TIMING TO MAKE A PASS

With very early morning starts travelling to meet Drivers for a day of road safety and re-training, I am really amazed where drivers move out to overtake.

The major concern is are they really awake, many driving company cars complete with logos advertising their names, many taking very serious risks in planning a overtake.

We must always proceed with caution, if in doubt don’t overtake, we must assess the “what ifs” yes do everyone consider what if I get this wrong, or is it a case of there’s a gap, yes oncoming vehicle but should be able to make it..

On our roads there are few occasions where to overtake is really safe, that’s why we now see drivers using very little space to pass multiple lines of traffic.

As professional drivers you must forward plan really early, so many drivers do not look far enough ahead
and suddenly find themselves blocked behind a slow moving tractor or vehicle towing a caravan.

Do not close in close to the vehicle in front and start edging out to seek vision to pass, hold back from the target vehicle, if clear to do so move out into other carriageway to seek that overtaking vision and determine your point of decision where you will finish after the overtake.

But in modern day traffic, condensed traffic, be careful the driver behind you does not think you have taken advantage of a overtake.

It is so important you position correctly and on a national speed limit road, it depends on the speed of the vehicle in front,bearing in mind this is closer than a normal following position.

Now for the secret ( oh really mean your life saver ) DO NOT ACCELERATE keep at the same speed as the car you are following, IF YOU SEE AN ONCOMING CAR in the distance, don’t risk it just move back onto your side of road and at the same time your braking distance from the vehicle in front has not changed

When the oncoming car has passed again repeat the action move out in plenty of space to search out another overtake, perhaps we could call this the water ski action..

Doing this will allow you to gain full view of the road ahead, watch out for laybys where vehicles may be turning out, junctions etc. Please be mindful of this and adapt where necessary.

Planning, anticipation and restraint has the potential to make overtaking the most satisfying element of defensive progressive driving.

Always remember is there a real good reason to overtake, think of your passengers, and all other road users.

Many drivers ask about the double white lines in the centre of the road, where the line nearest to you is solid:

Ref Highway code 129 page 43

This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16km/h) or less.

So a good way to remember 10 mph

10 M Maintenance vehicle
   Pedal Cycle
H   Horse

So until the next time,  DRIVE SAFE and enjoy Overtaking when safe.

D.S.A. Registered Instructor, Awarded Highest Grade 6

NCN-B+E Towing Driving Test