1994 Oldsmobile 88 Owner's Manual - Page 146

iour Driving and the Road 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 thevehicle 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, youwon't have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks likea chance to passis coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right laneand don't get too close. Time your move you will be so increasing speedas thetime comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a "running start" thatmore than makes up for the distance you would loseby dropping back. Andif something happensto cause youto cancel your pass, need you only slow down drop back again and and wait foranother opportunity. If other cars are linedup to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take Let's review what driving experts say care that someone isn't trying pass to about what happens when the three you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don't have enough friction shoulder and check the blind spot. where thetires meet the road to do Check your mirrors, glance over your what thedriver has asked. shoulder, and start your left lane give change signal before moving of the In anyemergency, don't up. Keep out trying to steer and constantly seek an right lane to pass. When you far are escape routeor area of less danger. enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, Skidding activate your right lane change signal In a skid, a driver can losecontrol of and move back into the right lane. the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid (Remember that your right outside most skids by taking reasonable care mirror is convex. The vehicle you just suited to existing conditions, and by not passed may seemto be farther away "overdriving" those canditions. But from you than it really is.) skids are always possible. Try not to pass morethan one vehicle The threetypes of skids correspond to at a timeon two-lane roads. Reconsider your Oldsmobile's threecontrol before passing the next vehicle. systems. In the braking skid your Don't overtake a slowly moving wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or vehicle too rapidly. Even though the cornering slud, too much speed or brake lights are not flashing, it may be steering in a curve causes tires to slip slowing down orstarting to turn. and lose cornering force. Andin the If you're being passed, make it easy for acceleration skid too much throttle causes thedriving wheels to spin. to the following driver get aheadof you. Perhaps you can ease a little the right. to 144