Overtaking - an alternative view
Discussion
We've all read Reg's excellent posts, but let us never be afraid to learn from others. I saw a chap this morning who taught me a lot about overtaking 
as I watched from a safe distance behind:
1)Get really close (approx 5 feet) from the vehicle in front - that makes it less distance to get past so must be better. This is especially true if the vehicle in front is a large lorry (as it was in this case)
2) One problem with 1 is that it means you can't see terribly well if there is traffic in the other direction. This is easily solved, you just wait until there is a gap of approx 5s since the last vehicle went past. If the gap has been this long then obviously it will continue to be clear and so you can pull out with no fear of losing your wing mirror as a bus comes the other way for example
3) A good overtaking opportunity comes if you pass a very large sign indicating a round-about ahead - because obviously the lorry will slow down making it easier to get past, no?
I'm sure like me you've all seen lots of numpties like this, but this one had something special. Rather than being all over the place, he was actually very predictable and precise in just how bad he was driving. I was behind for about 3 or 4 miles and he missed at least 4 easy opportunities to get past a fairly slow lorry on a good A-road, and nearly caused at least 5 accidents by trying to overtake at the wrong time or place.
I'm not sure there is really a point to this post, but I needed to get it off my chest
as I watched from a safe distance behind: 1)Get really close (approx 5 feet) from the vehicle in front - that makes it less distance to get past so must be better. This is especially true if the vehicle in front is a large lorry (as it was in this case)
2) One problem with 1 is that it means you can't see terribly well if there is traffic in the other direction. This is easily solved, you just wait until there is a gap of approx 5s since the last vehicle went past. If the gap has been this long then obviously it will continue to be clear and so you can pull out with no fear of losing your wing mirror as a bus comes the other way for example
3) A good overtaking opportunity comes if you pass a very large sign indicating a round-about ahead - because obviously the lorry will slow down making it easier to get past, no?
I'm sure like me you've all seen lots of numpties like this, but this one had something special. Rather than being all over the place, he was actually very predictable and precise in just how bad he was driving. I was behind for about 3 or 4 miles and he missed at least 4 easy opportunities to get past a fairly slow lorry on a good A-road, and nearly caused at least 5 accidents by trying to overtake at the wrong time or place.
I'm not sure there is really a point to this post, but I needed to get it off my chest
Lol, I'm sure we've all observed this.
The problem is that, as we sit back and observe, looking for the safe overtake of Numpty and lorry, we decide not to proceed for fear that Numpty will go as we are alongside.
I have executed the overtake in such situations but always ready for problems and with a looong headlamp flash.
The problem is that, as we sit back and observe, looking for the safe overtake of Numpty and lorry, we decide not to proceed for fear that Numpty will go as we are alongside.
I have executed the overtake in such situations but always ready for problems and with a looong headlamp flash.
Seen plenty of this 
I usually drop even further back than usual to give them space to screw up.
If I want to make quicker "progress" than them, I always turn on my low beam lights in daytime and give a little toot on the horn before I go past them. They normally give me the finger but at least they are aware of someone else on the road.
I usually drop even further back than usual to give them space to screw up.
If I want to make quicker "progress" than them, I always turn on my low beam lights in daytime and give a little toot on the horn before I go past them. They normally give me the finger but at least they are aware of someone else on the road.
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