Originally Posted by Lemond1985

Yes, I'm riding along and hear a car approaching. I hear the sound getting louder, and through the power of deduction, am able to surmise that it's probably getting closer, even though i can't see it. Just as the vehicle is about to overtake me, I will take a quick look back, like a pitcher monitoring a runner on 2nd base.

I note lane position, speed, and line of travel, and give the vehicle an unconscious "concern" quotient based on its appearance and how loud it is. At this point, I still have a second or so to react if any potential problem is detected. That might mean moving over a little, or it might mean exiting the pavement.

So yes, it is possible to react to potentially dangerous passes if you decide to stay alert. But unfortunately, it's probably not possible to react if a person decides not to stay alert (i.e., headphones).