1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 164

Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have the dropped off theedge of a road onto shoulder while you're driving. Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another a on two-lane highway waitsfor justthe rightmoment, accelerates, moves aroundthe vehicle ahead, thengoes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane since the highway is a potentially dangerous move, passing vehicle occupiesthe same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief surrenderto frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents-- the head-on collision. So here are some tips for passing: "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. If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease the off accelerator and then,if there is nothing in the steer so way, that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter r until the t n u right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel togo straight down the roadway. 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 pass. broken A center line usually indicates it's all right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross solid a line on your side of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic. 4-13