When is it safe to pass another vehicle?

Passing another vehicle is safe when the lane is clear and there are no signs prohibiting it. This means that the road ahead allows for such a maneuver, and you are not compromising safety by crossing into oncoming traffic or violating roadway rules. Before making a passing decision, it's essential to check for any clear visibility, ensuring that you can see far enough ahead to safely complete the pass without encountering oncoming vehicles or obstacles.

A clear lane indicates that there shouldn't be any other vehicles, pedestrians, or hazards that could interfere with your ability to complete the pass safely. Additionally, the absence of prohibitive signs reinforces that passing is allowed in that area, giving you the green light to proceed confidently while adhering to the rules of the road.

In contrast, passing during heavy traffic conditions could lead to dangerous situations where limited visibility and increased vehicle density create a higher risk. A double yellow line indicates that passing is illegal, which means that attempting to pass in such situations is unsafe and against traffic regulations. Driving slowly can be frustrating, but it does not, on its own, provide the justification needed to pass an adjacent vehicle unless the above conditions are met.