastic. We used to have the near my house. No stop sign, no traffic light, no crossing other lanes of traffic. The one that I used to hit everyday on the way to work has changed to a stoplight with a left turn lane. It's always backed up in the morning.

In my mind they are more efficient kind of like a round-about.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

I pass on the right all the time.

On my commute, 3 lane wide in each direction, the right lane is the fastest lane.

It's the same here in Houston.

Texas drivers do weird stuff, like when making a right onto a road they dont turn into the far right lane, they swing real wide and end up in the far left lane. Same with making lefts, they dont go from the left lane into the left lane, they swing all the way across multiple lanes to the far right.

Can't tell you how many I've nearly hit.

Yep, and it's completely legal here. I moved here from FL. In FL it was illegal.

[72doug2,2S]

Roundabouts get me. I don't have enough experience to feel completely comfortable entering and exiting. The thing is I've never seen them on a drivers test.

[WIL84911]

So what do we do with those slow folks on the left lane if we can't pass on the right lane?

[krystar]

well "on paper" there's not supposed to be anyone in the left lane doing 40mph, cause the left lane is for passing only.

everyone passes on the right. it's not my fault if the car in the lane left of me is going slower than me. i'm not passing him. i'm just going the same pace as the guy ahead of me.

of course u could always call 911 and tell the cops there's an erratic driver in the left lane and u think he's drunk.

[lonewolf]

Don't even give it a thought .
left ,right, whatever.
If you are not used to passing on the right, that could hurt you in an emergency situation.

[masraum]

Sec. 544.011. LANE USE SIGNS. If, on a highway having more than one lane with vehicles traveling in the same direction, the Texas Department of Transportation or a local authority places a sign that directs slower traffic to travel in a lane other than the farthest left lane, the sign must read "left lane for passing only."

Sec. 545.057. PASSING TO THE RIGHT. (a) An operator may pass to the right of another vehicle only if conditions permit safely passing to the right and:

(1) the vehicle being passed is making or about to make a left turn; and

(2) the operator is:

(A) on a highway having unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles and sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction; or

(B) on a one-way street or on a roadway having traffic restricted to one direction of movement and the roadway is free from obstructions and wide enough for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

(b) An operator may not pass to the right by leaving the main traveled portion of a roadway except as provided by Section 545.058.


Sec. 545.051. DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY. (a) An operator on a roadway of sufficient width shall drive on the right half of the roadway, unless:

(1) the operator is passing another vehicle;

(2) an obstruction necessitates moving the vehicle left of the center of the roadway and the operator yields the right-of-way to a vehicle that:

(A) is moving in the proper direction on the unobstructed portion of the roadway; and

(B) is an immediate hazard;

(3) the operator is on a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic; or

(4) the operator is on a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

(b) An operator of a vehicle on a roadway moving more slowly than the normal speed of other vehicles at the time and place under the existing conditions shall drive in the right-hand lane available for vehicles, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, unless the operator is:

(1) passing another vehicle; or

(2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(c) An operator on a roadway having four or more lanes for moving vehicles and providing for two-way movement of vehicles may not drive left of the center line of the roadway except:

(1) as authorized by an official traffic-control device designating a specified lane to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by a vehicle not otherwise permitted to use the lane;

(2) under the conditions described by Subsection (a)(2); or

(3) in crossing the center line to make a left turn into or out of an alley, private road, or driveway.

I guess based on the above, the "and" in between 1 and 2 of 545.057 means that you can only pass on the right if there is someone turning left from the left lane.

Looks to me like it is a law.

[dan88911]

It use to be if approaching behind someone in the left lane. And you wanted to pass you flashed your lights they in turn switched lanes when safe and possible. I think it was illegal to come up fast and speed around without first trying to get them to switch over. Of course these days manners and rules of the road rarely seem to exist. IMHO

[teenerted1]

shoulder driving tends to be illegal unless the is an accident or other reason you are forced there. drving backward up the shoulder always illegal

passing on the right is legal here.

[Superman]

Yes, it is unlawful. But......like virtually all other traffic regulation, you virtually cannot get a ticket for it. Practically speaking, the only unlawful traffic behavior is speeding. Passing on the right, cutting across multiple lanes, camping in the fast lane, failure to signal turns......those behaviors are allowed. But beware, anyone safely exceeding 60mph!

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by masraum

Those things are fantastic. We used to have the near my house. No stop sign, no traffic light, no crossing other lanes of traffic. The one that I used to hit everyday on the way to work has changed to a stoplight with a left turn lane. It's always backed up in the morning.

In my mind they are more efficient kind of like a round-about.

Sounds like you are talking about a reverse jug handle, those make sense. Right side of image.

I'm talking about the other form which is what I encounter most times in Jersey. Left side of image.

You exit right like an off ramp but there is a stop sign at the end. Then you need to cross over and make a left onto the intersecting road and possibly have to sit at a light so you can cross over the road you originally exited.



They are usually very poorly marked. If you are unfamiliar with the area you won't know about it till it's too late causing people to swerve to the right side at the last second. And they are not consistent in usage. You can be on a road and pass left turn after left turn then for some odd reason the next intersection will be a jug handle.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by masraum

Looks to me like it is a law.

Here is an excerpt from the TX DMV Drivers Handbook.

Shows passing on right for multiple lanes in one direction but text is for right of way for two cars that want the middle lane at the same time.

[Paul K]

Legal on the freeway in Oregon.

Left lane campers should be shot.