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i agree with you. It's a two lane road for a reason. And since passing on the right is prohibited under NC law, it makes no sense for both lanes to be clogged up with slower moving vehicles.
Passing on the right is allowed on highways. You're in the business so I trust you, but here's what the driver's handbook says:
Quote:
Passing on the right
Passing on the right is against the law except in areas where it is specifically
permitted. Passing on the right places your vehicle on the blind side of the
vehicle you are passing. The vehicle you are passing could unexpectedly make a
right turn or pull over to the right side of the road.
Exceptions where passing on the right is allowed:
• On highways having at least two lanes traveling in each direction;
• On one-way streets where all lanes of traffic move in the same direction;
• When passing a vehicle that is in the left-turn lane; and/or
• When driving in a lane set aside for right turns.
On three-lane highways, you must not pass except in the center lane, and then
only where the center lane is marked for passing in your direction. Exception:
When the vehicle in the center lane is making a left turn.
Is something like Cary Parkway or High House road considered one-way since there is a dividing median?
Passing on the right is allowed on highways. You're in the business so I trust you, but here's what the driver's handbook says:
Is something like Cary Parkway or High House road considered one-way since there is a dividing median?
You've hit the nail on the head. There is not necessarily a clear definition of what a highway is - at least not in the NC Drivers Handbook. It seems to be pretty subjective. Here's a couple of examples to ponder:
Technically, Route 50 is labeled as a state "highway". The Creedmoor Rd. portion of it between Crabtree Valley Mall and I540 is a 4-lane divided road. But there are stoplights and the speed limit is 45mph. Is that stretch of road a highway?
Route 70 is a national "highway". For much of it within Raleigh, it exists as Glenwood Avenue. I don't think anyone would think that the part that runs through the Five Points area of town would think that it's a highway, even though it's technically 4 lanes, but how about once it passes Crabtree Valley Mall? Is it a highway then? How about once it passes Brier Creek Parkway?
It’s pretty simple to move to the right lane on a road like Davis or High House, drive in it for a minute or two, then switch back to the left lane (if you want).
I would be amazed at a cop ticketing for that. Nobody’s trapped in the left unless there’s a car on the right.
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When in doubt, check it out: FAQ
You've hit the nail on the head. There is not necessarily a clear definition of what a highway is - at least not in the NC Drivers Handbook. It seems to be pretty subjective. Here's a couple of examples to ponder:
Technically, Route 50 is labeled as a state "highway". The Creedmoor Rd. portion of it between Crabtree Valley Mall and I540 is a 4-lane divided road. But there are stoplights and the speed limit is 45mph. Is that stretch of road a highway?
Route 70 is a national "highway". For much of it within Raleigh, it exists as Glenwood Avenue. I don't think anyone would think that the part that runs through the Five Points area of town would think that it's a highway, even though it's technically 4 lanes, but how about once it passes Crabtree Valley Mall? Is it a highway then? How about once it passes Brier Creek Parkway?
So basically, any road with two lanes going in the same direction, it's legal? It says highway, but others (here) have said that those rules don't apply to city roads.
Whatever, I think it still sucks to force someone to pass (more dangerously) on the right, when there is clear road ahead. Law or not. If you are not passing people, and not turning left, it is protocol to stay right. Certainly jerk-ish to stay in the left lane, and mirror the speed of the person next to you, preventing others from getting along while benefiting yourself in no way whatsoever. (I think most people are just aloof. A few do it to be self-appointed traffic modulators.)
So basically, any road with two lanes going in the same direction, it's legal? It says highway, but others (here) have said that those rules don't apply to city roads.
Whatever, I think it still sucks to force someone to pass (more dangerously) on the right, when there is clear road ahead. Law or not. If you are not passing people, and not turning left, it is protocol to stay right. Certainly jerk-ish to stay in the left lane, and mirror the speed of the person next to you, preventing others from getting along while benefiting yourself in no way whatsoever. (I think most people are just aloof. A few do it to be self-appointed traffic modulators.)
Agreed. I see it every day on Creedmoor Rd. heading south. Folks get in the left lane at Strickland, and go 35mph the whole four miles until they turn left at Glenwood. Lights are timed for 45mph, so if you get another person doing 35mph in the right lane, it's effectively a moving roadblock for 4 miles. And then you end up getting the red lights too.
Agreed. I see it every day on Creedmoor Rd. heading south. Folks get in the left lane at Strickland, and go 35mph the whole four miles until they turn left at Glenwood. Lights are timed for 45mph, so if you get another person doing 35mph in the right lane, it's effectively a moving roadblock for 4 miles. And then you end up getting the red lights too.
It’s pretty simple to move to the right lane on a road like Davis or High House, drive in it for a minute or two, then switch back to the left lane (if you want).
I would be amazed at a cop ticketing for that. Nobody’s trapped in the left unless there’s a car on the right.
Exactly - I have never heard of someone being ticketed for passing on the right. And it happens all the time.
It is pretty simple as far as what is a highway. Highways always have a speed limit of 55 mph or more. Roads are never treated as highways in business districts and never in residential areas. They may have one or more lanes in each direction. Usually the name of the road includes the term 'highway'.
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