Safer Overtaking

Advanced driving is about planning, and never more so when we're talking about 'OVERTAKING'. ...

If an overtake is safe and you've catered for as many 'what if's ' as possible....then proceed with caution.  If there is an element of doubt...then don't proceed.

Overtaking multiple vehicles

Overtaking multiple vehicles is always with extreme caution as there are very few roads where it's possible with the amount of traffic flow (in the other direction)..also many vehicles are capable of double the national speed limit so there are few occasions nowadays where a law abiding driver has the chance to safely overtake.

However, there are times when on a clear and open NSL (national speed limit) road, there will be several vehicles well under the speed limit in front...perhaps wanting to pass a tractor or car towing a caravan...and they all don't feel they can achieve it safely ( for whatever reason)....Sometimes because drivers don't look far enough in the distance to 'plan' the overtake..

So if you've look far enough in the distance and are sure there are no cars oncoming that you are going to conflict with, no hidden dips where oncoming cars might be and no offside lay-bys or junctions on either side....you are confident of the performance of your vehicle....you have been watching the drivers in front and are aware of their vehicles and their potential intentions....and you also have somewhere to go if it starts to look 'close'....then........... overtake.

If the cars are spaced out enough for you to overtake one and have enough space (if needed) to move back (without causing the driver you've overtaken to brake)..treat each car as an overtake....ie: if there are 7 cars it's seven overtakes....

You don't have to keep moving back in, but could do if the need arises.

However, if the cars are bunched up together with no room to get back in....you have to treat the 7 cars as one overtake....imagine it as a huge long goods vehicles.....so if you don't have enough power in your car and road ahead to pass all of them safely in one go...then don't do it..

Positioning on the Road

You can do all of the above better by proper positioning.

The overtaking postiion should be entered into...which on a NSL road depends really on the speed of the vehicle in front....however, it's closer than a normal 'following position'...Then you need to move over the white lines and (if safe to do so)...sit in the opposite lane looking down the offside of the road and down the line of cars...

Here's the secret; DON'T ACCELERATE ..instead keep at the same speed as the car you are following....then if you see an oncoming vehicle in the distance....you can simply move back across onto your side of the road and your braking distance from the vehicle in front hasn't changed.  When the oncoming car has passed by, repeat the action, back onto the opposite side of the road...for another look.  Imagine it like water skiing....where the bloke on the skis never gains or drops back from the boat..the length of the road remains the same...

This will allow you a full view of the road ahead, the cars in the line and also for any other dangers; lay-bys, junctions etc and allow you to decide if the overtake is ON or OFF.

The associate problems with this are two fold.  One...oncoming cars in the distance might assume that you're overtaking...(when you're not)....and the car that you were following might assume the same and slow down....

You have to be mindful of this and adapt accordingly.

Overtaking can be one of the most satisfying aspects of advanced driving, but at the same time has the potential to be the most dangerous.  It's all about planning, anticipation and restraint....

Article By: Gary Garner, Class 1 Police Driver.