Multiple overtakes?
Discussion
i don't think there is a "limit" as such, but one would ask what kind of performance is required to overtake 20+ cars at once.
that and teh safety factor - if you're caught out on the "wrong side" and you've got a line of cars that you're overtaking. you're
ed.
so from the safety standpoint, i wouldn't be looking for 20+ car overtakes on A/B roads.
motorways/dual carrageways are different things.
that and teh safety factor - if you're caught out on the "wrong side" and you've got a line of cars that you're overtaking. you're
ed.so from the safety standpoint, i wouldn't be looking for 20+ car overtakes on A/B roads.
motorways/dual carrageways are different things.
Howitzer said:
I'm not sure if this has been asked before but it may be a part of the law that is a bit grey.
Is there a limit on cars you can overtake on a single carrigeway?
Presuming it was done safely then would there be a problem with overtaking say 20 cars at once?
Dave!
No.Is there a limit on cars you can overtake on a single carrigeway?
Presuming it was done safely then would there be a problem with overtaking say 20 cars at once?
Dave!
But to be honest it's extremely rare that you would be able to pass anything like that in one go without passing entrances etc. If you do pass any entrances & there is no lateral vision (even driveways to houses etc) there is risk that circumstances will change & you could be caught out by that change. It is probably more likely that in such circumstances it is the change from a lateral position that is not considered fully, it's not after all only about how far ahead you can see. Twenty is an awfully long time offside for things to change, or an awful lot of acceleration/differential being carried into that situation to try & minimize that time offside.
If you are to pass that number you have to be sure, start to finish, that nothing is going to change & remember that you should be banking on being back on your side of the road in well under 1/2 the distance you can see to be clear ahead.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 5th August 09:30
vonhosen said:
Howitzer said:
I'm not sure if this has been asked before but it may be a part of the law that is a bit grey.
Is there a limit on cars you can overtake on a single carrigeway?
Presuming it was done safely then would there be a problem with overtaking say 20 cars at once?
Dave!
No.Is there a limit on cars you can overtake on a single carrigeway?
Presuming it was done safely then would there be a problem with overtaking say 20 cars at once?
Dave!
But to be honest it's extremely rare that you would be able to pass anything like that in one go without passing entrances etc. If you do pass any entrances & there is no lateral vision (even driveways to houses etc) there is risk that circumstances will change & you could be caught out by that change. It is probably more likely that in such circumstances it is the change from a lateral position that is not considered fully, it's not after all only about how far ahead you can see. Twenty is an awfully long time offside for things to change, or an awful lot of acceleration/differential being carried into that situation to try & minimize that time offside.
If you are to pass that number you have to be sure, start to finish, that nothing is going to change & remember that you should be banking on being back on your side of the road in well under 1/2 the distance you can see to be clear ahead.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 5th August 09:30
I think it would have to be a very long straight road/no junctions/curves etc
Not come across that many anywhere - not even in France
. Personally I would not consider it. Too many variables and the danger that a "resentful" overtakee might decide to accelerate to close any gap which you might need here.
In some parts of Sicily they have what are essentially single carriageway motorways - ie well designed junctions and very straight.
We'd hired an Alfa 156, and at one point I overtook 2 artics, 1 coach and around 3 or 4 cars in one go. However there were a couple of spaces to pull in during the manouvre, but as the visibility remained excellent with no oncoming traffic, I pushed on.
The knowledge that there was no threat to my driving licence from cameras in bushes trying to catch me in the act of overtaking in a safe manner meant I didn't have to consider overtaking on bends instead!
We'd hired an Alfa 156, and at one point I overtook 2 artics, 1 coach and around 3 or 4 cars in one go. However there were a couple of spaces to pull in during the manouvre, but as the visibility remained excellent with no oncoming traffic, I pushed on.
The knowledge that there was no threat to my driving licence from cameras in bushes trying to catch me in the act of overtaking in a safe manner meant I didn't have to consider overtaking on bends instead!
I've passed about 8 or 10 cars in one go before. I overtook a pair and then being on the other side of the road enabled me to see further than I could before and it showed the way was clear even further up the road.
I agree its doubtful that I would be in a position to safely overtake 20 or so cars at once, but its nice to know I wont have my wrist slapped if one day the heavens shine on me and make it possible haha
Dave!
I agree its doubtful that I would be in a position to safely overtake 20 or so cars at once, but its nice to know I wont have my wrist slapped if one day the heavens shine on me and make it possible haha
Dave!
Glassman said:
You must do at least three in every go. For the ones you don't, you must carry these forward for your next attempt.
A minimum of five is respectable. 8+ is admirable; 12 and above: inspirational. More than 15: legendary.
Is that a dare? A minimum of five is respectable. 8+ is admirable; 12 and above: inspirational. More than 15: legendary.
In one of his posts on training police drivers R_U_L mentioned (I think) a 30+ vehicle overtake. I may be wrong on the correct number but it was still impressive.
Reg?
I think we are talking about different things here.
You might pass 20 cars in one go for arguments sake (although again it's still going to be rare) , but they are effectively a series of lesser number overtakes, such as doing 4 (safe gap at 4) staying out I can do another 3 (obviously another safe gap after 3) etc etc.
But you are always identifying the next safe gap & stating that you have the vision to be sure that you can make that gap safely & circumstances shouldn't be changing to stop that. You should identify the next gap (& it be suitable, i.e. sociable) before you commit.
Stating from the outset that you intend to do 20, no safe identified suitable gap other than at the front of those 20, is an entirely different prospect.
I personally don't view the former as a 20 car overtake, but instead as a linked series of lesser number overtakes.
You might pass 20 cars in one go for arguments sake (although again it's still going to be rare) , but they are effectively a series of lesser number overtakes, such as doing 4 (safe gap at 4) staying out I can do another 3 (obviously another safe gap after 3) etc etc.
But you are always identifying the next safe gap & stating that you have the vision to be sure that you can make that gap safely & circumstances shouldn't be changing to stop that. You should identify the next gap (& it be suitable, i.e. sociable) before you commit.
Stating from the outset that you intend to do 20, no safe identified suitable gap other than at the front of those 20, is an entirely different prospect.
I personally don't view the former as a 20 car overtake, but instead as a linked series of lesser number overtakes.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 5th August 10:49
There is a road near me on the way to work which is a single carrageway NSL 60 limit, with no turnings off on a 1 mile stretch and its totally straight.
Very often lorries use this road, and there are cars that will not over take them even though it is **laughably** safe to do so.
I quite regularly overtake 3 to 4 cars in a go on that road, and quite often I get other cars suddenly "get an idea" and I see them also starting to overtake after I have passed
Totally safe IMO in the right circumstances.
Very often lorries use this road, and there are cars that will not over take them even though it is **laughably** safe to do so.
I quite regularly overtake 3 to 4 cars in a go on that road, and quite often I get other cars suddenly "get an idea" and I see them also starting to overtake after I have passed
Totally safe IMO in the right circumstances.
vonhosen said:
I think we are talking about different things here.
You might pass 20 cars in one go for arguments sake (although again it's still going to be rare) , but they are effectively a series of lesser number overtakes, such as doing 4 (safe gap at 4) staying out I can do another 3 (obviously another safe gap after 3) etc etc.
But you are always identifying the next safe gap & stating that you have the vision to be sure that you can make that gap safely & circumstances shouldn't be changing to stop that. You should identify the next gap (& it be suitable, i.e. sociable) before you commit.
Stating from the outset that you intend to do 20, no safe identified suitable gap other than at the front of those 20, is an entirely different prospect.
I personally don't view the former as a 20 car overtake, but instead as a linked series of lesser number overtakes.
What he said.You might pass 20 cars in one go for arguments sake (although again it's still going to be rare) , but they are effectively a series of lesser number overtakes, such as doing 4 (safe gap at 4) staying out I can do another 3 (obviously another safe gap after 3) etc etc.
But you are always identifying the next safe gap & stating that you have the vision to be sure that you can make that gap safely & circumstances shouldn't be changing to stop that. You should identify the next gap (& it be suitable, i.e. sociable) before you commit.
Stating from the outset that you intend to do 20, no safe identified suitable gap other than at the front of those 20, is an entirely different prospect.
I personally don't view the former as a 20 car overtake, but instead as a linked series of lesser number overtakes.
The chance's of deciding to over take 20 cars from the word go, are none existant.
I don't think I've ever seen a road in the UK which is a single lane where you can overtake 20 cars safely. There is a nice one in Norfolk between Diss and Norwich where you could consider 5-6 cars quite confortably though, mainly because there are so many old gits driving it at 40mph....
Acle straight in Norfolk is 6ish miles of flat straight road. You can go for some big overtakes and move your pulling in space further down the line as you're in the offside lane. Only problem is keeping your speed down so as to avoid any overtakees that decide to overtake as you're passing them.
Flintstone said:
Glassman said:
You must do at least three in every go. For the ones you don't, you must carry these forward for your next attempt.
A minimum of five is respectable. 8+ is admirable; 12 and above: inspirational. More than 15: legendary.
Is that a dare? A minimum of five is respectable. 8+ is admirable; 12 and above: inspirational. More than 15: legendary.
In one of his posts on training police drivers R_U_L mentioned (I think) a 30+ vehicle overtake. I may be wrong on the correct number but it was still impressive.
Reg?
It was exceptional circumstances though - a long line of dozy drivers sitting behind a slow HGV on the A59 going up towards Blubberhouses. It's a high moorland road with no junctions and a clear view of over a mile.
The trick with multiple vehicle overtakes it to mentally treat each vehicle as a seperate overtake. Out for one - what about the next one? Yes? What about the next one? Etc, etc. I don't mean that you should return to the nearside between each vehicle, but you've got to be ready to, if the information changes. Don't keep accelerating, but accelerate up to a speed where you'd still be able to react if one of the cars in front suddenly realises the overtake is on for them.
So, you wouldn't move out for a seven vehicle overtake, you'd move out for seven one vehicle overtakes, one after the other.
vonhosen said:
I think we are talking about different things here.
You might pass 20 cars in one go for arguments sake (although again it's still going to be rare) , but they are effectively a series of lesser number overtakes, such as doing 4 (safe gap at 4) staying out I can do another 3 (obviously another safe gap after 3) etc etc.
But you are always identifying the next safe gap & stating that you have the vision to be sure that you can make that gap safely & circumstances shouldn't be changing to stop that. You should identify the next gap (& it be suitable, i.e. sociable) before you commit.
Stating from the outset that you intend to do 20, no safe identified suitable gap other than at the front of those 20, is an entirely different prospect.
I personally don't view the former as a 20 car overtake, but instead as a linked series of lesser number overtakes.
Yep, this is exactly the situation I mean, staying out and having a better view with places to pull in should you see a hazard.You might pass 20 cars in one go for arguments sake (although again it's still going to be rare) , but they are effectively a series of lesser number overtakes, such as doing 4 (safe gap at 4) staying out I can do another 3 (obviously another safe gap after 3) etc etc.
But you are always identifying the next safe gap & stating that you have the vision to be sure that you can make that gap safely & circumstances shouldn't be changing to stop that. You should identify the next gap (& it be suitable, i.e. sociable) before you commit.
Stating from the outset that you intend to do 20, no safe identified suitable gap other than at the front of those 20, is an entirely different prospect.
I personally don't view the former as a 20 car overtake, but instead as a linked series of lesser number overtakes.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 5th August 10:49
A very satisfying situation.
Dave!
There is obviously not a lot of Scottish drivers posting on this forum
I often complete 10+ simultaneous overtakes, less regularly do 20+ and my record is 40ish (it may have been more but lets keep it in the realm of believable).
Roads involved? the A9, A83 (rest + be thankfull) and the A82 (Glencoe).
Safely. With my kids in the car it would have been nothing else.
Edited to add: The question was: Yes it is legal and can be done safely.
I often complete 10+ simultaneous overtakes, less regularly do 20+ and my record is 40ish (it may have been more but lets keep it in the realm of believable).
Roads involved? the A9, A83 (rest + be thankfull) and the A82 (Glencoe).
Safely. With my kids in the car it would have been nothing else.
Edited to add: The question was: Yes it is legal and can be done safely.
Edited by naetype on Monday 6th August 11:10
I have done 30+ on the A82. Rising road giving visibility for almost 2 mile, nothing coming the other way through the whole overtake (long stram following a caravan). Eventually stopped the overtake and fell back in as visibility impaired.
Nothing wrong with long overtakes if conditions permit and you yave both visibility and a place to pull back in - but be prepared for the guy in front who has not used his mirror prior to pulling out for HIS overtake.
Nothing wrong with long overtakes if conditions permit and you yave both visibility and a place to pull back in - but be prepared for the guy in front who has not used his mirror prior to pulling out for HIS overtake.
Fort Jefferson said:
vonhosen said:
I think we are talking about different things here.
You might pass 20 cars in one go for arguments sake (although again it's still going to be rare) , but they are effectively a series of lesser number overtakes, such as doing 4 (safe gap at 4) staying out I can do another 3 (obviously another safe gap after 3) etc etc.
But you are always identifying the next safe gap & stating that you have the vision to be sure that you can make that gap safely & circumstances shouldn't be changing to stop that. You should identify the next gap (& it be suitable, i.e. sociable) before you commit.
Stating from the outset that you intend to do 20, no safe identified suitable gap other than at the front of those 20, is an entirely different prospect.
I personally don't view the former as a 20 car overtake, but instead as a linked series of lesser number overtakes.
What he said.You might pass 20 cars in one go for arguments sake (although again it's still going to be rare) , but they are effectively a series of lesser number overtakes, such as doing 4 (safe gap at 4) staying out I can do another 3 (obviously another safe gap after 3) etc etc.
But you are always identifying the next safe gap & stating that you have the vision to be sure that you can make that gap safely & circumstances shouldn't be changing to stop that. You should identify the next gap (& it be suitable, i.e. sociable) before you commit.
Stating from the outset that you intend to do 20, no safe identified suitable gap other than at the front of those 20, is an entirely different prospect.
I personally don't view the former as a 20 car overtake, but instead as a linked series of lesser number overtakes.
The chance's of deciding to over take 20 cars from the word go, are none existant.
Queue was all behind a camper van and I had noticed whilst gaining on it that no one had even had a look at overtaking.
It was a rare case though.
edit to add, I am in agreement with what is being said about it being multiple overtakes at a time.
Edited by KB_S1 on Sunday 5th August 15:32
Eliminator said:
I have done 30+ on the A82. Rising road giving visibility for almost 2 mile, nothing coming the other way through the whole overtake (long stram following a caravan). Eventually stopped the overtake and fell back in as visibility impaired.
Nothing wrong with long overtakes if conditions permit and you have both visibility and a place to pull back in - but be prepared for the guy in front who has not used his mirror prior to pulling out for HIS overtake.
Sums it up really, VISIBILITY and OBSERVATION, no junctions/entrances.......Try this, have a look at the roads that you regularly drive on and really SEE just how many of these hazards you can spot......Nothing wrong with long overtakes if conditions permit and you have both visibility and a place to pull back in - but be prepared for the guy in front who has not used his mirror prior to pulling out for HIS overtake.
MoJo.
Edited by Mojocvh on Sunday 5th August 15:45
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