What happened when I passed this car? Worried about driving...?

Question

I just got licensed and am still pretty nervous when driving . I am still not too comfortable in passing cars. Last week a car was going 55 in a 65 area, so when I felt safe I started to pass. Then before returning into the right lane I looked over my shoulder and the car I was passing looked pretty far. As I finish passing I look in my rear window and the car looks dangerously near, I really almost ***** my pants. What happened, perhaps the rear view mirror made the car look closer than it was? or did the car I was passing accelerate suddenly or perhaps I unknowingly slowed down and he catched up quickly. The driver did not honk or look at me bad when he passed me at the traffic light later into the city. Perhaps nothing really scary happened? I am scared of driving now as I think I may not be that great in judging distance.

Answer 1

You sound like I was.  I was terrified to drive, and even now I'm one of those drivers that overly cautious.  (It drives my husband nuts!)

The rule for changing lanes is to look over your shoulder just to make sure.  Don't trust the mirror because sometimes things get into your blind spot.  Just make sure you're clear in front when you do look over your shoulder--you don't want to rear-end someone or drift into another lane.  And yes, there have been times that I went to change lanes and couldn't see someone in the mirror, but when I actually looked, someone was there!

And yes, sometimes people do speed up or you might have slowed down.  Things also look smaller in mirrors than they really are.

Answer 2

the thing you need to do is, when you are passing a car, do not go back into the lane until you can see all of the car in the rearview miror. dont look over your shoulder to check!! just look in ur rearview mirror, if you can see all of the car at a safe distance away, then go back int othe lane! thats what i do. good luck!!! and idk why the car seemed so close, hmm... but ur probably a good driver!! you sound careful cautious and safe i would ride with u!!!!!  good luck!

help me too if you can!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 3

Probably the miror made the car look closer.  dont worry about it.  The more you worry the more likely something will happen

Have fun driving and stay safe :)

Answer 4

I don't know got sure how it is now, but I was taught to use  my rear view mirror to determine when I would be able to turn back into the right lane when passing.

Because when you can see the center of the grill in the (center) rear view mirror (when adjusted right) the car you are passing is at the safe following distance.

There is a time to not worry about it. I would rather do almost anything before  hitting another car (or truck) head on.

So you may not have been far enough ahead yet.  But he could of sped up, and yes you could have slowed down.

LIVE AND  LEARN.

Or as the "Hitchhiker Guide To The Galaxy" says-

"DON'T PANIC"

Answer 5

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Check your mirrors more regularly, every 3-5 seconds or more frequently if required.

Exterior mirrors are not flat, so be aware that vehicles appear further away than they actually are.

Sit in your car whilst stationary and glance every 3-5 seconds in your mirrors to get used to distance and movement. Do this as much as necessary to become familiar with what you are seeing.

DO CHECK to your right or left into YOUR BLIND SPOT before steering. NOT checking is DANGEROUS. The first answer is dangerous advice.

Please read the link below. It is full of useful advice from a Class 1 Driver, |said by many to be the highest level of public road driver training available anywhere in the world."

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