1994 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 147

Passing , .. . . I 3 . . The driverof a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, movesaround the vehcle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again. A simplemaneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerousmove, since the passing vehicle occupi&the same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation,error in an judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration oranger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face the worst of all traffic accidents -the with head-on collision. So here are some tips for passing: 0 "Drive ahead." Look down the road, to the sides, to crossroads for and situations thatmight affect your passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for a better time. Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead thatmight indicate aturn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken center lineusually indicates it's all right to pass (providing theroad ahead is clear).Never cross a solid line your on side of the lane or a double solid line, if the road seems empty of even approaching traffic. Do notget too close to vehicle you want to pass while you're the awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especiallyif you're following a larger vehicle. Also, you won't have adequate spaceif the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like a chance pass is coming up, start to accelerate but to stay in the right lane and don't get too close. Time move so you your will be increasingspeed as the time comes tomove into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, will have a "running start" that more you than makes up for the distance would lose by dropping back. And you if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need only slow down and drop backagain and wait for another opportunity. If other carsare lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care thatsomeone isn't trying to pass you as you pull out topass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance your shoulder and check over the blindspot. 0 0 0 0 4-11