Final answer:
When passing another vehicle at 55 mph, a driver needs a clear road of about 1/4 mile to safely overtake, accelerating to 60 mph and ensuring enough space to accelerate, pass, and safely return to their lane.
Step-by-step explanation:
To safely pass another vehicle while you are driving at 55 mph, you need to consider several factors, including the speed of the vehicle you're passing, the distance required to pass safely, and the time needed to complete the maneuver. In general, you should ensure you have enough clear road ahead to safely pass and merge back into your lane without causing the other driver to slow down. According to safe passing laws, the recommended distance to overtake another vehicle requires approximately 10 seconds, which translates to roughly 1/4 of a mile (or about 400 meters) of clear road at highway speeds. This distance allows you enough space to accelerate, pass the vehicle, and return to your lane at a safe distance ahead of the car you've passed. For a quick acceleration to overtake, you may press harder on the accelerator pedal until the velocity reaches the speed of 60 mph and record the distance this takes to ensure you have enough road to safely complete the maneuver.