1996 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 161

Passing The driverof a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for the right moment, just accelerates, moves around thle 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 dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same laneoncoming a5 traffic for several seconds. miscalculation, an error in A judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to with the face worst of all traffic accidents the head-on collision. -. d " . i( . .' So here are some tips passing: for "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 time. a Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings and lines. Lf you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a t r or an intersection, delay your pass. broken un A all center line usually indicates it's right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on yous side o the lane or adouble solid line, f even if the road seems empty approaching traffic. of * .: ' ,) ; Do not get too close to the vehicle 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, you won't haveadequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like achance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay the right lane and don't in get too close. Time o u move so you will be y increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane.If the way is clear to pass, will havea you "running start" that more than makesup for the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happens to cause you to cancel yourpass, you need only slow down and dropback again and wait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn.But take care that someone isn't tryigg to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. 4-13