Texas Defensive Driving Passing

Texas Defensive Driving Passing

Being skilled at Texas defensive driving includes passing skills. Let’s talk about passing other vehicles on the road. Now, if you’re not passing someone be sure to drive in the farthest lane to the right, especially if you’re driving slower than the rest of traffic. Texas defensive driving exceptions to this rule are when you’re passing another vehicle on a two or three-lane street, driving on a one-way street, or turning left.

Likewise, you should never drive on the left half of the road if you’re in a “No Passing” zone, are 100 feet or less away from an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct, or tunnel, or driving on a hill, curve, or any area where your range of vision is limited.

Now that you know what side of the road you should be on, here are some easy Texas defensive driving tips on how to pass other vehicles in your path:

• Don’t get too close to the car you’re looking to pass. Before you make your move, check your rearview and side mirrors, and look back to see if someone is passing you, then signal left.
• Glance ahead for any oncoming traffic or “No Passing” zones. Again, look around you and make sure that you have enough time and space to pass the car up ahead and return to the right lane before an approaching car from the left side of the road comes within 200 feet of you.
• Now that you’ve safely passed the vehicle in front of you, signal right and return to the right lane. But before you do that, make sure you can see the vehicle you’ve just passed in your rearview mirror so you don’t cut it off.

Now, you’ve probably heard numerous times from uninformed drivers that it’s illegal to pass on the right. Although this is generally not recommended because the driver will have difficulty seeing you, the Texas Drivers Handbook states:

In Texas and many other states, you may pass on the right only when conditions permit you to do so safely, such as:

1.       The road is clear of parked vehicles or other things and is wide enough for two or more lanes in each direction.

2.       You are on a one-way road.

3.       You may pass on a paved shoulder when the vehicle you are passing is slowing or stopped on the main travelled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing to make a left turn.

Do not pass on the right by driving off the paved portion of the highway.

Now you know the Texas defensive driving tips to pass safely. Make sure you visit Easy Texas Defensive Driving for more helpful tips!