You should avoid passing another vehicle when you are near a hill crest.

You should avoid passing another vehicle when you are near a hill crest.

• A. In heavy traffic
• B. In a tunnel
• C. On a straight section with good visibility
• D. As you approach a hill crest

Answer: (D)

Passing safely requires enough distance to see oncoming traffic and complete the maneuver without crowding the other driver or leaving your lane. Near a hill crest, your view of the road ahead is blocked by the crest itself, so you can’t tell if a vehicle is approaching in the opposite lane. This hidden traffic means you could find yourself in a head-on situation the moment you begin the pass. That limited sight distance is the reason this moment is unsafe, making it the best cue to avoid passing as you approach a hill crest. In contrast, on a straight section with good visibility you can see far enough to judge the pass safely. In a tunnel visibility is also restricted, which makes any passing risky, but the crest-specific danger lies in the hidden traffic due to the hill. Heavy traffic adds its own challenges, but the core danger at a hill crest is the inability to see what’s coming in time.

Passing safely requires enough distance to see oncoming traffic and complete the maneuver without crowding the other driver or leaving your lane. Near a hill crest, your view of the road ahead is blocked by the crest itself, so you can’t tell if a vehicle is approaching in the opposite lane. This hidden traffic means you could find yourself in a head-on situation the moment you begin the pass. That limited sight distance is the reason this moment is unsafe, making it the best cue to avoid passing as you approach a hill crest.

In contrast, on a straight section with good visibility you can see far enough to judge the pass safely. In a tunnel visibility is also restricted, which makes any passing risky, but the crest-specific danger lies in the hidden traffic due to the hill. Heavy traffic adds its own challenges, but the core danger at a hill crest is the inability to see what’s coming in time.