Posted by Fleet Safety
Submitted by Tom Shindruk, Fleet Safety International classroom instructor
There are rules and laws regulating passing vehicles on our roadways. When passing on a two-lane highway you must be aware of the dangers that you could encounter.
On a two-lane road with one lane of traffic in each direction, passing another vehicle can be difficult and dangerous. Most errors in judgement are due to alcohol, fatigue, impatience, or other common causes. These errors can result in head-on crashes, which are often fatal and therefore passing should be done with extreme caution.
Here are some rules to follow when you want to pass another vehicle on a two-lane road;
1) Keep a safe following distance behind the vehicle you want to pass.
2) Do not pass if the way ahead is not clear and only if passing is permitted.
3) Always check your mirrors.
4) Shoulder check for vehicles which may be passing you in your blind spot.
5) Turn on your left turn signal.
6) Check again to ensure that the road ahead is clear before attempting to pass.
7) You must NOT exceed the speed limit when passing another vehicle.
8) Once the vehicle you have passed appears in your rear view mirror, do a shoulder check to the right.
9) Turn on your right turn signal.
10) Return to your proper lane position.
11) Remember to turn off your turn signal.
If someone is passing you on a two-lane roadway, you can assist the person passing you to do it safely by staying in your lane and even moving a little to the right. This gives the driver of the other vehicle a better view of the road ahead.
Be a SAFER Driver always.