Multiple car overtakes

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Discussion

Benrad

Original Poster:

650 posts

150 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I was under the impression that you should only ever overtake if there is only one car infront of you, overtaking more than one could mean that a car infront may also move out to overtake without checking mirrors and you would hit them. I'm talking about single carriageways obviously. I've seen a few vids on here with people doing this manoeuvre without anybody picking them up on it?

I ask because I graduate from uni next summer and plan to do IAM once I'm settled into my new job.

Benrad

Original Poster:

650 posts

150 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
OK, I like that three question approach, sounds like a brilliant 'if you could summarise advanced driving in 30 words...', but consider this: is there ever a situation where it IS safe to overtake multiple cars at once given that there will always be an increased risk of them deciding to overtake and that they may not check their mirror?

So you know, obviously I won't be now making overtakes like that based on your advise and I hope you agree that it would be stupid of me to do so!! I just thought that perhaps it was a risk that others hadn't identified and would be interested in considering or that they may have a specific reason for discounting.

Benrad

Original Poster:

650 posts

150 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
So in your opinion there needs to be a space between each driver that I could pull into? I can see how that would in general make it safer, I like it thanks guys smile

Benrad

Original Poster:

650 posts

150 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I hadn't considered that. When cycling I often use eye contact before committing to any kind of interaction, even proceeding around a roundabout because at the end of the day it's me that gets hurt.

The car equivalent would be position slightly to the right to indicate my intentions, judge reaction of car(s) infront. Indicate during overtake. Perhaps switch headlights on to make me more visible and even a short toot on the horn to make them aware of my presence?

Benrad

Original Poster:

650 posts

150 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
Observing and looking for indicators one way or another is a great idea. I'll do that rather than contemplating an overtake next time.

I wasn't concerned with passing an IAM test, I'm miles away from that, I just wanted to get into good habits and improve my driving in the mean time

Benrad

Original Poster:

650 posts

150 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
I'd look at road position in terms of left right and separation distance to the car infront. I'd suggest hanging right or close implies that the driver is trying to bully the way past and may consider a rash overtake, or that the person in front may do a brake check. Large separation distance but hanging right would indicate that they may wish to overtake properly but are likely to do a mirror check first because they're driving properly.

Obviously direction indicators as in the flashing orange things!!

Has there been a gap they could have overtaken in yet (bearing in mind the type of vehicle they're driving) if there has and there was no overtake then that suggests they won't.

How am I doing? I'm really new to this way of looking at it so please rip me to shreds. It's the only way I'll learn

Benrad

Original Poster:

650 posts

150 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
Prior closing speed, missed that and it's a biggie, can see how useful it is. Still it means I'll remember it from now on!

Thanks for your help, I really enjoy chatting about this kind of stuff with like minded people. Can't wait to join a club once I'm settled after graduation!