Reckless Driving By Passing Two Vehicles Abreast in Virginia is punished under Virginia Code §46.2-856. I have provided the official law below which states the following:

Va Code §46.2-856. Passing two vehicles abreast.

A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who passes or attempts to pass two other vehicles abreast, moving in the same direction, except on highways having separate roadways of three or more lanes for each direction of travel, or on designated one-way streets or highways. This section shall not apply, however, to a motor vehicle passing two other vehicles when one or both of such other vehicles is a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped; nor shall this section apply to a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped passing two other vehicles.

Under this law, the police officer must be able to prove that you — while driving on a two-way road with two lanes going in each direction — passed, or attempted to pass, two other vehicles that were side-by-side with each other and driving in the same direction as yourself. This law punishes you for passing two side-by-side vehicles by driving on the shoulder or in the oncoming traffic lane. This law does not apply to you if you are driving on a one-way road or a two-way road with three or more lanes going in each direction. This law does not apply to you if you are passing a bicycle or moped, or are riding one yourself.

For example, it is considered Reckless Driving By Passing Two Vehicles Abreast in Virginia if you — while driving on a two-way road with two lanes going in each direction — drive in the oncoming traffic lane in order to pass two side-by-side vehicles driving in the same direction as yourself.

By Michael Huff, Esq.