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.

JOIN NOW and gain access to ALL the official Theory Test multiple choice Revision Questions for car drivers

Related Articles...

Risks when driving: bright or low sun
When the sun is low and bright, it can be very hard indeed to drive. This is because we may have to squint and the bright light can make it hard to pick out objects and to see, sometimes right in...

Road position and large vehicles
In a car there are of course blind spots, but as soon as you drive a lorry you realise how significant the blind spots are for those vehicles. For one simple thing even with vans you can't...

What to expect at a hazard perception test
The test has fourteen different clips, as outlined in the article entitled 'how to pass the hazard perception test'. Each of those clips starts counting down from ten to zero, in order to...

Driving and Eyesight Requirements
If you require glasses in order to meet the requirements for driving legally, then you must ensure that you wear them whilst you drive (or corrective lenses). There are some conditions that...

The day of the theory test
On the day of the theory test you may well feel nervous. As with any test or examination of any kind this is of course natural as everybody is anxious to do their best and to pass the...

Various road markings you might find
Many drivers who are good at interpreting and understanding what a large range of road signs mean are not so good when it comes to road markings. Some drivers appear to not even really be...

The multiple choice theory test
This is the first part of the theory test, and is done at a computer rather than on paper. There are many places around the country whereby you are able to take the theory test. Your driving...

Who needs to take a theory test
A theory test is part of the process required for anyone who wants to become a qualified driver in the UK. There are two stages to being a standard car driver: first passing a theory test, and then...

Regular car checks to perform
In addition to the daily checks that you should perform on core elements of your car such as the tyres (see article entitled 'what to check on your car daily') there are various other elements that...

Driving Test and Independent Driving
Independent driving - where the candidate is not following the directions given at each stage by the instructor but rather following a route, e.g. following road signs to Town X until the instructor...

Bookmark with:

Facebook

Twitter

Google Buzz Stumble

StumbleUpon

Delicious