How to determine when it's safe to pass

Passing in the lane of oncoming traffic is common but not always safe and must be done cautiously. It becomes a danger because we don’t judge distance every well. The problem is two fold. It’s hard to tell how long it’s going to take to accelerate to get past the car we’re trying to pass and it’s hard to tell how close the car is in the oncoming lane and how fast that car is travelling toward you. It’s risky business because drivers have a hard time judging that dynamic movement.

If you do plan to pass keep this in mind. An oncoming car or truck does not appear to be traveling as fast as it is. If an oncoming car is far enough away that it does not seem to be moving at all, then it is generally far enough away for you to safely make your pass but if you can see that oncoming car as moving then it’s a different story.

There are other times that it is not safe to pass. If your view is blocked by either a hill or curve, don’t pass. Assume that there is an oncoming car just out of sight. Avoid passing at intersections this includes intersecting roads, railroad crossings, and entrances to shopping centers. If you are on a two lane road pass only in the left. It is dangerous and usually illegal to pass on the right. The exception is when the car ahead of you signals to make a left turn. If the car ahead of you is stopped to make a left hand turn, never pass to his left. Instead, you may pass to the right on the shoulder.