Better Driving: Overtaking

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OVERTAKING

Overtaking in the rain:

In the rain, overtaking margins need to be increased by a minimum of three times. Also keep well clear as you pass, and avoid lingering in that position from which your wheels directly spray the windscreens of those you have passed.

Speed in the dark:
Never go faster in the prevailing road conditions than the distance you lights show clear and safe. Relate your speed to the lit up area. Go more slowly on high beam than during the day, and slower still when dipped.

If dazzled by oncoming headlights, the best thing to do is to squeeze the eyelids together, peering through narrow slits and continue slowly enough to be safe. Slow or stop if you can't see. You can reduce dazzle by concentrating on seeing your side of the road. Do not be visually hypnotised by approaching headlights.

A brief up flash reminds an approaching driver to dip his lights. Do not deliberately dazzle back, it simply increases danger. The other car's dipping mechanism may be broken. Always dip before junctions as there may not be time later.

On empty main roads flashing lights up and down, even if there is no apparent approaching traffic, announces your presence at hazards. In the seconds you are dipped you see approaching light beams easily. In the seconds you are on full beam others see you.

In traffic streams use your judgement to cut braking applications to a minimum. This saves the people in your wake from brake-light glare.

Overtaking at night:
While overtaking with no oncoming traffic, a brief flash of your headlights warns that you are coming, but you do not switch on the high beam until you are almost alongside, ready to pass. Keep your lights on if you are overtaking in the middle lane on three lane two-ways, even when there are high power sodium street lamps.

A person who slows down more than necessary for every approaching car and then speeds up whenever you are about to pass is a common irritant on the road. To pass him, lie out when it is safe and switch your high beam on before you begin to overtake. The temporary dazzle in his mirror may slow him down, but beware lest he is dazzled and swings out in front of you. You must be very careful of him but this may prove your only method of seeing far enough ahead of him to pass safely.

Many motorists find it hard to judge distances at night. While overtaking on the open road, it may happen that you are not quite ready to move back to your own side when a car approaches round the next corner. The danger is that the approaching driver may not realise that you are on his side, all he sees are two sets of headlamps with little speed differential to tell by. When he realises the true situation, he may panic.

To avoid this you need to quickly get back on your side, and be seen getting back. Use you left indicator for this. Worry less about cutting in than the possible head-on collision. The driver that you are passing may expect you to cut in and could already be braking. Drivers normally are less aggressive at night; he is less likely to accelerate to prevent you getting back, so a rapid glance over your shoulder may show you that you can move in sooner than you thought.

Although it is common practice, the use of right indicator when overtaking during the day is often of little value and can confuse other traffic. It may even be left on. At night a brief right flash during the early moving out stage makes it easier for following drivers to pick out what you are doing.

In case you feel that your headlights are getting dim, stop and clean the outside glass. A few kilometres on muddy roads can dull the lights more than you think. Mud splattered on the headlamps can reduce beam intensity by a huge amount in the rain.

Page No: 1 2 3 4 5

Author: Sirish Chandran

Source

October 2001

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