1994 Chevrolet Astro Owner's Manual - Page 164

Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on two-lane highway waits a for justthe right moment,accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the rightlane again. A simple maneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies same the lane as oncoming trafficfor 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 worstof all trafficaccidents - the head-on collision. So here are some tipsfor passing: "Drive ahead." Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect your passing patterns. you have any doubt If whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait a better time. for 0 Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. you can see a If sign up ahead that might indicate turn or an intersection, delay your a pass. A broken center line usually indicates it's all right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never crosssolid line on your side a of the lane ora double solid line, even the road seems empty of if approaching traffic. 0 Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you're awaiting an opportunity. Forone thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especiallyif you're following a larger vehicle. Also, you won't haveadequate 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 Time your moveso you close. will be increasing speed asthe time comes to move the other lane. into If the way is clear to pass, you will have "running start" that more a than makes upfor the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happensto cause you to cancel your pass,you need only slow down anddrop back again and wait another opportunity. for If other cars are lined up to passa slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying pass you as you pull out to pass to the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder andcheck the blind spot. Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front your inside in mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the 0 0 0