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Question

Difficulty: MediumPassing, Overtaking, and Lane Changing Rules

A driver is traveling on a two-lane rural road behind a slow-moving vehicle. The center pavement marking on the driver's side is a broken yellow line, but the driver notices a highway-rail grade crossing posted 80 feet directly ahead. What is the driver legally required to do in this situation?

  1. Remain in the current lane and refrain from passing until safely beyond the railroad crossingAnswer
  2. B
    Accelerate quickly to complete the pass before reaching the railroad tracks because the broken line permits passing
  3. C
    Exceed the posted speed limit if necessary to finish overtaking before crossing the tracks
  4. D
    Drive onto the paved right shoulder to pass the vehicle without crossing the center line

Answer

The driver must remain in their lane and delay passing because traffic laws prohibit passing within 100 feet of a railroad grade crossing.
Traffic laws explicitly state that no vehicle shall be driven on the left side of the roadway when approaching within 100 feet of any railroad grade crossing, intersection, bridge, or tunnel. Because the railroad crossing is 80 feet ahead, passing is illegal even though a broken yellow line is present.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the lane markings and road features
The driver is on a two-lane road with a broken yellow line, but a railroad crossing is located 80 feet ahead.
Passing rules depend on pavement markings as well as specific proximity restrictions to roadway hazards.
2
Apply proximity restrictions for passing maneuvers
Under standard traffic safety laws, drivers may not drive on the left side of the roadway to pass within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, or tunnel.
Potential hazards and limited visibility near railroad tracks significantly increase collision risks.
3
Determine the legal action
Since 80 feet is within the 100-foot restricted buffer zone, initiating a pass is illegal regardless of the broken yellow line.
Safety proximity prohibitions take precedence over standard permissive lane markings.

Key Concept

Prohibited Passing Zones Near Railroad Crossings
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Passing, Overtaking, and Lane Changing Rules

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