10 Things You Must Keep In Mind For Safe Overtaking

The duration of our overtaking manoeuvres represents less than 0.1% of the total time we spend on the road. Yet these twenty to thirty seconds on the odd highway trip can actually be one of the most dangerous actions you'll ever take on the road.
Car insurance can cover the odd dent, twist and even roll-over when it comes to your car, but it can do nothing to replace you as a driver, or your passengers, if your overtaking manoeuvre fails. So today we look at the steps involved to successfully overtake, with a focus on highway overtaking where you must cross into an oncoming traffic lane in order to pass a car.

1. Put your headlights on

It's good driving practice to put your headlights on as soon as you hit that 110 km/hr zone anyway. However, if you're going to be pulling into an oncoming traffic lane, it is even more critical.

2. Make sure it is legal to overtake - double and broken lines

Those double lines are there for a reason - if the government doesn't feel that it is safe to overtake at a particular point, it probably isn't. There may be a cross road coming up, or a known black spot. Trust the lines!

- Double white lines means that neither side of the road can overtake
- Double lines with a broken line on your side means that only your side of the road can overtake
- Double lines with a broken line on the other side of the road means only the other side can overtake
- A single broken line means you can freely overtake... as long as it is safe

3. Watch out for upcoming intersections

There may be nobody approaching on the straight, but an overtaking manoeuvre can quickly turn into tragedy if somebody is turning out into the road from a side road. Accidents happen particularly when a car is turning left into the highway, as they usually only look to their right for oncoming traffic.

4. Ensure you have enough room - watch out for subtle changes in road height that can hide cars

Particularly on hot days, road haze can obscure subtle shifts in road height that may hide cars. Be POSITIVE there is nothing coming!

5. Check your rear view mirror and give way to those already overtaking

If you've been sitting behind a car for a long time and traffic has built up behind you, check your rear-view mirror before pulling out. Someone behind you may have also seen the gap. Give way to those already overtaking.

6. Be aware of the camber change in the road

Our roads are usually cambered so that the centre is slightly higher than the sides, and it can be quite off-putting when the usual feeling is reversed! Be aware that the camber will change, and that you'll have to put slight leftwards pressure on the steering wheel in order to stay straight, compared to the subtle rightwards pressure you would usually use.

7. Be aware of wind

If you are passing a truck, wind can be a major factor in your safety. Wind that you are blocked from when passing, but exposed to after getting past the bonnet of that truck can suddenly spear you off the road if it is strong enough. Try to avoid overtaking in strong wind conditions.

8. Get up to speed before you pull out

Don't pull out at your following speed and try to build speed in the wrong lane - minimize your time in the danger zone by getting up to overtaking speed before you pull out.

9. Can you speed while overtaking?

The police, the road rules, and your mother will tell you that it is never safe to speed, even while overtaking. Common sense often tells us that rules are less than hard and fast, and you may actually reduce your chance of making a car insurance claim if you speed a little while overtaking. Only speed in moderation (up to 10 km over the limit), and be extra careful.

10. Pull back in once you can see the other car's headlights in your rearview mirror

Don't endanger the other car by pulling back in too soon - when you see their headlights in your rear view mirror, it is safe to pull back in."

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