Unsafe Passing on Two-Lane Highways

Whether legal or not, passing on a two lane highway has the potential to cause serious accidents. There are serious dangers associated with passing on a two-lane highway.

Missouri has numerous two-lane highways. Some highways allow for drivers to pass, while others do not. We all have been in a situation when one of the driver’s on a two lane highway is driving well under the speed limit and is holding up the traffic. While it may seem extremely frustrating, it is usually nothing more than an inconvenience. However, attempting to pass another vehicle dangerously on a highway can cause a serious accident.

In some situations, passing on a two-way highway is not allowed. Even when passing is allowed, it is allowed only in small segments of the highway. Whether legal or not, passing on a two lane highway has the potential to cause serious accidents. There are serious dangers associated with passing on a two-lane highway, which include:

• Miscalculating the time it will take to safely pass a vehicle
• Failing to see an oncoming vehicle while passing a vehicle in the front
• Failing to turn on your signal when attempting to pass the vehicle in front of you
• Over-correcting the vehicle when returning to the right lane after passing and swerving to the side of the highway

These are just some of the dangers associated with this maneuver, and there are various other ways in which accidents can occur.

Car accidents involving passing on a two lane highway can cause serious and even permanent injuries. On two lane highways, head on collisions are a real possibility, and vehicles are also at a risk of swerving off the road or rolling over after attempting to pass another vehicle. It is possible to pass other vehicles safely where allowed on highways, but it is still a risk to enter the lane of oncoming traffic in order to pass the vehicle in the front.

Car Accidents Caused by Unsafe Driving

While you may be a safe driver, there will always be others sharing the road with you who choose to pass on two lane highways. There are drivers who blatantly ignore the double yellow line and even traffic signs that specifically prohibit the act.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver who violated a traffic law, the other driver can be held liable for your injuries resulting from the crash. Injuries associated with car accidents on two lane highways are often serious. When a driver attempts to pass on a two lane highway in an unsafe manner, they put many lives at risk.