1998 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 182

Passing The driverof a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for the right moment, just accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver? 0 Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the 0 When it looks like a chanceto pass is coming up, passing vehicle occupies the same lane oncoming as start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don' traffic for several seconds. miscalculation, an error in A get too close. Time your move you will be so judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can increasing speed as time comes to move into the the suddenly put the passing driver face face with the to other lane. If the is clear to pass, you will have way a worst of all traffic accidents the head-on collision. -"running start" that more than makes up for the distance you would by dropping back. And lose if So here aresome 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. Watch for traffk signs, pavement markings and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a t r or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken un center line usually indicates it'sl right to pass a l (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side ofthe lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traffk. something happens to causeyou to cancel your pass, Do not get too close to vehicle you want to the pass while you're awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especiallyif you're following a larger if vehicle. Also, you won't have adequate space the vehicle ahead suddenly slows stops. Keep or back a reasonable distance. you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take that someone isn't trying to care pass you as you pull to pass the slow vehicle. out Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. 4-13