What is a major danger of passing another vehicle?

Passing another vehicle presents several risks, with the potential for head-on collisions being the most significant. When a driver decides to pass, they must move into the opposing lane, which often involves a critical judgment of distance, speed, and awareness of oncoming traffic. If a driver miscalculates these factors or if the opposing vehicle is closer than anticipated, this can lead to a dangerous situation and potentially a head-on collision. Such collisions are severe due to the combined speeds of both vehicles, which can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

While passing can also contribute to increased fuel consumption, longer maneuver times, and disruptions in traffic flow, these are less immediate dangers compared to the severe consequences of colliding head-on with an oncoming vehicle. Thus, understanding the risks involved in passing, particularly the possibility of collisions, is crucial for safe driving practices.