Loss of Control- Page 201

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Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while 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 vehicle
ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.

D

When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t
get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.

D

If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.

D

Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start 
your left lane change signal before moving out of the 
right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the 
passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, 
activate your right lane change signal and move back into 
the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror 
is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be 
farther away from you than it really is.)

D

Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time 
on two

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lane roads. Reconsider before passing the

next vehicle.

D

Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.

D

If you’re being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.

Loss of Control

Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.

In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.