is
one of the most risky manoeuvres on our killer highways, but it doesn't
have to be so. The secret of safe overtaking is to visualise in advance
every detail of what might happen during the operation.
Common sense dictates that less time spent on the wrong side of the road
during the overtaking manoeuvre, lesser the chances of a mishap. Minimising
exposure to danger is one of the first rules of overtaking. The trick
is to maximise acceleration by using the best gear to conclude the overtaking
manoeuvre in the shortest time. Taking that gear in advance helps avert
the unwise and risky course of changing during the overtaking. In the
act of passing both hands are needed for steering, and as the correct
gear has been taken you should have ample reserve speed.
Preparatory eye-work:
Before overtaking it is necessary to analyse what might go wrong while
overtaking. You may need to move in left to see past along the inside
of the vehicle in front. Increasing the gap between you and the vehicle
in front can be very effective in getting a clear line of sight way up
ahead along the inside. It also saves you the hassle of having to pull
out if at all. Glancing down the inside will also enable you to make sure
that the vehicle in front will not pull out for any reason. Place your
car on any safe inch of space that helps provide the best view but take
care not to ignore your mirror.
Illustration 'A' provides an example of preparation. Car 'a' is following
car 'b' around a long sweeping left bend on a wide two-way road. You know
that a straight stretch comes after the corner. Because of watching through
and to the left of the car ahead for some time while approaching this
sweeping bend you have observed that after the third car to come, there
will be a gap of at least thirty seconds with no vehicle coming. This
sets you up quite nicely for gently nosing out to look round the offside
of the car you want to pass at the moment the bend is straightening that
is immediately after the third car has passed by the other way.
 |
 |
| The
above illustrations show the right overtaking technique on a
long sweeping left bend. 'A' shows the initial looking position
with the field of vision while 'B' shows the new position moved
to during a pre-established safe moment. |
|
Illustration
'B' shows your new position moved to during the pre-established safe moment.
From this position, as the bend opens into the straight you need to be
in gear ready to pass quickly, maximising safe use of the straight. If
you can't go, drop back in, don't take unnecessary risks. In fact you
will have gained a preview of what is coming and when the next gap will
manifest itself. Whereas if you had waited for the straight and then nudged
out, you might have found that it was too late to overtake safely before
another hazard.
Quite often during such manoeuvres you may find a road hog sitting on
your tail. In some instances these fools will try overtaking you while
you nudge inside to gain a clear line of sight along the inside of the
vehicle in front. Try flashing your brake lights to warn him. If it doesn't
help, it is better to drop back and let such fools pass than wait for
him to take both of you off the road.
 |
Illustration
'C' (left) is an example of preparation at a right hand curve. Here
the car tucks in near the edge to gain the best view up the straight
at the earliest moment. Illustration 'D' (below) shows the right line
to be taken during an overtaking manoeuvre while the dotted path shows
the line taken by an erratic driver who could cause an accident in
case a dangerous situation manifests itself. |
Illustration
'C' is an example of preparation at a right hand curve. In anticipation
of the road straightening after the right bend, the driver of the car
has positioned himself to see ahead and be at the ready. He tucks himself
in near the edge to gain the best view up the straight at the earliest
moment. The technique demands watching lest something causes the lorry
to pull out suddenly. Here he concentrates not only on the road ahead
but also on the behaviour of the lorry ahead and making sure that he doesn't
change direction. This is essentially early positioning to ensure safe
overtaking. If clear you can go quickly before the chance becomes unsafe.
You must be absolutely sure that no hidden vehicle can emerge and cut
you off. Also keep in mind dips in the road that could hide oncoming traffic.
|
June 2001