1994 Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual - Page 147

Your Driving and the Road r # Passing 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 9 dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as Off-Road Recovery oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a You may find sometime that your right brief surrender to frustration or anger can wheels have dropped off the edge of a suddenly put the passing driver face to road onto the shoulder while you're face with the worst of all traffic accidents driving. -- the head-on collision. If the level of the shoulder is only slight1Y So here are some tips for passing: below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and "Drive ahead." Look down the road, then, if there is nothing in the way, steer to the sides, and to crossroads for so that your vehicle straddles the edge of situations that might affect your the pavement. You can turn the steering passing patterns. If you have any wheel up to 1/4 turn until the right front doubt whatsoever about making a tire contacts the pavement edge. Then successful pass, wait for a better time. turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway. Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that mightindicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A brokencenter 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'reawaiting 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 backa 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 upfor the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happens to 146