4-14 Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to passwhile you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,following too closely reduces your area of vision,especially if you’re following a larger vehicle.Also, you won’t 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 don’tget too close. Time your move so you will beincreasing speed as the time comes to move into theother lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a“running start” that more than makes up for thedistance you would lose by dropping back. And ifsomething happens to cause you to cancel your pass,you need only slow down and drop back again andwait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, waityour turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying topass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.Remember to glance over your shoulder and checkthe blind spot. Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, andstart your left lane change signal before moving outof the right lane to pass.When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicleto see its front in your inside mirror, activate yourright lane change signal and move back into the rightlane. (Remember that your right outside mirror isconvex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to befarther away from you than it really is.) Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a timeon two- lane roads. Reconsider before passing thenext vehicle. Don’t 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’re being passed, make it easy for thefollowing driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps youcan ease a little to the right.Loss of ControlLet’s review what driving experts say about whathappens when the three control systems (brakes, steeringand acceleration) don’t have enough friction where thetires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying tosteer and constantly seek an escape route or areaof less danger.
