DriveSmartBC

Can you do an article on cars passing on the right? Especially when you are at an intersection on a two lane road and making a left turn. I have had cars whiz by me on the right because they were too impatient to wait. Also I have been making a left turn before a cross walk and people have been crossing and cars go by on the right almost hitting the person in the cross walk.

In general, passing on the right is forbidden in British Columbia. There are only three situations where this may be done legally and they are subject to restrictions as well. Don't take your cues from other drivers as most of them do it incorrectly!

You may pass an overtaken vehicle on the right if there is an unobstructed lane there to do it in.

You may pass an overtaken vehicle on the right if you are driving on a one way street, there is an unobstructed lane and the street is at least two lanes wide.

You may pass an overtaken vehicle on the right if it is turning left, or the driver is signalling the intention to turn left. If a vehicle not turning has stopped between you and the vehicle turning left you must wait. Lack of a signal might be a clue in this instance.

I did mention restrictions as well. The first stands to reason, you must not pass on the right if it is unsafe to do so. The second is the one that most drivers don't understand and that is you cannot pass on the right if doing so means driving off of the roadway. You may recall from past columns that the roadway is the part of the highway between the center line and the solid white line at the right edge, or if no solid line is marked, then the edge of the pavement.

Reference:

Passing on the Right - Section 158 MVA