What speed should you drive when passing another vehicle on the highway?

When passing another vehicle on the highway, the recommended practice is to accelerate safely to complete the pass and return to your lane as quickly as possible. This approach ensures that you can overtake the other vehicle efficiently while minimizing the time you occupy the opposing lane, reducing the risk of collisions and enhancing overall road safety.

Accelerating allows you to match or exceed the speed of the vehicle you are passing, which is crucial for safely maneuvering back into your lane after the pass is complete. This strategy helps to maintain traffic flow and prevents potential bottlenecks on the highway.

Choosing the same speed as the vehicle you are passing may not allow for a swift pass, increasing the time spent in the opposing lane, which could pose a danger to you and to oncoming traffic. Additionally, maintaining a slower speed while passing is typically ineffective, as it can create a hazardous situation for both yourself and other vehicles on the road. Driving as fast as possible without exceeding the speed limit could also lead to reckless behavior, which is contrary to safe driving practices.