• Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to passwhile you are awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,following too closely reduces your area of vision,especially if you are following a larger vehicle. Also,you will not have adequate space if the vehicleahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back areasonable distance.• When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and donot get too close. Time your move so you will beincreasing speed as the time comes to move intothe other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you willhave a running start that more than makes up for thedistance you would lose by dropping back. And ifsomething happens to cause you to cancel yourpass, you need only slow down and drop back againand wait for another opportunity.• If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow vehicle,wait your turn. But take care that someone is nottrying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slowvehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulderand check the blind spot.• Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance over yourshoulder, and start your left lane change signalbefore moving out of the right lane to pass.When you are far enough ahead of the passedvehicle to see its front in your vehicle’s inside mirror,activate the right lane change signal and move backinto the right lane. Remember that your vehicle’spassenger side outside mirror is convex. The vehicleyou just passed may seem to be farther away fromyou than it really is.• Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time ontwo-lane roads. Reconsider before passing thenext vehicle.• Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it maybe slowing down or starting to turn.• If you are being passed, make it easy for thefollowing driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps youcan ease a little to the right.Loss of ControlLet us review what driving experts say about whathappens when the three control systems — brakes,steering, and acceleration — do not have enoughfriction where the tires meet the road to do what thedriver has asked.In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying tosteer and constantly seek an escape route or areaof less danger.4-17
