TALES FROM THE TRAILS

Safe Passing Techniques

I’m sure we have all witnessed our share of unsafe passing techniques whether by a fellow motorcycle rider or someone in a car. Passing another vehicle in and of itself does have to be a dangerous event if certain precautions are followed. This months article addresses those precautions that should always be followed to ensure safe passing techniques.

Assume you are cruising at the speed limit on a two-lane road and you come upon a slower moving vehicle. A decision to pass or not to pass must be made using the SEE (Search, Evaluate & Execute) process.

q Search & Evaluate

Ø Is it legal to pass

Ø Is there oncoming traffic that precludes a safe passing situation

Ø Are there driveways or intersections ahead that other vehicles could suddenly enter and block your passing lane

Ø Is downrange visibility sufficient

Ø Are the road surface conditions good (i.e. free from debris, potholes, standing water, etc)

Once a determination is made that it is safe to pass, it is time to execute the pass. Never try to pass more than one vehicle at a time. Other vehicles in line may also be contemplating a pass and hence turn in front of you.

q Execute

Ø Keep an appropriate following distance (2 seconds) behind the vehicle to be passed and move to the left hand third of the lane

Ø When oncoming traffic permits, signal a lane change (both hand and turn signals)

Ø Check your mirrors and blind spot with a “head check”

Ø Accelerate smoothly and change lanes, selecting a lane position that allows maneuvering time and space from the vehicle being passed

Ø If there is oncoming traffic ahead, do not “fixate on the vehicle” but focus on safely completing the pass

Ø Once well past the vehicle…signal, check your mirrors and do a “head check” to ensure there is sufficient distance ahead of the vehicle passed

Ø Return to a good lane position and cancel your turn signal

When riding in a group formation, the above procedures are basically the same. Each rider in succession determines when it is safe to pass (i.e., “ride your own ride”). One rider at a time passes and continues to distance themselves from the passed vehicle to ensure there is sufficient space for the following riders to enter back into the lane. Anyone who has been in the back of a group that is passing knows how unsettling it is to be in the process of passing only to find out there is no room left in the front of the passed vehicle to safely re-enter the lane. Not a very good feeling to be hung out there with nowhere to go!

Ride Safe & Have Fun