1995 Buick Century Owner's Manual - Page 143

Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another a on 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 a two-lane on highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies same lane as oncoming the traffic for several seconds.A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or abrief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver faceto 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 better a time. Watch for traRic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate aturn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken center lineusually indicates it's all right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane ora 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 opportunity. For one thing, an following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you're following a larger vehicle. Also, you won't have adequate spaceif the vehicle ahead suddenly slows orstops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like achance to pass iscoming up, start to accelerate but in the right lane and don't stay 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 topass, 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 causeyou to cancel your pass, you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for anotheropportunity. If other cars arelined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take carethat someone isn't trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. 4-11