Over the previous three sections of this series of driving hints and tips devoted to the subject of overtaking we have looked at how you would seek out an ovetaking opportunity, how you would determine whether the overtake is appropriate and how to execute the manoeuvre quickly, cleanly and with the car under complete control, and whilst having an escape plan built in should anything unexpected take place. This time we are going to look at how to pick off that passing manoeuvre where standard opportunities are not readily available, or there is some other aggravating factor present that would ordinarily prevent you getting ahead. This is overtaking by stealth, and by use of guile and cunning there are ways of making safe progress without drawing negative attention to your self.

We are often asked how to pass another driver who is travelling at 55mph on a National speed limit single carriageway road. Well, you are not going to do it at 60mph, not unless you want to take about a mile to complete the manoeuvre, and remember there is no exemption to a speeding offence that says you have the right to overtake in excess of the speed limit, even though you may wish to argue you did so in the interest of safety, so as to do it more quickly. In these circumstances you are going to have to use your head a bit more to find a way of doing it legally.

The average driver is not taught how to read a bend, neither is their level of observation anywhere near as high 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 you go along. Of course, having kept up to date with this series of articles, you will know differently, as you will be able to accurately assess every bend absolutely spot on every time. So there you are, following another car on a meandering country road and you would like to travel at 60mph instead of the 55mph the guy in front is doing. What you need to do is study his ability, weigh him up as to what sort of driver he is. If he is Mr. Average you will note that although he is maintaining 55mph on the straight, he will drive into each bend on his brakes, and keep those brake lights showing to at least half way through the curve. This is because he can’t read bends and is adjusting his speed whilst in the bend, as we said, making it up as he goes along. Also, because he does not know anything about setting the car up, positioning and maintaining stability, even though you personally can safely make the bend at 50mph, for example, he ends up coming out of it at 38mph.

Having noted this information, when you come to the next suitable curve, let the car ahead run away a little so you put some distance between you and his vehicle. At the optimum moment begin to catch up with it again, not too fast, and try and time your arrival at the precise moment that the bend is beginning to open out and you have got your view of what lays beyond. By this time, instead of only having 5mph speed difference between you, it could be that you have at least 20mph difference, which is enough to overtake smoothly (traffic, road markings and conditions allowing) and without exceeding the speed limit, or committing any other offence, you can swiftly make your passing manoeuvre. One has to be careful here not to fall into the trap of using the old slingshot routine, which as we have already discussed on a previous page, that is not a good idea. Use your alternative road positioning to get that advanced view ahead so as to come onto the overtake already in the pre-launch position and fully prepared.

Another effective way of getting that quick overtake is when the vehicle ahead has caught up with a slow vehicle, such as a truck. Using your advanced observation techniques, coupled with anticipation and planning, you should be able to get your view of the road ahead much more effectively, and of course much sooner than the driver ahead. This will often mean you can get out there for that last confirmation look and pick both him and the truck off in one well engineered move before that other driver has had chance to realise what is going on. This is a case where you can use other traffic to help you make progress.

Roundabouts are another useful ally. Everyone should know that when you approach a roundabout on a single carriageway, if the road splits to two lanes leading onto it, and you are intending to exit between 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock, you should be using the left-hand lane. Any exit point beyond 12 o’clock will be the right hand lane approach. However, let us say you are approaching a roundabout, and although you intend to leave it at 11 o’clock, this being a position relative to your entry point, you see that the right hand lane of the two is empty, but an articulated truck has just stopped at the give way line in the left hand lane. Seeing that traffic using the roundabout is holding it here, and working out that you will get to the junction before the truck driver begins to pull away, take the right hand lane, as there is a fair chance that the driver in front is going to exit the roundabout by the same route as you, he will sit behind the big vehicle to the junction.

Think about it; will your car easily out accelerate the HGV from the Give Way line, and in order to achieve that, will you have to make a show of yourself in terms of making a lot of noise about it? The answer here has got to be that you can easily achieve your aim, and you can do so in an unobtrusive manner. You should be able to slip onto the roundabout ahead of the large vehicle quietly and safely, and very importantly without causing anyone any alarm or upset. What you must not do though is turn this into a drag race by picking on 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.

There is another way you can use your cunning to make progress at a roundabout in heavy and congested traffic, again choosing the least line of resistance. Just 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 routre. If the outer lane is relatively empty by comparison, take that lane instead, but don’t cut across to your intended exit, but do a complete 360 degrees 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 have done so in a calm and subtle manner that can never be argued as being offensive.

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

This is the end of the overtaking section, so please return to the advanced driving hints and tips menu