Where should you avoid overtaking?

OVERTAKING is an important manoeuvre for motorists to master safely.

Therefore it’s important to understand when and where you should avoid overtaking when on the road.

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It is important to understand when and where you should avoid overtaking when on the road[/caption]

Where should you avoid overtaking?

As mentioned above, as a driver, it is important to understand where you should avoid overtaking.

You should not overtake if there is any doubt, or where you cannot visibly see far enough ahead to ensure it is safe.

For example, when approaching a hump bridge, the brow of a hill or a corner or bend.

You should also not overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users.

For example, where the road narrows, approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road, at a level crossing or when approaching a school crossing patrol.

When should you avoid overtaking?

There are a number of times when drivers should avoid overtaking.

As per rule 165 of the Highway Code these include:

• If you would have to cross or straddle double white lines with a solid line nearest to you
• If you would have to enter an area designed to divide traffic, if it is surrounded by a solid white line
• The nearest vehicle to a pedestrian crossing, especially when it has stopped to let pedestrians cross
• If you would have to enter a lane reserved for buses, trams or cycles during its hours of operation
• After a ‘No Overtaking’ sign and until you pass a sign cancelling the restriction

Is overtaking illegal?

There are strict rules about how and when it is safe to overtake – one being that drivers should only overtake ‘’when it is safe and legal to do so.”

According to the RAC overtaking ”is illegal if there are signs or road markings clearly prohibiting it, or if it’s done in an unsafe, reckless or uncontrolled way”.

For example, when you don’t have clear visibility of the road ahead or if you must exceed the speed limit in order to overtake.

How should you overtake on a motorway?

The right-hand lanes are there to allow you to overtake a vehicle which is moving slower than you.

Rule 264 of the Highway Code states: ”You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear.

“If you are overtaking a number of slow-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.”

You should pull into the middle or outside lane to overtake, then return to the left lane as soon as possible.

If you stay in the middle lane you could prevent other motorists from overtaking behind you, causing traffic flow issues.