What causes accidents: overtaking
When you overtake a vehicle, there are often many things to consider.
First of all you need to ensure that it is, as far as you are aware, safe to do so. Therefore don't overtake close to junctions or in conditions where overtaking requires you to drive on the wrong side of the road. This is always dangerous, even if you believe you have good visibility of the road ahead.
When you do go to overtake, take care of how far you are from the car you are overtaking when you pull out. Some cars get very close before overtaking, which is dangerous because if road conditions change and you are suddenly unable to pull out, you might have to brake dangerously quickly to stop yourself going into that car.
Also beware of other road vehicles in the lane you need to enter going very quickly, because they might move into the space you want to enter, causing a collision.
You also need to keep an eye on the vehicle you are overtaking. Some drivers are erratic, and even if the car has been going very slowly, there might be another slow car in front and the driver you wish to overtake may themselves indicate that they are coming out ahead of you; in this instance you should switch off your indicator and cancel overtaking until you are sure of the position of the car.
Those scenarios above show that there are various things that you need to consider when you are overtaking; and also remember that you may be in a blindspot at some part of the overtaking manoeuvre.
Whilst overtaking is very common on things like motorways, the maneouvre still needs to be executed with vigilance whenever you wish to overtake.
Related Articles...
Reversing Exercises in the driving test
There are three reversing exercises that you could be tested on in the driving practical test.
You will be asked to perform two out of these three so that the person undertaking your test (the...
Hazard Perception
There has been a significant increase in the focus of hazard perception and hazard awareness in the last few years since the introduction by the DSA of a separate hazard perception element to the...
How to book your driving theory test
There is now an online booking system in place that will allow you to book a driving theory test online.
There are also other ways to book a driving theory test: over the phone and you can...
Your driving licence: getting it back
As the New Drivers Act article outlines, if you get six penalty points or more in the first two years of having a licence, then it is revoked and you have to retake both tests: the theory and the...
When to expect your licence
The answer to this question depends on whether you have a licence issued after March 2004 or not, which was a photocard driving licence. If so, then you h'll have the option to get it...
Car Driving Test Fees
This article looks at the costs, which were correct as of October 2009.
A standard car and motorcycle theory test costs £31.
In terms of the practical test, the price is a good deal...
Tips on passing your theory test
It is up to each individual who takes a theory test to do the necessary work and preparation to put themselves in the best position to pass the test.
Rather than attempting to 'cram' the night...
Tyre pressure checking
The one check that everyone knows to perform is to check the pressure of their tyres, but a visual inspection is not enough. Clearly you can spot something really obvious this way, such as if a...
What causes accidents: speed
There is a well known saying from safety campaigns which simply says that "speed kills".
Although many people think that you have to be travelling really quickly in order to make an impact...
Thinking about a greener car
It is interesting to note that a signficant amount of the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire country comes from simply car travel: noticeably over 10% does.
Therefore if you have a type of...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions
