[DaffeDuc]

Found this interesting info on California law regarding passing, etc...

RIGHT-OF-WAY
CVC525 states: " 'Right-of-way' is the privilege of the immediate use of the highway."


5. When a motorist is driving on a two-lane highway (one lane in each direction) and is driving slow enough to cause five or more vehicles to back up behind his or her vehicle, that motorist must pull off the road at the nearest designated turnout (or wherever there is enough room to turn out safely) to allow the backed-up traffic to pass.


CVC22400 states:
"(a) No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of grade, or in compliance with law.



CVC21753 states: "

 

[900Steve]

it can get frustrating somtimes. ive passed cars on double yellows, but only on straights with plenty of visibilty.

 

[Guest]

that should be a federal law and it should be inscribed on the dashboard of every goddam florida-plated (and for that matter, ANY state) motor-home currently clogging and impeding the highways and byways of America

 

[DaffeDuc]

the motor homes are not as bad as the 18-wheelers... on one of the North Bay runs, we were way out in the boonies (saw maybe 2 cars at most?)... where there shouldn't be any traffic to begin with and there's this tractor trailer puffing away in the middle of the twisties - maybe he was hauling illegal cargo? now getting around him was a chore!

 

[CRASH!]

I've got no reservations whatever about passing on a double yellow if I feel it's safe. Bear in mind that double yellows and dashes are designed with the acceleration of automobiles in mind. It takes much less of a straight to get by on a bike.

Of course sometimes double yellows are there not because of line-of-sight visibility but because of intersections, driveways, parking lots and other hazards. So it's important to assess the full situation before deciding to blast around.

I got pulled over on Easter for passing on a double yellow. Sight line was good, but it was in a stretch of about 25 closely spaced houses on an otherwise pretty open road. Bad choice. I was lucky. The cop let me off with a verbal.

Of course the poll said "group ride." That makes things much different. As the group gets larger, the more precarious the situation becomes. People further back in the group tend to feel more pressure to get around and stay with the pack. This can lead to some bad choices. Even if there are plenty of places to pass, no cager likes to be buzzed by a dozen bikes. Add to this, the fact that it's precisely on roads with few passing opportunities that I really want to pass (so I can get unimpeded runs at the turns)! So we're likely to be ripping by under less than ideal situations.

Big group rides should be considered more social and you've got to have the discipline to mellow out a bit. If you really want to rip up the mountains, go out early in very small groups.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I pass when I can see far enough ahead to get around the vehicle safely, regardless of how the lines are painted. I passed somebody just yesterday on a fairly tight left turn, because I could see three turns further up the road, the guy was very slow, and it was obvious he wasn't going to pull over until at least after the interesting part of the road.

I've known about the California law concerning five or more vehicles behind you for years now, and many California drivers seem to understand it, but very few from other states appear to know about it. I'm tempted, after getting by an offender, to help them find the next turnout and motion them off the road there. I know someone who claims to have done it a few times, but once I'm past, I usually just want to enjoy the clear road ahead.

 

[jack]

I pass when it's safe to pass. If line's solid, I figure out why and look twice for LEO's, but it doesn't stop me.

 

[arecarless]

that should be a federal law and it should be inscribed on the dashboard of every goddam florida-plated

Funny, Floridians say that about out-of-staters...

No, I am not from Florida. My cousin just graduated from USF, and had to get a big USF sticker for his backglass. He still had his out-of-state plates, and too many people would yell "f\/(<in' tourist!!! Go back to Ohio!" every time he slipped up.
Arecarless

 

[DaffeDuc]

i think riders still basically stick to the same habits even if it's on a group ride as compared to riding solo, although there seems to be much more competition (i.e. trying to show off by keeping up with the rider ahead or getting out in front).

 

[midwest]

"I like riding behind slow people"
Daffe, you crack me up.

 

[AlexB]

Found this interesting info on California law regarding passing, etc...


CVC21753 states: "