Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Permit Practice Test

In a situation where two vehicles meet on a steep mountain road and cannot pass, which vehicle has the right-of-way?

1. The vehicle traveling downhill

2. The larger vehicle

3. The vehicle traveling uphill

4. The vehicle with the most passengers

The correct answer is: The vehicle traveling uphill

In situations where two vehicles encounter one another on a steep mountain road and cannot pass, the vehicle traveling uphill has the right-of-way. This practice stems from the principle that a vehicle traveling uphill has less momentum and is typically more difficult to restart after coming to a stop, especially on a steep incline. Therefore, the vehicle going uphill should generally be given priority, as it may struggle to regain traction and speed if forced to reverse or maneuver around another vehicle. Conversely, the vehicle traveling downhill has more control and force due to gravity, allowing it to maneuver more easily. Uphill travel requires more effort and a careful approach to ensure safe passage, which is why the uphill vehicle is often granted priority in these circumstances. It is also relevant to note that considerations like the size of the vehicle or the number of passengers do not influence the right-of-way rules in this specific scenario, as the key factor is the direction of travel in relation to the incline of the road.