Driving, Overtaking, and PassingOvertaking and Passing
Section § 21750
When passing another vehicle going in the same direction, you must pass on the left and keep a safe distance without disrupting the other vehicle's safe movement. This rule has been in effect since September 16, 2014.
Section § 21751
When you're on a two-lane highway, you can't drive into the opposite lane to pass another vehicle unless you can clearly see that there's no oncoming traffic. The road ahead must be clear for a long enough distance to pass safely without causing issues for cars approaching in the other direction.
Section § 21752
This law says you can't drive on the left side of the road in certain situations. These include when you're near the top of a hill, on a curve where you can't see oncoming cars, within 100 feet of a bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing, or intersection. It's all about making sure you can see clearly to avoid accidents. However, this rule doesn't apply if you're on a one-way street.
Section § 21753
If another vehicle wants to overtake you on the road, you need to safely move to the right side to let them pass after they signal you, either by honking or flashing their headlights. Don't speed up until they've completely passed you. This rule doesn't mean you have to drive on the highway shoulder to let them by.
Section § 21754
This law explains when you can pass another vehicle on the right. You can do this if the other car is turning left, or if you're on a road where the pavement is wide and there's room for cars to move side-by-side going the same way. This applies whether you're in a city or out on a highway, and also on one-way streets, or divided highways where traffic is clearly marked for each direction. However, if you're driving a slow vehicle, you should still keep to the right side of the road as much as possible.
Section § 21755
This law allows a driver to pass another vehicle on the right side, but only if it's safe to do so, and the driver must stay on the paved or main-traveled road. Passing by driving onto the shoulder or off the road is not allowed.
Bicycles are an exception to this rule; they can use the bicycle lane or shoulder.
Section § 21756
If you're driving and come across a streetcar that is stopped to pick up or drop off passengers, you need to stop behind it and wait until people are safely on or off the car. But, if there's an area called a 'safety zone' or a traffic officer or signal controlling the intersection, you don't have to stop. In that case, you can pass the streetcar, but you need to keep it slow—no more than 10 miles per hour—and be careful not to endanger pedestrians.
For trolley coaches or buses stopped at safety zones, you can pass by them too, as long as you keep to the 10 miles per hour speed limit.
Section § 21757
This law states that drivers should not pass on the left side of streetcars that are going in the same direction, whether the streetcar is moving or stopped, unless a police officer tells them to, they are on a one-way street, or the street layout makes it impossible to follow this rule.
Section § 21758
This law states that if you're driving outside a business or residential area and come across a vehicle going slower than 20 mph, you can't pass it unless you're going at least 10 mph faster than the slow vehicle. Additionally, you must complete the pass within a quarter mile.
Section § 21759
If you're driving and come across a horse-drawn vehicle, a person riding an animal, or livestock, you must be careful. Slow down or stop if needed to avoid scaring the animal and to keep everyone safe, including those with the animals.
Section § 21760
The Three Feet for Safety Act requires drivers overtaking bikes on the highway to maintain a minimum distance of three feet. This rule ensures that passing occurs safely, considering traffic, weather, and road conditions. If a lane change is possible, drivers should use a different lane to pass. If it's impossible to maintain three feet due to road conditions, drivers must slow down to a safe speed while passing. Violating these rules results in fines, which increase if a collision with a bicycle causes injury.
Section § 21761
If you're driving and see a stopped waste service vehicle, you should try to change lanes to give them space and pass safely if it's possible and legal to do so. If changing lanes isn't safe or practical, you should slow down to a speed that's safe given the current conditions like weather and traffic. This applies to vehicles like garbage trucks that are clearly marked and have their flashing amber lights on. However, these rules don't apply if the waste service vehicle is on a private property or separated by a barrier. This rule has been effective since January 1, 2020.