LOW RISK DRIVING

View animation here > Overtaking and safe following distance.

D.32 OVERTAKING - A risky undertaking

Correct overtaking is one of those skills that receive very little practice, whilst learning to drive. Usually the learner driver is the one being overtaken. One mistake in this complex manoeuvre and a head-on-collision is a real possibility.
Overtaking is dangerous, because you are driving on the wrong side of the road for extended periods.
Before deciding to overtake ask yourself three questions.

1. Is it really necessary?
Why try to overtake, when you are about to turn or have nearly arrived at your destination?
Cyclists are particularly prone to being overtaken, then being cut off by motorists, who are turning left. How often do we catch up with a driver, who only moments earlier took a great risk to overtake us?

2. Is it legal?

It is not legal to overtake...
1. If you have to break the speed limit to do so!
2. If you have to cross barrier lines (double centre lines).

3. Over an unbroken line or when the unbroken line is on your side....

4. If a sign says: 'No overtaking' (usually at road works).

3. Is it safe?

Before taking

the risk, ask yourself:
How far can you see ahead?
Are there blind entry points, e.g. intersections, T-junctions, driveways or any other hazards ahead, eg. School or pedestrian crossings traffic lights, traffic islands etc?

Any hills or crests ahead? (Uphill your car may lose speed suddenly)

Is there enough space to cross safely back to your side?

If there is any doubt in your mind - HOLDING BACK IS SAFER !

NEVER overtake... behind another vehicle that is overtaking ahead of you!

NEVER overtake... without checking if someone is already overtaking you!

NEVER overtake... without giving the vehicle ahead first option to overtake!

NEVER overtake... unless you intend to travel faster than the vehicle ahead.

How to overtake:

1. Check mirrors and blind-spot, if somebody is overtaking you.

2. When safe, indicate right and move out without any great acceleration yet. (In the example above, the van can change his mind and slip back behind the truck. Under sharp acceleration, this is not easily possible.

3. When an uninterrupted view is obtained and it is safe to overtake accelerate briskly.

4. Indicate left and move back to your side gradually. Normally, when the front of the vehicle you just overtook appears in your rear-view mirror, move back over. This allows for a safety margin.

<<< Expect the unexpected.

When the van driver first decided to overtake the road looked clear ahead. Suddenly a vehicle appeared from a driveway behind the building.

Expect traffic from side roads, driveways, around bends or over crests.

Careless OVER-TAKERS have a date with the UNDERTAKER !