Discussion
Was driving down a road yesterday, NSL, and came across a truck parked with its hazards flashing. It was completely blocking my lane and I had to go completely into the oncoming lane to pass it.
I was a bit worried as the truck was parked only 100 yards or so before a reasonably fast right hander (for me). There were no junctions, but there was the double white line closer to the right hander. I'd say that corner could have been taken easily at 60mph (safely at more like 40mph).
I was worried that someone might come around the (left hander for them) at speed and hit me head-on while I was passing the truck. I just took a chance and passed the truck. I don't think I did anything legally wrong, but it was a cause for concern.
How to deal with this?
I was a bit worried as the truck was parked only 100 yards or so before a reasonably fast right hander (for me). There were no junctions, but there was the double white line closer to the right hander. I'd say that corner could have been taken easily at 60mph (safely at more like 40mph).
I was worried that someone might come around the (left hander for them) at speed and hit me head-on while I was passing the truck. I just took a chance and passed the truck. I don't think I did anything legally wrong, but it was a cause for concern.
How to deal with this?
If I was really uncomfortable about making the "overtake" I'd have simply got out and gone and asked the bloke how long he was going to be...
Sounds like you were actually reasonably comfortable, though, in which case I would have done exactly as you did.
If the people coming the other way were driving legally and were able to stop within the distance they could see to be clear there should be no problem. Of course - you were rightly concerned that someone out of sight might actually NOT be driving legally and could pose a danger. This shows you are a thinking, planning driver actively managing risk and with safety as a priority - if everyone was like you accident rates would tumble...
Sounds like you were actually reasonably comfortable, though, in which case I would have done exactly as you did.
If the people coming the other way were driving legally and were able to stop within the distance they could see to be clear there should be no problem. Of course - you were rightly concerned that someone out of sight might actually NOT be driving legally and could pose a danger. This shows you are a thinking, planning driver actively managing risk and with safety as a priority - if everyone was like you accident rates would tumble...
Base your passing speed on being able to stop in the distance that you can see will remain clear - if an oncoming car is coming round the corner at the speed limit he's going to need a finite amount of road to stop and you can use whatever's left. You'll be amazed at how low your passing speed might be.
Not using this rule breaks my over-riding mantra "I'm not going to drive in a way that I have to rely on another road user either doing something or not doing something for my continuing safety" - you might have less time exposed to danger, but sooner or later you'll run out of luck.
Of course, after 9+ years of cleaning up after people who ran out of luck, I might be somewhat embittered and cynical.
Not using this rule breaks my over-riding mantra "I'm not going to drive in a way that I have to rely on another road user either doing something or not doing something for my continuing safety" - you might have less time exposed to danger, but sooner or later you'll run out of luck.
Of course, after 9+ years of cleaning up after people who ran out of luck, I might be somewhat embittered and cynical.
Based on the scenario described, you'd have about 3s from a 70mph oncoming vehicle hoving into view until he was level with the front of the truck. I can't imagine not being able to complete the pass in those than 3s (ie if the oncomer appeared when you were 5 yrds before the truck, committed to passing, you'd still get through at 30 in 1.5s), so I think your primary hazard is not the blind corner, but the loss of vision round the truck.
I.e. rather than worrying about the oncomer, you need to be worrying about the driver opening his door, stepping out blind from behind the truck, or the dog, pheasant, cow wandering into view, rather than the oncoming vehicle.
And then once you've stopped to miss the dog, then worrying about the oncomer who has just appeared...
I.e. rather than worrying about the oncomer, you need to be worrying about the driver opening his door, stepping out blind from behind the truck, or the dog, pheasant, cow wandering into view, rather than the oncoming vehicle.
And then once you've stopped to miss the dog, then worrying about the oncomer who has just appeared...
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