When passing another vehicle, what must you do first?

Before passing another vehicle, it is crucial to look ahead for road conditions and traffic. This step allows you to assess not just the immediate situation but also what is coming ahead. By looking ahead, you can identify whether the lane where you intend to pass is clear and safe, check for potential hazards (like oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or obstacles), and determine if there is enough distance to complete the maneuver safely. This proactive approach helps to prevent accidents and ensures that you are fully aware of the driving environment before committing to a passing action.

While checking mirrors is important for awareness of surrounding vehicles, and signaling your intention to pass is a necessary communication to other drivers, these actions are secondary to having a clear understanding of the road ahead. Accelerating quickly is not advisable until it is established that it is safe to pass; rushing the process can lead to dangerous situations. Therefore, assessing road conditions and traffic must take precedence.