Question

Difficulty: MediumPassing, Overtaking, and Lane Changing Rules

You are driving on a two-lane highway behind a slow-moving truck. Although the pavement marking on your side is a broken yellow line, you notice a steep hill crest approaching ahead. Under standard traffic laws, which rule governs your ability to pass in this situation?

  1. A
    You may pass as long as you temporarily exceed the posted speed limit to clear the truck before reaching the crest.
  2. You must not pass if your line of sight is obstructed by the hill crest, despite the broken yellow line.Answer
  3. C
    You may cross into the oncoming lane to pass if you flash your high-beam headlights to warn vehicles over the crest.
  4. D
    You are permitted to pass because a broken yellow line always guarantees that the roadway ahead is clear.

Answer

Drivers must not initiate a pass when approaching a hill crest or any point where sight distance is restricted, even if pavement markings normally allow passing.
Traffic safety laws strictly prohibit passing on two-lane roads whenever a hill crest, curve, or other physical obstruction prevents a clear view of oncoming traffic. Even if pavement lines are broken, driver visibility and real-time safety dictate whether passing is lawful.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the visibility conditions ahead on the roadway.
Identified a hill crest that limits view of potential oncoming traffic.
Safe passing requires clear sight distance to verify that the oncoming lane is unoccupied.
2
Apply statutory rules regarding passing near hazards and sight restrictions.
Determined that passing is prohibited whenever sight distance is restricted by terrain features such as hills or curves.
Pavement markings do not supersede the fundamental requirement to maintain clear line-of-sight before entering oncoming lanes.

Key Concept

Sight distance restrictions and terrain hazards override permissive pavement markings during passing maneuvers.
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