Owner's Manual
The driver
of
a vehicle about
to
pass another
on
a
two-lane highway waits for just
the
right moment,
accelerates, ,moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes
back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?
Not
necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane
highway
is
a potentially dangerous move, since the
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
traffic for several seconds.
A
miscalculation, an error
in
judgment, or a brief surrender
to
frustration or anger can
suddenly put
the
passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents
--
the head-on collision.
So
here are some tips
for
passing:
“Drive ahead.’’ Look down the road,
to
the sides,
and to crossroads for situations that might affect
your passing patterns. If you have any doubt
whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for
a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might
indicate a turn or an intersection, delay
your
pass.
A
broken center line usually indicates it’s
all
right
to
pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never
cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double
solid line, even
if
the road seems empty
of
approaching traffic.
Do
not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially
if
you’re following a larger vehicle. Also,
you
won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable
distance.
When
it
looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in
the
right lane and don’t
get
too
close. Time your move
so
you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into
the
other lane. If the
way
is clear
to
pass, you
will
have
a
“running start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And
if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only
slow
down and drop back again and
wait
for
another opportunity.
150