Overtaking / following position question

[The Black Flash]

I've posted this as a new topic because the other overtaking topic had got rather hijacked.
Anyway, this occurred to me the other day and I wondered what the consenus is; I know what I do in this situation, but I'm interested in what other people think because it is a case when practical considerations seem to blur the purist approach.

Situation: you're in a line of traffic behind a slow vehicle, looking to overtake. A right hand bend is comming up, so according to Reg's post, you move nearside to afford a better view around the corner. All good so far.
The problem is that this move to the nearside can be interpreted as "please go past me" body language (car language?) by the car following you. (Indeed, I tend to tuck in if I'm in a stream of traffic and not wanting to press on, but I can see that the guy behind me does.)
This of course raises the danger that the guy following you will see you move left, think you're letting him go, and pull out, just when you are wanting to do the same thing - obviously a danger.

So is it best to stay offside, so that your intention to overtake is clear to those following you, but in the process reducing your view of the road; or go for the best view, and risk the guy behind pulling out at the same time as you do?

[OSGrooves]

This happens to me on my route home quite a lot.

You should make your intentions clear at all times. There is no problem pulling to the nearside on the approach to the corner. The person behind you is not going to be able to overtake before you as your view of the empty road will appear before theirs.

Since you should always check your mirror before you pull out, you then have the chance to cancel the manouver if they have gone a bit banzai and stuck it down the outside. You should then be able to just 'relax' back into the follow position and look for another overtaking opportunity.

So to clarify:

1. Don't dawdle, once you have seen the road is clear then commit to the overtake. This will give a clear message to the person behind.
2. Check your mirror incase the person following you is a nutter.

[WhoseGeneration]

OSGrooves said:

Check your mirror incase the person following you is a nutter.

Or, one from further back, as has happened to me from time to time.
Especially as I do the 2 second thing in those snakes, in which most are not so.
The first vehicle up the backside of the slow one, affording no view to them whatsoever.
So, it's me who has to nearside as they need a safe haven to abort into.
I'm just fed up with it.
Train the bastards better.

[henrycrun]

I feel that in all overtaking situations using your indicators is essential to let everyone know your intentions. If you have to abort then cancel the signal. Mind you having the stalk on the wrong side for UK cars doesn't help but thats another issue

Edited by henrycrun on Tuesday 6th November 18:41

[The Black Flash]

Interesting. I've tended to be of the "stay offside" pursuasion, as I figure that the opportunities I might loose by the more limited view are probably few (if it's so tight that I need that extra second to get through, I probably wouldn't risk the overtake anyway). I'd rather miss the odd opportunity than have someone in my blind spot at the point I'm trying to make my move.

[7db]

henrycrun said:

I feel that in all overtaking situations using your indicators is essential to let everyone know your intentions. If you have to abort then cancel the signal. Mind you having the stalk on the wrong side for UK cars doesn't help but thats another issue

Edited by henrycrun on Tuesday 6th November 18:41

do you indicate out and back in again if you move offside for a look and abandon?

I nearly never find it necessary to indicate on an overtake, except sometimes a headlamp flash for the target.

[7db]

BF - on your original question, why not shape your speed through the bend more -- ie slow slightly and power through the bend with a nearside position, so executing a slow catch through the corner of the target and opening a gap between you and your tail. (Both of them are likely to have a slightly slowing speed through the bend). Thus when the view opens enough to sit offside at the start of the straight, you will have some catching speed as well as space to manoeuvre?

Happy hunting.

[Yung Man]

The Black Flash said:

Interesting. I've tended to be of the "stay offside" pursuasion, as I figure that the opportunities I might loose by the more limited view are probably few (if it's so tight that I need that extra second to get through, I probably wouldn't risk the overtake anyway). I'd rather miss the odd opportunity than have someone in my blind spot at the point I'm trying to make my move.

Spot on.

[TripleS]

7db said:

BF - on your original question, why not shape your speed through the bend more -- ie slow slightly and power through the bend with a nearside position, so executing a slow catch through the corner of the target and opening a gap between you and your tail. (Both of them are likely to have a slightly slowing speed through the bend). Thus when the view opens enough to sit offside at the start of the straight, you will have some catching speed as well as space to manoeuvre?

Yes, I think that sounds like a good ploy, but of course do be wary of taking the momentum overtaking technique to extremes, cos somebody might turn up here with some calculations to show how dodgy that can be.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[7db]

Dave - there's a difference between slight lateral and longitudinal positioning in and around the following position, and a full-bore committal to pass.

[TripleS]

7db said:

Dave - there's a difference between slight lateral and longitudinal positioning in and around the following position, and a full-bore committal to pass.

Quite so, but you also appeared to be venturing into speed differential territory immediately prior to an overtake, and I wouldn't want us to get carried away.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[7db]

I think it's helpful to have a small close prior to the overtake, but it's a style thing and as much as anything a trigger movement.

You've seen me overtake, and decline overtakes. I don't recall our rushing headlong in...but I do blank out the worst bits.

[The Black Flash]

7db said:

BF - on your original question, why not shape your speed through the bend more -- ie slow slightly and power through the bend with a nearside position, so executing a slow catch through the corner of the target and opening a gap between you and your tail. (Both of them are likely to have a slightly slowing speed through the bend). Thus when the view opens enough to sit offside at the start of the straight, you will have some catching speed as well as space to manoeuvre?

Happy hunting.

Sounds logical. I suppose the simple answer is, "because it's harder"