Passing Multiple Cars

[motorcop2396]

Would one of our resident experts please clarify the proper procedure for passing multiple cars?Yesterday on a IN 26 (2 lanes) I attempted to pass 2 cars. Just when I got up to the rear left passenger door on the rear car he pulls out to pass. He had missed the 2 previous opportunities to pass.

Sherman,

I think the key phrase above is that he missed the 2 opportunities to pass earlier. The 2nd guy was looking to pass and that is what he was thinking about (and nothing more). Sure there is a bike behind me, but isn't it all about ME?

I have passed multiple cars but all were content to follow each other really closely. I guess that is how cagers bond.

I drop a gear when I see a car ahead of me that obviously needs passing. I drop another gear to pass and I agree with the 5-6k range for rpms. Git 'er done.

The safest answer is .. the guy showed a desire to pass so I think he gets the first chance to do it. He would have to do something such as wave your forward or admit that he can't pass a car (in writing) before you can safely assume that his goal in life is not passing the car ahead of him.

Just my "safety first" 2 cents.

Art

AAAhhh I maybe missing something here but you know its illegal to pass more than one car at a time right ? Just thought I would throw that out there, for your safety and all .....

 

[motorcop2396]

I wonder if there is some kind of legal limit for the number of cars you can pass. Terri and I passed over 30 cars at one time on the way to YosemiteI never broke the speed limit, never crossed a double yellow, and felt real safe doing it. But I was still 5 cars from the front when the draw bridge came up.

Yea there is a limit....... its 1, no wonder I do so well at ticket writting .... Thanks

 

[Sir Price]

We were out on a charity ride last weekend that got split up ,,,, (no pilice escort to get us thro the lights) . So when I caught up to about 10 bikes stuck behind two 4x4's (SUV) I followed for about 10 kilometers or so . The bikes where on and off the gas all the time well below the posted speed limit, so as soon as there was no oncoming traffic , down a gear to 3rd and crack the gas . 10 bikes and two 4x4's in one hit , as quickly and safely as possible, the less time spent in the opposite lane the safer I feel.

Top speed was, I dunno but about 1.5 times the maximum posted in Australia ,, no fuss and all done very safely, whilst overtaking I am watching what the driver is doing and what any other traffic is doing + watching for gateways etcetcetc.

 

[Fred W]

AAAhhh I maybe missing something here but you know its illegal to pass IN GEORGIA more than one car at a time right ?

Fixed it for you.

Just because it's illegal in your jurisdiction doesn't mean the rules are the same everywhere...

 

[cougar8000]

AAAhhh I maybe missing something here but you know its illegal to pass IN GEORGIA more than one car at a time right ?

Fixed it for you.

Just because it's illegal in your jurisdiction doesn't mean the rules are the same everywhere...

Well, it is 1 car in IL. So,watch it Fred when you are here or there

 

[El Toro]

AAAhhh I maybe missing something here but you know its illegal to pass IN GEORGIA more than one car at a time right ?

Fixed it for you.

Just because it's illegal in your jurisdiction doesn't mean the rules are the same everywhere...

Well, it is 1 car in IL. So,watch it Fred when you are here or there

I've held driver's licenses in 9 different states, and I can't remember any where it was legal to tool out and take multiple vehicles in a pass. That doesn't mean its not done, and it doesn't mean that its enforced.... but the issues raised on awareness of drivers in the queue getting passed by someone far back, and pulling into the passer without knowing their presence is real, predictable, and has probably lead to accidents in just about every state out there.

What really T's me off is waiting patiently while some a**hole lifts the front wheel and unicycles by several vehicles over double yellow and on a blind curve. Believe me, it happens (especially on these ******* greatest motorcycle roads we are notorious for). I'm not ticked off because he beat me to the pass. I'm ticked off because as many "SPLATS" as I've seen, when I see a new one, it makes me sick at my heart.

 

[cougar8000]

I might have been wrong in my prior statement. And motorcop2396 would have to provide evidence to support his claim now. I just googly goo the GA DMV and found Driver Manual that is used to learn and pass the test.

https://www.dds.ga.gov/docs/forms/FullDriversManual.pdf

I have searched it back and forth and could not find anything that would regulate how many cars can be passed legally at one point of time.

But I was under impression that it can only be one car. My world is crashing down on me. GA COPS and others please provide any evidence to support that only 1 car can be passed legally.

Thank you.

 

[El Toro]

I might have been wrong in my prior statement. And motorcop2396 would have to provide evidence to support his claim now. I just googly goo the GA DMV and found Driver Manual that is used to learn and pass the test.
https://www.dds.ga.gov/docs/forms/FullDriversManual.pdf

I have searched it back and forth and could not find anything that would regulate how many cars can be passed legally at one point of time.

But I was under impression that it can only be one car. My world is crashing down on me. GA COPS and others please provide any evidence to support that only 1 car can be passed legally.

Thank you.

You know, it could be legal.... and at the same time really stupid. These aren't mutually exclusive traits.

 

[cougar8000]

.... but the issues raised on awareness of drivers in the queue getting passed by someone far back, and pulling into the passer without knowing their presence is real, predictable, and has probably lead to accidents in just about every state out there.

There is a law against this. Problem is it is not enforced probably because it is easier and more "rewarding" to spot and ticket a guy passing at a higher speed then to ticket a shmo that is tooling around and creating a traffic jam.

You know, it could be legal.... and at the same time really stupid. These aren't mutually exclusive traits.

Totally agree, but still would love to hear from our law enforcement people.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Yea there is a limit....... its 1, no wonder I do so well at ticket writting .... Thanks

Unless there is some part of my New Mexico statute book I missed (which isn't likely) it is not illegal here to pass more than one car. There is actually a speeding exception if in the middle of the pass, speeding is required to complete the pass safely. That exception has to be pretty specific though, so I wouldn't count on it if you get popped doin 100mph in a 65 and then say you had to do it to pass. I think it would be pretty chicken **** to cite someone for passing more than one car if it is done without endangering others. Besides, not all lines will even let you in.

With NM's terrain, its pretty hard to find an area where you can pass more than 3-4 cars at a time. Lots of hills and curves. Sometimes it looks like a funeral procession when some doofus is in the front of the line doing 5mph under the limit and no one can get around. I do my best to get the Hell past that cluster as safely as possible.

 

[motorcop2396]

.... but the issues raised on awareness of drivers in the queue getting passed by someone far back, and pulling into the passer without knowing their presence is real, predictable, and has probably lead to accidents in just about every state out there.

There is a law against this. Problem is it is not enforced probably because it is easier and more "rewarding" to spot and ticket a guy passing at a higher speed then to ticket a shmo that is tooling around and creating a traffic jam.

You know, it could be legal.... and at the same time really stupid. These aren't mutually exclusive traits.

Totally agree, but still would love to hear from our law enforcement people.

WOW , what a response did I hit a nerve? Love it

OK here it is .....

GA LAW......40-6-390 a ANY PERSON WHO DRIVES ANY VEHICLE IN A RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF PERSONS OR PROPERTY COMMITS THE OFFENSE OF RECKLESS DRIVING

Passing 2 4x4 and 10 bikes would constitute reckless driving. Things to consider would be , by passing these vehicles would I violate any of these conditions and create a safety issue not only for others on the road but for myself ie increased speed above the posted speed limit, cutting off other drivers/riders and crossing double yellow lines etc...blah blah blah.

Now with that being said the law is open for interpretation. And if I catch ya risking others safety including your own in "my juisdiction off to the poky you go. Because I interpret that as reckless.

I could be wrong?

But man I could not have raised public safety awareness any more than right here right now .... I"M very warm and fuzzy

 

[painman]

Here's the old quote: "Drive like your invisable", (and this is the part I like to add), "and they're trying to kill me." Now if its one car or even more, do it in a safe controlled manner, and the good part, don't exceed the speed limit when passing. (unless your out in the middle of nowhere with no cops around) and nobody really cares anyway.

I learned in along time ago while driving a commercial vehicle, if one is doing 65 mph and another is doing 55 mph the faster vehicle will only arrive just a few minutes ahead of the slower vehicle. Point is I would rather make it to my destination in one piece and or back home to my family in one piece safe and sound. The family part is my responsibility. Just be safe, will ya. PM. <><

 

[sradek]

Drop two gears, pin it. It will seem like they're parked and you'll fly right by. Safer in spots where they don't have the room to pass and you do. You can always roll off and slide back into the proper lane if there's less room than you estimated. My personal passing speed limit is established by the FJR rev limiter.
Last weekend, I pulled that move (3 vehicles), only to discover some parked vehicles at the roadside up ahead where there usually shouldn't be any. Mash the binders, haul it down to allowed speed, and discovered the local speed troll had two cages pulled over. He didn't even notice me, although I would have been the big fish that day if he'd clocked me ten seconds sooner. On my way back through there, my Escort served me well, as it was dark and I was on a mission to get home.

Wow, we think alike. Stay away from cagers by being ready with the right gear (lower) for the speed you are at. Look for tell-tale signs of tires moving in phunny ways (stay away!) and girls putting on lipstick, holding the cell phone and others reading their morning (?) paper, etc. Bunch of idiots.

I use my freight train horn when necessary and that helps me stop the cagers in their tracks at slower speeds.

I haven't had an accident since I have been riding (since 17) because of my watchful eye. Hopefully, that will continue till I die of natural death ...

At speeds faster, I simply weave away from every one else constantly.

 

[Fred W]

WOW , what a response did I hit a nerve? Love it OK here it is .....

GA LAW......40-6-390 a ANY PERSON WHO DRIVES ANY VEHICLE IN A RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF PERSONS OR PROPERTY COMMITS THE OFFENSE OF RECKLESS DRIVING

Passing 2 4x4 and 10 bikes would constitute reckless driving. Things to consider would be , by passing these vehicles would I violate any of these conditions and create a safety issue not only for others on the road but for myself ie increased speed above the posted speed limit, cutting off other drivers/riders and crossing double yellow lines etc...blah blah blah.

Oh, man, what a cop out! (sorry, bad pun :blink: )

Here you lead us to believe there's an actual law against passing more than one vehicle at a time in Georgia, and then you drag out the old "safe and prudent" argument. Everyone knows that every state has some form of that statute. But passing two cars at a time definitely does NOT AUTOMATICALLY violate that law.

I'd say that you just lost 10 points on the future credibility scale... :glare:

 

[ShawnKing]

Oh, man, what a cop out! (sorry, bad pun :blink: )

I'm with you on that one. I just wasted 30 mins on various web sites trying to find that citation or something like it. "Reckless Driving" is a catchall.

 

[cougar8000]

I am with Fred on this one. MotorCop, you are digging your own hole. You have stated that it is illegal to pass more then 1 car at a time, but has provided no evidence of a such law.

Let me be clear. I respect cops and what they do. I do follow the law most of the time, 55 on a wide open hwy is a stupid law and creates more problems then it solves. No, you did not hit a nerve. I do agree that passing more then one car is dangerous and rarely do it myself. But do your self and others a favor and do not hide behind reckless driving law. It has nothing to do with it.

I hope it is just a big mis-understanding.

 

[cougar8000]

Fred, I would like to take back my comment yesterday about it being illegal to pass multiple cars in IL. Just searched Rules of the Road in IL and there is nothing there that tells us that it is Illegal.

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publicat.../dsd_a11215.pdf

Looking more into it. The only thing that one can be sighted , at least in IL based on its law, is for speeding while passing. Reckless driving has nothing to do with it unless you do in in the turn or other stupid stuff.

 

[Fred W]

Well, it's a good thing for me that it isn't illegal, 'cause I do it all the time.

If the road is straight and you can see the oncoming lane is clear, then passing a second (or 3rd, or 4th) car really isn't much more dangerous than passing just the last one in the line, IMO. Yes you have to be vigilant of the cars in the line not attempting their own pass, but that is also true of the 1st car you pass (last one in the line) too.

 

[El Toro]

Well, I'm probably wrong about it being specifically illegal in my experience. But I'm not wrong about it generally being a high risk adventure. I suspect that enforcement comes when someone decides that its wreckless as suggested above.

Because they have so much trouble making "wreckless" stick, some states are adding statutes that specifically state that riding on one wheel is automatically deemed wreckless. Unless its spelled out what wreckless is, its up to the judge... and if the judge doesn't support the enforcing officer, then the enforcing officer may get tired of calling folks out.

We know from countless discussions here that folks have their own riding habits, and these aren't generally going to change from the discussion. On a two lane road, if I'm several vehicles behind a slow poke, I'm going to either wait it out, stop for coffee, or take the next fork in the road.

 

[Art FJR]

Technically, I think you are really just passing one car at a time anyway. If you can only pass one at a time legally, would you have to get between the cars and stay there for "x" seconds (x varies by state), and then proceed?

What if you can see for a mile down the road and it is clear? What if the cars are following each other too closely (less then 2 seconds between them)?

I am good for 2 cars when I am sure that I am good to go. I agree with an earlier post when there are many folks in front of you that seemed content with the status quo that it is perhaps time to stop and take a break.

As for riding on one wheel, I really hope that never happens to me.

Art