Creative Overtaking Methods

Over the previous three sections of this series concerning safe overtaking methods we have looked at how you would seek out an appropriate overtaking opportunity. We have discussed how you would determine whether the intended overtake is appropriate and how to execute an overtaking manoeuvre quickly, cleanly and with the car under complete control.

We have also said how overtaking on a single carriageway is potentially the most dangerous manoeuvre you can make in a car, but when an escape plan is built into it, the whole thing becomes a lot safer.

In this chapter we are going explore methods of how to make that passing manoeuvre in places that you may not have thought of before. This is overtaking by stealth, and by use of guile and cunning, there are ways of making safe progress without drawing negative attention to yourself, whilst still remaining lawful and by exploiting circumstances in which you ordinarily would dismiss the idea.

Overtaking a 55mph Driver in a 60mph Speed Limit

One of the questions we are often asked is how do you pass another driver who is travelling at 55mph on a National speed limit single carriageway road, and without you exceeding the 60mph National speed limit to do it? Well, you are not going to do it at 60mph, that’s for sure. Not unless you want to take about a mile to complete the manoeuvre.

There is no exemption to a speeding offence that allows you the right to exceed the speed limit just to overtake, even though you may wish to argue this would be done in the interest of safety, as in doing it more quickly. In the circumstances of wishing to overtake someone driving at 5mph slower than you, you are going to have to use your head a bit more to find a way of doing it legally and safely.

The Average Driver Can’t Read a Bend

Always remember the average driver is not taught how to read a bend, and their level of observation anywhere near as well developed as that of the advanced driver. To the uninitiated a bend is just something that happens, and to deal with one is to make it up as they go along. Of course, having kept up to date with this series of Ride Drive website advanced driving articles, you will know differently, and be able to accurately assess every bend absolutely spot on every time.

So, there you are, driving along and following another vehicle on a winding country road and you would like to travel at 60mph instead of the 55mph the car in front is doing. What you need to do is study the driver’s ability to see what sort of driver you are dealing with.

If it is Mr or Mrs Average you are following you will note that whilst he or she is maintaining 55mph on the straight, that driver will almost certainly drive into each bend whilst on the brakes. You will see those brake lights showing for as long as at least half way through the bend. This is because the driver ahead can’t read bends and is adjusting speed whilst in the bend, just as we said, making it up as he or she goes along.

Also, because that driver does not know anything about setting the car up in preparation for a bend, about road positioning or how to maintain the stability of the car whilst cornering, he or she will most likely over compensate in terms of road speed, exiting the bend at a lower rate than is necessary. Even though you personally may safely take the bend at 50mph, for example, the vehicle ahead may well end up coming out the other end at 35mph.

Weighing Up The Ability of Another Driver

Having noted this information, when you come to the next suitable curve in the road, let the car ahead run away a little so you put some distance between you. Then, at the optimum moment, begin to catch up, but not too fast, and try to time your arrival at the precise moment the bend is beginning to open out.

As you catch the vehicle up again, if it is clear ahead, instead of only having a 5mph speed difference between vehicles, you will probably now have at least 20mph difference, which is enough to overtake safely and smoothly (traffic, road markings and conditions allowing), without exceeding the speed limit or committing any other offence.

One has to be careful here not to fall into the trap of overtaking by use of the slingshot routine, which as we have already discussed during chapter–3, is not a good idea. Use your advanced road positioning skills to get that advanced view ahead, so as to come onto the overtake already in the launch position, and with the car fully prepared.

Using Other Road USers to Provide Overtaking Opportunities

Another effective way of getting in an overtake is when the vehicle ahead has caught up with a slower vehicle, such as a truck. Using your advanced observation techniques, coupled with anticipation and planning skills, you should be able to get a view of the road ahead of the traffic much more effectively than the driver ahead, and of course much sooner.

This will often mean you can get out there for that confirmation look and pick off both the vehicle you have been following, as well as the truck, in one well engineered move before the other driver has had chance to realise what is going on. This is how you can use other traffic to help you to make progress.

Roundabouts Can Provide Overtaking Opportunities

Roundabouts are a place that often provide hidden passing opportunities. Everyone should know that when approaching a roundabout on a single carriageway road, and if the road splits to two lanes leading onto the roundabout system, your position should be that of driving in the nearside lane, if your intended exit is between 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock. Any exit point that is beyond 12 o’clock will need an approach via the right hand lane. Notice how we refer to the roundabout exit position in the same way as numbers on a clock face.

However, let us say you are approaching a roundabout, and although you intend to exit at 11 o’clock, your left hand lane has a queue of traffic. You see the right hand lane of the two is empty, and an articulated truck has just stopped at the give way line at the head of the left–hand lane. Seeing the traffic flow using the roundabout is holding it here, and working out that you will get to the junction before the truck driver has chance to pull away, here’s how you can use the right hand lane instead.

In all probability If the driver of the vehicle you have been following, and wishing to pass, is intending to take the same route after the roundabout as you, there is a fair chance he or she will join the line in the left lane, and sit in the longer queue behind the truck at the junction.

If you are at the Give Way line next to the truck, will your car easily out accelerate it onto the roundabout? However, if you do move off onto the roundabout at the same time as the truck, will you have to make a show of yourself when out accelerating it? The answer to both questions has got to be, no.

You can easily achieve your aim in an unobtrusive manner, slipping onto the roundabout and getting ahead of the large vehicle quietly and safely — but don’t race to get up the line to join it. Passing traffic queues is a high risk zone and progress should be made with caution.

Don’t Get Competative With Other Drivers

What you must not do though is turn this into a drag race with someone who is going to get competitive. Remember, people may want to try and race you on the road, and if you encounter this, just give ground and don’t get involved. It’s just not worth it.

By taking what would normally be regarded as an incorrect lane is not offensive, providing you do not cause anyone else to alter course or speed.

One other point about trucks and roundabouts, never try to pass a truck, especially an articulated vehicle, whilst it is on a roundabout system. Also, never go side by side with one either, as you will certainly get squashed. Drivers of these vehicles cannot see what is beside them or immediately behind them when steering left and right, so just back off and give them the space.

Using Traffic Congestion to Make Progress

There is another way you can cunningly make progress at a roundabout, and this one works particularly well where there is congested traffic. Imagine you are intending to take the 9 o’clock exit at the next roundabout, but as you approach you see that the world and his wife have decided upon using the same route. With the nearside lane chocka–block, if the right lane is relatively empty by comparison, take that one instead.

When you got to the roundabout, don’t cut across to your intended exit from the Give Way line, but complete a 360 degree drive around the island, and then leave at your intended exit in the normal manner. By doing this you have probably moved ahead of several other vehicles, but will have done so in a calm and subtle manner that can never be argued as being offensive, providing you follow normal roundabout driving protocol.

There are many ways in which to pass another vehicle legally, safely and without causing anyone else any alarm, and some of the opportunities that you may get will only be opportunities if you can think outside of the box. You have to use your head and have a good sense of reasoning to make it work.

If There is No Advantage in Overtaking, Then Don’t Overtake

However, never forget that overtaking is about making progress, but if there is no real progress to be made by completing an overtake then don’t do it. It always looks naff to bully your way passed another vehicle, only to have that vehicle sitting behind you at the next set of lights or junction.

As clever as you might think you might have been, in reality you have only made up a single car length, and you now have the driver you overtook behind and staring at the back of your head whilst regarding you with complete disdain. Think logic, and above all, think third party perception and you won’t go far wrong.

Julian Smith
Ride Drive Limited

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Part–1 Identifying Overtaking Opportunities
Part–2 Planning & Preparation to Overtake
Part–3 Overtaking Another Moving Vehicle
Part–4 Creative Overtaking Opportunities

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This page was last updated
Thursday, 27-Jan-2011

Creative Overtaking Methods