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From: drelles@encore.UUCP (Robert Drelles)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Obstructing left lane
Message-ID: <276@encore.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Feb-86 18:11:58 EST
Article-I.D.: encore.276
Posted: Fri Feb  7 18:11:58 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Feb-86 03:47:49 EST
References: <275@twitch.UUCP> <4937@alice.uUCp>
Reply-To: drelles@encore.UUCP (Robert Drelles)
Organization: Encore Computer Corp., Marlboro, MA
Lines: 22
Summary: 

>> Someone just told me that there is a state in which one gets a ticket
>> if he/she gets passed on the right.  Has anyone else heard that?  In NJ
>> it is illegal to pass on the right.
>
>Although this information is several years old, the last time I heard
>about it it was legal to pass on the right in NJ under two circumstances:
>(1) there are two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, or
>(2) the vehicle you are passing on the right is signaling for a left turn.

As I understand it, the same federal legislation that brought us the
55 m.p.h. speed limit also requires states to allow:
	- Right turns on red ("western rule").
	- Passing on the right on roads with two or more lanes going
	  in the same direction.

Prior to the enactment of the federal law, Pennsylvania (where I
grew up) and many other states forbade passing on the right except
under certain enumerated circumstances.  The rationale behind
the federally mandated change was (you guessed it) energy conservation.

Rob Drelles
drelles@encore