1994 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 115

Passing fie driver of a vehicle about pass another to )n a two-lane highway waits for just the ight moment, accelerates, moves around ;he vehicle ahead, then goes back into the ight lane again. A simple maneuver? Vot necessarily! Passing another vehicle m a two-lane highway is apotentially jangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as mcoming 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; 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 wanttopasswhileyou'reawaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces areavision, your of especially ifyou'refollowingalarger 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 you will be so increasing speedas the time comesto move into the other lane. the way is If 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. Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have.dropped off the edge of a :oad onto the shoulder while you're hiving. [f the level of the shoulder is only slight13 below the pavement, recovery should be Fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway. So here are some tips for passing: 0 "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 0 113...