Is it ever legal to pass on a double yellow? (joint, green light)

[Neosec]

Many years ago I passed a car over the double yellow line. The ticket the cop wrote listed the infraction as passing within 100 feet of an intersection.

[jackmccullough]

Did you fight it? Or at least measure the distance to the nearest intersection?

[Lacerta]

My mom passed someone on a double yellow MANY years ago who was going very slow on the highway. Come to find out, they were going that slow because they were about to turn left (highway with turns, instead of exits), even though they didn't have their signal on. They turned left into her, not realizing she was illegally passing them. She was 100% at fault. The double yellows are usually there for a reason.

That being said, if someone was going under 20 on farm equipment or a vehicle with hazard lights on, in a 55 zone, I'd pass them on a double yellow if I definitely had a clear line of sight, and I'd argue the ticket if I got pulled over.

[dkf747]

The only times I have ever done that, were to pass a tractor, or a bicyclist.

[Colorado^]

What about when there is snow on the road and you can't see any lines? There's always someone with inadequate skill/tires traveling at 1/2 the speed limit.

IIRC in CO you can cross the double yellow to move over for police cars, bicycles and incompetent drivers (I may have made that last one up).

[Zelpha]

Have spent many miles on such roads and have noticed that when it's safe to pass, the lines are yellow dashes. When it's not safe to pass, at curves or upcoming hills in which you can't see oncoming traffic, that's when the double yellows are there. Very dangerous to cross double yellow lines. Hold out for the yellow dashes, hopefully the road engineers have covered all those details in your area.

[1973PINTO]

Originally Posted by Lacerta

My mom passed someone on a double yellow MANY years ago who was going very slow on the highway. Come to find out, they were going that slow because they were about to turn left (highway with turns, instead of exits), even though they didn't have their signal on. They turned left into her, not realizing she was illegally passing them. She was 100% at fault. The double yellows are usually there for a reason.

That being said, if someone was going under 20 on farm equipment or a vehicle with hazard lights on, in a 55 zone, I'd pass them on a double yellow if I definitely had a clear line of sight, and I'd argue the ticket if I got pulled over.

i had forgotten that that happened to me once .. i was passing a tractor and he cut into me .. i went through his yard to avoid him .. did a few doughnuts in his yard as well to show my appreciation for no signal ..and even had a policeman behind me .. he stopped me up the road and laughed about it but said dont do it again ..

[texdav]

Originally Posted by Wartrace

I am wondering if it is ever legal to pass in a no passing zone (providing the road is clear).

I'm in a rural area and sometimes we get farmers going down the highway on their tractors going 15 mph on a 55mph road. Is it legal to pass (if safe)? How about if you are behind a driver "having difficulty" and going 1/3 the speed limit?

No ;Plain and simple. Wait until out of that no passing zone. Its mark for good reason. The only exception is when directed to do so by a flag man or police office.

[stormynh]

Originally Posted by jackmccullough

Yes. In Vermont a double yellow line does not have the force of law, but simply advises the driver that the state considers passing to be dangerous at that location. If they want to prohibit passing they mark the no-passing zone with signs.

I think Vermont may be unique in this regard.

Yes Vermont!!

[Ralph_Kirk]

The usual reason the line is doubled is because there isn't clear view forward far enough ahead see an oncoming vehicle. If the speed limit is 55 mph, that means you would be closing on an unseen oncoming vehicle at at least 110mph. That's about half a football field per second.