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Difficulty: MediumPassing, Overtaking, and Lane Changing Rules

A driver traveling on a two-lane highway intends to pass a slower vehicle ahead. In what correct chronological order should the driver perform the following steps to complete a safe and legal passing maneuver?

  1. 1Assess traffic conditions ahead and behind, ensuring pavement markings permit passing and the line of sight is clear.
  2. 2Turn on the left turn signal to communicate intention to surrounding drivers.
  3. 3Check the left side-view mirror and glance over the left shoulder into the blind spot.
  4. 4Steer smoothly into the opposing lane and accelerate past the slower vehicle.
  5. 5Check the interior rearview mirror until both headlights of the passed vehicle are visible, signal right, check the right blind spot, and return to the right lane.

Answer

The proper passing sequence begins with assessing traffic and road markings, followed by signaling left, checking the left mirror and shoulder blind spot, steering into the passing lane to overtake, and finally checking the inside rearview mirror for both headlights of the passed vehicle before signaling right and returning to the original lane.
Safe driving rules mandate a structured sequence: verify conditions and road markings first, signal intent to alert others, physically check mirrors and shoulder blind spots, complete the pass, and confirm clear space via the interior rearview mirror before returning to the original lane.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Scan ahead and behind for safety and check road markings.
Confirms passing is permitted (broken yellow line) and oncoming traffic is sufficiently far away.
A driver must never attempt to pass without first establishing that it is legal and safe to do so.
2
Activate the left turn signal.
Intention to move into the left lane is communicated to nearby traffic.
Signals must be given in advance of any directional change.
3
Check the left mirror and look over the left shoulder.
Ensures no vehicle is approaching from behind in the left lane.
Mirrors alone do not cover blind spots, requiring a shoulder glance before changing lanes.
4
Move into the left lane and accelerate past the lead vehicle.
The driver overtakes the slower vehicle while maintaining control.
The physical maneuver is executed only after all observational checks pass.
5
Confirm space in rearview mirror, signal right, check right shoulder, and re-enter lane.
The driver completes the pass with safe clearance.
Seeing both headlights of the passed vehicle in the rearview mirror guarantees sufficient distance so as not to cut off the passed driver.

Key Concept

Standard Safe Passing Sequence on Two-Lane Highways
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Topics

Passing, Overtaking, and Lane Changing Rules

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