1996 Cadillac Seville Owner's Manual - Page 196

Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for justthe right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the rightlane 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 laneas oncoming traffic for severalseconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to 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 sometips for passing: 0 0 0 "Drive ahead." Look down the road, to the sides IO ana 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. 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 right to pass all (providing the road ahead clear). Never crossa solid is 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're awaiting an opportunity. For onething, following too closely reduces your area ofvision, especially if you're following a larger vehicle. Also, you won't have adequatespace if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a 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 thetime comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will havea "running start" that more than makes for the up distance you would loseby dropping back. And if something happens to cause you to cancel yourpass, you need only slow down and drop back again and wait foranother opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take carethat someone isn't trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. 0 0