North Carolina § 20-150 - Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing.

§ 20-150. Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing.

The driver of a vehicle shall not drive to the left side of the center of a highway, in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be made in safety. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction upon the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver's view along the highway is obstructed within a distance of 500 feet. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction at any railway grade crossing nor at any intersection of highway unless permitted so to do by a traffic or police officer. For the purposes of this section the words "intersection of highway" shall be defined and limited to intersections designated and marked by the Department of Transportation by appropriate signs, and street intersections in cities and towns. The driver of a vehicle shall not drive to the left side of the centerline of a highway upon the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where such centerline has been placed upon such highway by the Department of Transportation, and is visible. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another on any portion of the highway which is marked by signs, markers or markings placed by the Department of Transportation stating or clearly indicating that passing should not be attempted. The prohibition in this section shall not apply when the overtaking and passing is done in accordance with all of the following: The slower moving vehicle to be passed is a bicycle or a moped. The slower moving vehicle is proceeding in the same direction as the faster moving vehicle. The driver of the faster moving vehicle either (i) provides a minimum of four feet between the faster moving vehicle and the slower moving vehicle or (ii) completely enters the left lane of the highway. The operator of the slower moving vehicle is not (i) making a left turn or (ii) signaling in accordance with G.S. 20-154 that he or she intends to make a left turn. The driver of the faster moving vehicle complies with all other applicable requirements set forth in this section. (Effective December 1, 2020) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass self-propelled farm equipment proceeding in the same direction when the farm equipment is (i) making a left turn or (ii) signaling that it intends to make a left turn. The foregoing limitations shall not apply upon a one-way street nor to the driver of a vehicle turning left in or from an alley, private road, or driveway. History (1937, c. 407, s. 112; 1955, c. 862; c. 913, s. 2; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1969, c. 13; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; c. 1330, s. 16; 1977, c. 464, s. 34; 1979, c. 472; 2016-90, s. 5.5(a); 2020-18, s. 2(a).) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2016-90, s. 5.5(d), made the last sentence and subdivisions (1) through (5) of subsection (e) of this section, as added by Session Laws 2016-90, s. 5.5(a), applicable to offenses committed on or after October 1, 2016. Session Laws 2020-18, s. 2(b), made subsection (e1), as added by Session Laws 2020-18, s. 2(a), effective December 1, 2020, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date. Session Laws 2020-18, s. 16(a), is a severability clause. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2016-90, s. 5.5(a), effective October 1, 2016, in subsection (e), added "The prohibition in this section shall not apply when the overtaking and passing is done in accordance with all of the following" at the end of the introductory paragraph, and added subdivisions (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), (e)(4), and (e)(5). See editor's note for applicability. Session Laws 2020-18, s. 2(a), added subsection (e1). For effective date and applicability, see editor's note.