Judgement (NS 4.1.2)

Overtaking on Single Carriageway Roads.

Overtaking is an inherently dangerous manoeuvre. Where there is not a multi-lane situation, it is even more so.

If you have answered “yes” to the safe, legal and necessary questions, the additional question you should ask yourself is “how much time will I gain if I overtake”.

For instance, consider you are following a car travelling at 35-40 mph in a national speed limit on an open road. You have vehicles following you. You have an obligation to pass the slow car in order to keep traffic flowing.

By overtaking there could also be a significant time gain when you reach your destination. However, if the same car was travelling at 50-55 ……………………………. (see Exercise 3)

Note: A vehicle travelling at 80mph (illegally) for one mile on a motorway compared to a vehicle travelling legally at 70mph will complete the mile six seconds ahead of the legally-driven vehicle.

Significant time gains are often exaggerated in the mind, but in reality, are unachievable.

Exercise 3: List 3 reasons why overtaking in this situation would not be safe
Complete in your workbook

Overtaking on Multi-Lane Roads (Dual Carriageways and Motorways).

Unless overtaking, you should drive in the left-hand lane on multi-lane roads. Lanes to the right of the left-hand lane are, therefore, strictly for overtaking. You should be checking well ahead and behind you to keep up-to date with:

• Who you might be overtaking shortly
• How the situation ahead might prevent a safe overtaking manoeuvre
• Who is about to overtake you.

In this way you can make an early assessment of your next overtaking manoeuvre and carry it out without compromising safety.

Be prepared to use the overtaking lane(s) whenever you see slower-moving vehicles ahead of you.  Take up an overtaking position in good time so that you do not become trapped to the left behind slow moving traffic.

When Meeting

A “meet” situation is where you meet oncoming traffic in a narrow gap and have decisions to make before you can proceed safely;

• Who has priority?
• Is it safe to proceed?
• Must I slow down or wait and give priority to oncoming traffic?

As an experienced driver it is assumed that you will be aware of the priority system. Basically, you must be prepared to give way if there is an obstruction on your side of the road and by passing it you would force oncoming vehicles to slow down and/or change direction.

Good forward observation and planning will prevent you becoming embroiled in a late decision about priority in a meet situation.

You must allow a 1-metre gap on both sides of your vehicle if you decide to proceed through a narrow gap. If you cannot give 1 metre of clearance, slow down to a safe speed, which will allow you to judge your road position and minimise risk.

Give priority to vehicles coming uphill especially LGVs irrespective of which side of the road the obstruction is on.

Remember, priority can only be given to you, it cannot be taken by you.

When Crossing Their Path.
(when turning right into a minor road).

This section has been covered previously under “Act properly at Road Junctions”. However, your judgement when crossing the path of oncoming, priority traffic must be near perfect.

Once again, the balance must be found between taking safe gaps, thus keeping traffic behind you moving, and dealing safely with other vehicles when crossing their path. However, if in doubt about the speed and likely intentions of oncoming traffic, give way or stop. If waiting, apply the parking brake once you have stopped.

A good yard stick to employ is if you would walk across the road (from left kerb to right kerb) before the oncoming traffic arrives, it should be safe to carry out the right turn.