Unit 6: How to Pass & School Buses
The left lane is normally used for passing. You cannot pass a vehicle on the left if: your lane has a solid yellow center line; you cannot safely return to the right lane before a solid yellow center line for the right lane, or before an oncoming vehicle comes within 200 feet (60 m); you approach a curve or hilltop on a two-way road and cannot see over/around it; you are within 100 feet (30 m) of a railroad crossing on a two-way road with obstructed view; you are within 100 feet of a tunnel/bridge/viaduct on a two-way road with obstructed view; or passing would interfere with oncoming traffic.
Before passing, check mirrors and signal, then look over your left shoulder (mirrors alone leave blind spots). Move completely into the left lane, and before returning right, make sure you can see the front bumper of the passed vehicle in your interior mirror, plus check over your right shoulder.
You are normally required to pass on the left, but limited situations allow passing on the right: when a vehicle ahead makes a left turn; on a two-way road marked/wide enough for two or more lanes in each direction (if not restricted); or on a one-way road marked/wide enough for two or more lanes (if not restricted). You must never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross.
If another vehicle passes you on the left, decrease speed slightly and stay centered in your lane, then resume normal speed once it is safely ahead. If you're passed by many vehicles on the right, move into the right lane and let them pass on the left.
When you pass a motorcycle, give it the same full-lane width you would give any other vehicle — never share the lane with a motorcycle. When overtaking a bicyclist, the law requires you to pass on the left at a safe distance until the bicycle has been cleared.
When a stopped school bus flashes its RED lights, traffic approaching from EITHER direction — even in front of the school, in school parking lots, and even on the opposite side of a divided highway — must stop before reaching the bus, at least 20 feet (6 m) away. You can identify a school bus by its "SCHOOL BUS" sign, red lights on top, and yellow-orange color.
Before stopping to load/unload, the bus driver usually flashes YELLOW warning lights first — when you see these, decrease speed and be prepared to stop. Once stopped for a bus, you cannot proceed until the bus resumes moving, or the driver/a traffic officer signals you to go. This law applies on ALL roadways in New York State.