Question about overtaking.
Discussion
I hope this is the place to post this.
Ever since I had some half asleep numbnut execute an overtaking manouver down the side of my Supra a few years ago while I was overtaking him on a NSL single carriageway, I have taken to alerting the overtakee as to my intentions by giving a quick flash of my headlamps before overtaking.
This I feel has two benefits. 1) As said, it alerts them to my intentions. 2) Saves them from having a heart attack wehn they wake up and realise they're being overtaken.
The reason I'm posting is this........... Although I have the best of intentions at heart and while I'm not a mind reader, many, (not all), seem to take exception to this. Often I'm subject to gesticulation and indications by the use of their horn and lights and occassionaly tailgating.
What would you think if I flashed you before I overtook?
I'm interested to know if you would take exception and why?
For the record, I employ Police methodology in my overtaking manouvers, so I don't travel up other's backsides before overtaking and always leave plenty of room for the action.
Ever since I had some half asleep numbnut execute an overtaking manouver down the side of my Supra a few years ago while I was overtaking him on a NSL single carriageway, I have taken to alerting the overtakee as to my intentions by giving a quick flash of my headlamps before overtaking.
This I feel has two benefits. 1) As said, it alerts them to my intentions. 2) Saves them from having a heart attack wehn they wake up and realise they're being overtaken.
The reason I'm posting is this........... Although I have the best of intentions at heart and while I'm not a mind reader, many, (not all), seem to take exception to this. Often I'm subject to gesticulation and indications by the use of their horn and lights and occassionaly tailgating.
What would you think if I flashed you before I overtook?
I'm interested to know if you would take exception and why?
For the record, I employ Police methodology in my overtaking manouvers, so I don't travel up other's backsides before overtaking and always leave plenty of room for the action.
No flash is necessary if people were to use the old Mirror Signal Manooooover (can't spell that word for toffee).
As a safe guard, the cars "body language" and the movements of the drivers head should be all the info you need to know whether there is a chance of being swiped.
I take it in your incident you were found to be not at fault since the driver pulling out hadn't looked hard enough??
As a safe guard, the cars "body language" and the movements of the drivers head should be all the info you need to know whether there is a chance of being swiped.
I take it in your incident you were found to be not at fault since the driver pulling out hadn't looked hard enough??
My only reason(s) for doing it is to assume the driver in front hasn't checked their mirrors and as such is oblivious to my existence and as such the deportment of my car and to draw attention to the fact that I'm overtaking.
I only flash quickly, so I doubt there'd be any risk of blinding anyone even at night.
I only flash quickly, so I doubt there'd be any risk of blinding anyone even at night.
mat205125 said:
No flash is necessary if people were to use the old Mirror Signal Manooooover (can't spell that word for toffee).
(Yeah, me either!!)
Aye, if people used the MSM, but they don't always do they.?
mat205125 said:
As a safe guard, the cars "body language" and the movements of the drivers head should be all the info you need to know whether there is a chance of being swiped.
I take it in your incident you were found to be not at fault since the driver pulling out hadn't looked hard enough??
I take it in your incident you were found to be not at fault since the driver pulling out hadn't looked hard enough??
Well, I was already halfway past the guy when he changed lanes so I couldn't even tell you if he'd indicated at all TBH.
The insurance companys went knock for knock even though I protested. I even had one of the Call centre agents telling me that I should expect things like this as overtaking is a dangerous thing to do. I quickly asked to speak to someone who knew what they were talking about.
big rod said:
I only flash quickly, so I doubt there'd be any risk of blinding anyone even at night.
I find that even a short flash (or indeed some muppet in a 4x4/van driving so close that their dipped lights shine in through my rear window) severely screws up my eyes at night. I would have thought the horn would be a better medium for alerting the driver of what you're about to do but then I suppose that would upset people even more.
Being flashed before somebody overtakes me doesn't bother me in the slightest, so I can't envisage taking exception to it at all.
It's nice to see somebody being positive about their driving and enjoying themselves, so long as they keep things safe and they are considerate to those around them.
Do take care to avoid exceeding the NSL though.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
It's nice to see somebody being positive about their driving and enjoying themselves, so long as they keep things safe and they are considerate to those around them.
Do take care to avoid exceeding the NSL though.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
I have found most people take a flash of the headlights to mean
"I am about to overtake your vehicle so that I can get to your house before you, rape your wife, kill your children and burn it to the ground."
or at least you'd believe that's what they were thinking from the way they react.
These days if I'm unsure I simply put on my headlights and leave them on. Switch 'em off a mile down the road. Seems to incurr just a little less wrath. Although most people simply don't believe overtaking is legal anyway...or at least that's what you'd believe they thought from the way they react...
"I am about to overtake your vehicle so that I can get to your house before you, rape your wife, kill your children and burn it to the ground."
or at least you'd believe that's what they were thinking from the way they react.
These days if I'm unsure I simply put on my headlights and leave them on. Switch 'em off a mile down the road. Seems to incurr just a little less wrath. Although most people simply don't believe overtaking is legal anyway...or at least that's what you'd believe they thought from the way they react...
@ ALawson, TripleS & Don I too think that most people, from my experiences, would see a flash of the headlights as aggression, even if done in the 'safest' way. Although it is quite rare that I get overtaken as I tend to make good progress myself, I am constantly checking my mirrors but whether it be a car or a bike I will assist them in getting past me by maintaining a constant speed and if appropriate a quick left indicate. I think that if you use proper car body language observation of both vehicles in front and behind then this situation shouldnt arise. However, this cannot account for loonies or people on suicide missions but again you 'should' be able to spot these before executing an overtake.
...and as for the person you spoke to on the phone that said overtaking is dangerous/illegal, good on you for asking for somebody else
Cheers
Tom
...and as for the person you spoke to on the phone that said overtaking is dangerous/illegal, good on you for asking for somebody else
Cheers
Tom
big rod said:
mat205125 said:
No flash is necessary if people were to use the old Mirror Signal Manooooover (can't spell that word for toffee).
(Yeah, me either!!)
Aye, if people used the MSM, but they don't always do they.?
mat205125 said:
As a safe guard, the cars "body language" and the movements of the drivers head should be all the info you need to know whether there is a chance of being swiped.
I take it in your incident you were found to be not at fault since the driver pulling out hadn't looked hard enough??
I take it in your incident you were found to be not at fault since the driver pulling out hadn't looked hard enough??
Well, I was already halfway past the guy when he changed lanes so I couldn't even tell you if he'd indicated at all TBH.
The insurance companys went knock for knock even though I protested. I even had one of the Call centre agents telling me that I should expect things like this as overtaking is a dangerous thing to do. I quickly asked to speak to someone who knew what they were talking about.
Noun: manoeuvre
1. A plan for attaining a particular goal
2. A military training exercise
3. A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
4. A move made to gain a tactical end
5. An action aimed at evading an opponent
Verb: manoeuvre
1. Act in order to achieve a certain goal
2. Direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
3. Perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defence
7db said:
Try a cheery little wave after the overtake to help any misunderstanding evaporate.
If someone flashed me prior to overtaking, I'd help them past.
If someone flashed me prior to overtaking, I'd help them past.
That's probably not a bad idea, but as generally I'm disappearing into a blip on their horizon and the rear windows of my car are fairly heavily tinted, it might prove to be a redundant action.
7db said:
Try a cheery little wave after the overtake to help any misunderstanding evaporate.
Are you kidding?
Cheery wave (to you and me): "Thanks, mate. Gotta go. Bye."
Cheery wave (to overtakee): "**** car, *******, and you can't drive worth a damn. Your **** is the size of a peperami mini and your wife tells me it doesn't taste as good as mine. Laters, dweeb."
Truth is most slowcoaches are asleep behind the wheel. Best thing to do is to sneak up on 'em quietly so as not to wake 'em up then blast past as quick as you can. Then put as much distance as possible between you and them before they realise what's happening and go ape. Which, all too often, they will.
tommundy said:
I too think that most people, from my experiences, would see a flash of the headlights as aggression, even if done in the 'safest' way.
How can this be seen as aggression on a SC road? All you're doing is saying "hello, I'm here and I'm going to overtake you."
It's not like you're closing on someone in lane 3 of a motorway and trying to flash him out of the way.
Interesting replies cause when i suggested "lighting them up" as i was taught on and hp/advanced course
I got royally
ed by the "great" and all "knowledgeable" that contribute If it causes you no problems carry on, it is mentioned in Road craft I’ll find the exact page and phrase when I can be bothered
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