Pass when line is broken
Do not pass when line is solid
No passing with double solid line
Note: All passing must be completed before the center lines are solid again.
Pass Only When Safe
Most passing should be on the left. Passing on the right is allowed only on roads with more than one lane going in the same direction, if vehicles on the roadway are moving in two or more substantially continuous lines or when the motorist ahead is making a left turn and there is room to pass. Never pass on the right shoulder of the road. This is against the law. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-85)
A motorist should not pass:
* On a hill or a curve or at any time he/she cannot see far enough ahead
* At a street crossing or intersection
* At a railroad crossing
* On narrow bridges or in underpasses or tunnels
* When a sign prohibits passing or center lines restrict passing
* When behind a vehicle that has stopped to let a pedestrian cross
Keeping to the right
The laws of New Jersey require motorists to keep to the right, except when passing. Motorists must drive on the right half of the roadway unless driving on a one-way street. Motorists must drive a vehicle as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-82)
On a multi-lane roadway, motorists must drive in the lane nearest to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway when the lane is available for travel, except when overtaking another vehicle or in preparation for a left turn. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-88)
Yielding the right-of-way
Although laws govern the right-of-way, a motorist should always be prepared to yield. These basic rules always apply.
* Emergency vehicles: when police cars, fire engines and ambulances are giving warning signs (sirens, flashing lights)
* Buses: when re-entering the flow of traffic
* Postal vehicles: when vehicle is seeking to re-enter the flow of traffic
* Pedestrians: when in a crosswalk or seeking to cross a road
* Motorized or mobility-assistance devices: when in a crosswalk or seeking to cross a road
* Other vehicles that are already in the intersection
Pedestrians in a crosswalk
New Jersey has experienced a large number of pedestrian injury crashes and fatalities, as compared to the nation as a whole. The most important pedestrian safety message for New Jersey residents is: Pedestrian Safety Is a Shared Responsibility. There is no single cause of crashes involving pedestrians. Pedestrians and motorists must all do their part to keep pedestrians safe.
A motorist must:
* Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. (Per N.J.S.A 39:4-36, failure to yield carries a $100 fine, up to 15 days in jail and a 2-point license penalty.).
* Watch for pedestrians when turning right on red.
* Obey speed limits.
* Be sure not to block or park in crosswalks.
* Keep the vehicles windshield clean for maximum visibility.
* Be alert for pedestrians at all times.
* Be aware of areas where pedestrians are most likely to appear (near schools, town centers, residential neighborhoods, parks).
* Never pass another vehicle that has stopped to yield to a pedestrian.
* Yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians in a crosswalk, even if they began crossing with a proper signal and they are still in the crosswalk when the signal changes.
* Remember that pedestrians are the most vulnerable roadway users. Motorists will be held responsible for maintaining pedestrian safety.
Intersections
An intersection is where two or more roads cross or merge at angles. As most collisions occur at intersections, a motorist should be aware of the three types of intersections and know how to safely navigate through them. A single solid white line across a road at an intersection means that a motorist must stop behind the line for a traffic signal or sign.
Controlled
An intersection is controlled if there are traffic signals or signs in any direction. A motorist must obey the signals and signs. At a controlled intersection, a motorist must yield for certain conditions. At a multi-way stop or stop intersection, a motorist must yield to the motorist on the right if both motorists get there at the same time. A motorist should also yield to another motorist already stopped at the intersection. At an intersection controlled by a yield sign, a motorist must slow down and yield to traffic on the intersecting roadway, even if he/she has to stop. When making a left turn at an intersection, a motorist must yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians within the crosswalk.
Note: Driving on private property to avoid a traffic signal or sign is a motor vehicle violation. (N.J.S.A.39:4-66.2)
Uncontrolled
An intersection is uncontrolled when two or more roads join and there is no traffic signal or regulatory device. A motorist must be very careful when approaching these types of intersections. Most of the time there will be a warning sign prior to reaching the intersection. As a motorist nears a crossroad that is not controlled, he/she must reduce speed and be ready to stop if any traffic is coming from the right or left. A motorist coming from a private road or driveway must yield to all traffic on the main road (although a motorist can never be sure that will occur). As a general rule, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right. When a traffic signal is not illuminated because of a power failure or other malfunction, the traffic signal is observed as a 4-way stop signal. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-81)
Blind
Buildings, parked vehicles or bushes may obstruct a motorists line of sight. On rural roadways, trees or crops may obstruct a motorists line of sight. A motorist should always slow down or stop completely to make sure there is no cross traffic before proceeding.
Traffic Circle
There are no set rules for driving into, around and out of a traffic circle in New Jersey. Common sense and caution must prevail at all times. In most cases, the circles historically established traffic flow pattern dictates who has the right-of- way. If a major highway flows into and through the circle, it usually dominates the traffic flow pattern and commands the right-of-way. Traffic control signs, such as stop or yield signs, at the entrances to the circle also govern which motorist has the right-of-way. Never enter a traffic circle without checking all signs and determining the intentions of the motorists already moving within the circle.
Whenever a motorist is in doubt concerning who has the right-of-way in a circle, he/she should exercise extreme caution and remember the basic rule governing any uncontrolled intersection: The vehicle to the left yields the right-of-way to the vehicle approaching from the right.
Entering highways, parkways and turnpikes
Use turn signal/Speed up to flow of traffic
Highways, parkways and turnpikes are high-speed (up to 65 mph) divided roadways and generally have multiple lanes. Traffic on each side of the divide will travel in only one direction. There are no direct intersections. Motorists enter these roadways by way of acceleration lanes, which are extra lanes at highway entrances used by motorists to speed up to join the flow of traffic. A motorist must yield to traffic already traveling on the main road before moving into the proper lane.
Keep the following points in mind when entering a highway, parkway or turnpike:
* Obey posted advisory speed limits (if any) at the entrance ramp.
* Speed up to the flow of traffic when leaving the acceleration lane.
* Avoid coming to a complete stop in the acceleration lane.
* Yield to traffic and enter the right-hand lane when safe.