Passing another vehicle on a two lane roadway can be one of the most dangerous movements in driving.
What Conditions Will Help You Decide if You Should or Should Not Pass
Before you pass another vehicle on a road with one lane of traffic in each direction, you need to know whether or not passing is legal. If passing is legal, you then need to decide if it makes sense to pass under existing traffic, weather, and road conditions. Finally, you need to decide if your speed, the speed of the car ahead of you, and the speed limit make it possible for you to pass safely.
- Road Signs and Pavement Markings
Warning signs and roadway markings will tell you if passing is allowed in the area in which you’re driving.
- Atmospheric Conditions
Bright sunlight, rain, snow, sleet, hail, and fog add to the anger of passing. If you’re driving under these conditions, it is wiser to slow down, proceed with caution, and avoid passing even if road signs and markings indicate that passing is allowed. Night time visibility and the condition of the road surface can also add to the danger of passing. If you can’t see ahead to the place where you will reenter the lane after passing, don’t attempt to pass. If the road surface seems rough or in poor condition, avoid passing.
Your Speed and the Other Vehicle’s Speed
As you approach a vehicle in front of you, not our speed. You may have to slow down to keep a margin of safety between your car and the vehicle ahead. You must also be aware of the speed limit on the roadway. You cannot legally exceed the speed limit to pass another vehicle.
How Do You Pass Another Vehicle?
Once you know it’s legal to pass and it makes sense to pass in the situation follow this procedure:
- Check the path ahead, the off road areas, behind you, and the lane you want to enter. Make sure no other vehicles are signaling to move into the lane. If you are on a two lane, two way road, check that there are no oncoming vehicles. If there are, make sure that they are far enough away to allow you to complete passing safely. If you have any doubt, don’t pass.
- If the way is clear, signal your intent to move left, flash your headlights, and use your turn signals.
- Check your left shoulder for cars in your blind spot. Adjust your speed upward as necessary, and steer smoothly into the passing lane. Use very slight controlled movement of the wheel.
- Accelerate firmly. If you’re on a road with a single lane in each direction, keep watching for oncoming traffic.
- Check your rearview mirror quickly. When you see both headlights of the vehicle you’ve passed in the mirror, signal your intent to return to the right lane and steer gradually in that direction. Turn off your signal and maintain an appropriate speed.
What Should You Do if You Are Being Passed?
Drivers of vehicles that are passing you assume the responsibility for their safety and yours, but you can often protect yourself and be of help to the passing driver. By regularly checking your side and rearview mirrors you can remain aware of the movement of vehicles behind you and alongside you. When you see that you’re being passed, stay to the right in your lane. Do not speed up, it is illegal to do so when you’re being passed.
Remain aware of the traffic situation around you. Sometimes a passing vehicle will decide to drop back rather than complete the pass. Don’t accelerate unless it is necessary to give the vehicle more room to get back behind you.