Overtaking / following position question
Discussion
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?
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?
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 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" Happy hunting.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff