A Comprehensive Guide to Overtaking Safely on the Road

What do you do when driving on the road and in a hurry to reach your destination but the vehicles in front of you move too slowly? Overtaking the car in front of you to get ahead is one of the options. However, overtaking is a risky endeavour with many rules and restrictions surrounding it.

Among the many different skills in driving, overtaking is one of the riskiest. Driving schools always focus on overtaking, parking, and roundabout navigation as important driving techniques in their driving lessons.

Instructors also try to ensure learners get enough practice of this skill to minimize risks. Overtaking is an important technique for drivers. It requires focus, awareness, proper planning, good judgment, and skilful execution.

Ensuring the safety of everyone on the road is paramount while attempting to overtake another vehicle. In this post, we will look at how overtaking a vehicle works, the rules involved, and what mistakes to avoid when attempting it.

Steps to Overtake Safely

Overtaking is risky and has some rules associated with it. No matter where you are in Australia, overtaking is always done on the right. However, you can also overtake from the left on some special occasions like when you’re driving on a multi-lane road, etc.

Rules for Overtaking:

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• You must have a clear view of the approaching traffic to attempt overtaking.

• You must ensure you have enough space to overtake safely.

• You must signal other drivers before you start overtaking.

• Roads have a legal speed limit for overtaking. Make sure you follow the speed rules and never exceed the speed limits.

Avoid Overtaking When:

• Another vehicle waiting or stopping at a pedestrian crossing, intersection, or railway crossing.

• You face a crest, curve, or any situation that limits visibility.

• If the road you’re driving on narrows down further ahead.

• If you notice a sign that prohibits overtaking.

Now that we know when to attempt an overtake and when to avoid it, let us take a look at the steps you need to follow to overtake a vehicle:

1. Overtake Only if Necessary:

Overtaking requires the driver to have good judgment of distance and control over their vehicle. It also requires proper visibility and a clear view of the approaching traffic. Hence, drivers should only attempt overtaking when it is absolutely essential to do so. When attempting to overtake, the first step is to ensure that the road is dry and you have proper visibility. You should also stay under the speed limit and not exceed it.

2. Assess the Traffic Around You:

Before you try to overtake the vehicle ahead, you must have a good grasp of the traffic and road conditions around you. So, the second step is to assess the traffic. You can check the blind spots using rear-view mirrors and side mirrors to check the traffic. You can also use mirrors to check for approaching vehicles or oncoming traffic. Once you’re sure there’s no oncoming traffic, you can try to overtake.

3. Inform Others of Your Intentions Early:

Overtaking involves changing lanes and bypassing other vehicles. So, if you want to overtake, you must inform other drivers of your objective before initiating it. The third step is using the car’s lights to signal your intention to change lanes for overtaking. Other than lights, you can also use horns to alert others on the road.

4. Overtake Smoothly:

The next step is to overtake the vehicle in front by changing your lane. When overtaking, increase your speed a little so that you can go ahead of the car quickly. You must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front when trying to overtake it. Trust your driving abilities and try to make the entire process smooth so that others on the road are not affected.

5. Return to Your Lane:

Once you’ve steered ahead of the vehicle you’re overtaking, make sure there’s enough distance behind you before attempting to return to your previous lane. After making sure that there is ample space, again indicate your intention to change the lane. Return your vehicle to the previous lane slowly and gradually. Avoid making any sudden movements so that you don’t startle others on the road.

Following these steps helps to make the process of overtaking as smooth as possible.

Special Situations:

In some special situations, you must be extra careful when overtaking a vehicle. When you’re overtaking cyclists, it’s not the same as overtaking a car. You should give them at least 1.5 meters of space when overtaking. Driving in rain or fog is already tough. But if you want to attempt overtaking in such conditions, you must be extra cautious. Only try overtaking if you have proper visibility and are confident about judging the distance and space accurately. Driving at night also poses some challenges like low visibility. You should stay vary of oncoming headlights when attempting to overtake at night.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Most drivers make simple mistakes when overtaking which increases the risk of accident on the road. Some of these mistakes that drivers should avoid include overtaking on curves, especially ones with limited visibility. This is very risky and should only be attempted if you have good visibility. Another mistake is trying to overtake multiple vehicles at once. This can be tricky and confusing for others on the road and increases the risk of accidents. Drivers should pay attention to the road signs and follow the road rules when overtaking. If you notice a sign that prohibits overtaking, you must heed it and avoid overtaking on that road.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of safe overtaking is essential for ensuring both your safety and that of others on the road. By understanding the rules of the road, recognising the appropriate conditions for overtaking, and utilising proper signalling and positioning, drivers can significantly reduce the risks associated with this critical manoeuvre. If you’re a learner, make sure your driving school covers the topic of safety in overtaking techniques during your driving lessons.

Reputed driving schools like Onroad Driving Education ensure their students are skilled in overtaking and well aware of the rules associated with it. Drivers should stay aware and patient, and communicate clearly to navigate overtaking situations confidently. By following these guidelines, you contribute to a safer driving environment for everyone, fostering responsible road use and enhancing overall traffic safety. Remember, safety should always be your top priority when making any overtaking decision.

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