There are lots of maneuvers that can be dicey when you are behind the wheel in Indiana or someplace else. One of them is passing another motor vehicle. You are increasing your speed, momentarily entering the opposite lane of what is probably a two-lane road, zooming past the other vehicle and then returning to your original travel lane. All this activity takes place in mere seconds.
When all goes well, you have successfully made your move past a sluggish vehicle that was in front of you. When something goes wrong, you may be in danger of causing or being involved in a crash. That outcome is definitely not the one you want.
Sometimes motorists assume they know the correct way to handle routine maneuvers like passing. They don’t realize they are doing something incorrectly until they get in trouble on the road. Learning the right way to execute a maneuver such as passing can save you plenty of headaches in the future — and prevent potential injuries.
How to pass another car properly
No matter how long you have been driving, it never hurts to brush up on your skills. The suggestions below merit reviewing:
- Check before you attempt to pass to be absolutely sure that it is alright to do so. Is passing “both legal and safe” where you are located?
- Let other motorists, especially the one directly in front, know what you aim to do by using your left-turn signal.
- Take into account your own blind spots and those of the vehicle you intend to pass.
- When you have passed the vehicle in front of you, let them know you will be returning to your original travel lane by using your right-turn signal.
Remember that there might be vehicles that want to pass you, too. Always permit them to do it. Don’t deliberately speed up to interfere with them.
When drivers flout the rules of the road
You might be the victim of a careless driver, despite your best efforts. If that happens, find out about getting compensation for your injuries or car damage.