Under what circumstance could you drive off the paved road to pass another vehicle?

• A. Under no circumstance
• B. Whenever you think the road is wide enough
• C. If there is a slow moving vehicle
• D. If you are in a rural area

Answer: (A)

Never drive off the paved roadway to pass. The shoulder isn’t a travel lane and isn’t designed for normal traffic speeds or passing. It’s meant for emergencies and occasional stops, not overtaking other vehicles. Leaving the pavement to pass can put you and others at serious risk and is illegal in Ohio.

If you need to pass, do so in the traveled lane only when it’s safe and legal to do so—usually by moving to the left lane on a multi-lane road or waiting for a clear, safe opportunity in the same lane on a two-lane road. The other scenarios don’t justify leaving the pavement to pass.