Overtaking Speed
Discussion
Firstly I realise this may be a 'grey' area, but I'm keen to know if there is any bottom line on this.
Picture the scene. Long stream of say 4-5 cars all doing 55mph, lovely day (sunny, birds tweeting etc), wide open country b-road road thats clear enough to overtake and certainly safe to do do if one was to pin the throttle...
I realise that when overtaking one must take care to ensure other cars are not going to pull out in front of you etc and that pinning the throttle wide open in a Zonda may be taking the piss so to speak, but should I be expected to pass all these cars at 60mph (might take a while) or is it deemed acceptable to put a 'blind eye' to the speedo under circumstances like this, when conditions permit?
Obviously if you get caught speeding you face the consequences etc.
Have read threads where people have safely overtaken a huge line of cars and just want to know what the more advanced of you on here think.
Cheers.
Picture the scene. Long stream of say 4-5 cars all doing 55mph, lovely day (sunny, birds tweeting etc), wide open country b-road road thats clear enough to overtake and certainly safe to do do if one was to pin the throttle...
I realise that when overtaking one must take care to ensure other cars are not going to pull out in front of you etc and that pinning the throttle wide open in a Zonda may be taking the piss so to speak, but should I be expected to pass all these cars at 60mph (might take a while) or is it deemed acceptable to put a 'blind eye' to the speedo under circumstances like this, when conditions permit?
Obviously if you get caught speeding you face the consequences etc.
Have read threads where people have safely overtaken a huge line of cars and just want to know what the more advanced of you on here think.
Cheers.
I find it remarkably hard to safely overtake a long line of traffic, regardless of ones attitude towards the speed limit.
Considerably easier is to take them one at a time and have a drop in point, although maintain an offside position whilst confirming the next hop is on (or not).
If they don't want you to pass then you can't do it safely -- you may have to wait.
I would be very wary of having a huge passing speed -- it takes away a lot of flexibility for the small benefit in reduction of time spent offside. But you do want to pass briskly...
Considerably easier is to take them one at a time and have a drop in point, although maintain an offside position whilst confirming the next hop is on (or not).
If they don't want you to pass then you can't do it safely -- you may have to wait.
I would be very wary of having a huge passing speed -- it takes away a lot of flexibility for the small benefit in reduction of time spent offside. But you do want to pass briskly...
The law may well see it in a more black-and-white way, but most advanced drivers will accept the risk of a brief transgression in return for the safety benefit of getting it done quickly.
However, you can got too far. If you keep accelerating hard throughout you'll have a big speed differential on the last target vehicle, and as a result fewer options if you need to alter your plan.
Try treating each vehicle (or perhaps pair of vehicles) as a seperate overtake. As you pass each one, make the decision whether or not to go for the next. Make five small decisions, rather than one big 's
t or bust' one.
However, you can got too far. If you keep accelerating hard throughout you'll have a big speed differential on the last target vehicle, and as a result fewer options if you need to alter your plan.
Try treating each vehicle (or perhaps pair of vehicles) as a seperate overtake. As you pass each one, make the decision whether or not to go for the next. Make five small decisions, rather than one big 's
t or bust' one.Bah - beaten to it by 7db
I think you'll find there are two answers to this question.
The 'common sense'/'safety' perspective: Go as fast as is appropriate to minimise risk to yourself and others. (i.e. don't stay on the wrong side of the road for longer than you need to whilst also not going dangerously fast.)
The 'official'/'legal' perspective: The speed limit is the speed limit. There is no exemption while you're overtaking. Therefore if you can't overtake safely while adhereing to the limit then the overtake isn't 'on'.
If you exceed the limit while overtaking you are throwing yourself on the common sense/mercy of whoever or whatever might catch you.
I think you'll find that's about as clear as it gets... which is as clear as mud unfortunalty.
(To make things more complex there was a guy on here called R_U_Local, a police driver I think, who used to publish off duty overtaking videos to demo technique but would never show his speedo in the video.)
The 'common sense'/'safety' perspective: Go as fast as is appropriate to minimise risk to yourself and others. (i.e. don't stay on the wrong side of the road for longer than you need to whilst also not going dangerously fast.)
The 'official'/'legal' perspective: The speed limit is the speed limit. There is no exemption while you're overtaking. Therefore if you can't overtake safely while adhereing to the limit then the overtake isn't 'on'.
If you exceed the limit while overtaking you are throwing yourself on the common sense/mercy of whoever or whatever might catch you.
I think you'll find that's about as clear as it gets... which is as clear as mud unfortunalty.
(To make things more complex there was a guy on here called R_U_Local, a police driver I think, who used to publish off duty overtaking videos to demo technique but would never show his speedo in the video.)
I tend to turn a blind eye to the speedometer (not that in matters much in a 1.4 Almera 
) because in the case of a single car overtake I want it done as quickly and safely as possible.
If there are a few cars with reasonable gaps between them, then I would accelerate to a good speed differential (30 odd mph perhaps?) and be ready to pull in at any time. However, in the case of a solid line of cars following close together that for example I encountered today, where abaorting would not be possible, I would pin the throttle until the over take is complete, but only attempt the overtake where the visability is excellent and there is ALOT of space to complete the manouver.
) because in the case of a single car overtake I want it done as quickly and safely as possible.If there are a few cars with reasonable gaps between them, then I would accelerate to a good speed differential (30 odd mph perhaps?) and be ready to pull in at any time. However, in the case of a solid line of cars following close together that for example I encountered today, where abaorting would not be possible, I would pin the throttle until the over take is complete, but only attempt the overtake where the visability is excellent and there is ALOT of space to complete the manouver.
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
The law may well see it in a more black-and-white way, but most advanced drivers will accept the risk of a brief transgression in return for the safety benefit of getting it done quickly.
However, you can got too far. If you keep accelerating hard throughout you'll have a big speed differential on the last target vehicle, and as a result fewer options if you need to alter your plan.
Try treating each vehicle (or perhaps pair of vehicles) as a seperate overtake. As you pass each one, make the decision whether or not to go for the next. Make five small decisions, rather than one big 'st or bust' one.
That's fine assuming there is a sociable gap between each, lest you get a Sec 3 allegation against you. The likelihood is that there won't be a suitable gap between each & every one.However, you can got too far. If you keep accelerating hard throughout you'll have a big speed differential on the last target vehicle, and as a result fewer options if you need to alter your plan.
Try treating each vehicle (or perhaps pair of vehicles) as a seperate overtake. As you pass each one, make the decision whether or not to go for the next. Make five small decisions, rather than one big 's
t or bust' one.Bah - beaten to it by 7db
vonhosen said:
That's fine assuming there is a sociable gap between each, lest you get a Sec 3 allegation against you. The likelihood is that there won't be a suitable gap between each & every one.
You know those people that drive well below the limit, but so close to the vehicle in front that they prevent overtaking?Wouldn't it be great if they got done for inconsiderate driving too.
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
vonhosen said:
That's fine assuming there is a sociable gap between each, lest you get a Sec 3 allegation against you. The likelihood is that there won't be a suitable gap between each & every one.
You know those people that drive well below the limit, but so close to the vehicle in front that they prevent overtaking?Wouldn't it be great if they got done for inconsiderate driving too.
vonhosen said:
They may be looking for an overtake, just haven't found one that they are happy with yet.
I think the kind of driver we're talking about here is not looking to pass. They're just locked on to the truck in front, following at the distance they feel comfortable with (which strangely is always less than 2 seconds), oblivious to everyone else on the road.You can usually tell the ones that are looking - they're out and looking, not tucked up behind.
As an enthusiast amateur here's my take FWIW: with rather more oomph available than the '1.4 Almera'... I do not 'see', plan or execute overtakes more than one car at a time*; and in securing a safe overtake, will risk / incur a modest speed transgression to minimise exposure.
Just to add - I am not suggesting I simply pile past at every opportunity at all!
Just to add - I am not suggesting I simply pile past at every opportunity at all!
- Because I've no idea what may happen 'up the line', and consider the necesary speed differential will probably give less opportunity to abort safely.
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
I think the kind of driver we're talking about here is not looking to pass. They're just locked on to the truck in front, following at the distance they feel comfortable with (which strangely is always less than 2 seconds), oblivious to everyone else on the road.
You can usually tell the ones that are looking - they're out and looking, not tucked up behind.
From my experience one cannot make your assumption.You can usually tell the ones that are looking - they're out and looking, not tucked up behind.
That one "locked onto the truck in front" will, suddenly, pull out and go.
Without any obvious planning.
"Oblivious", as you say.
Another problem when one overtakes in these situations is that others then "wake up" and decide to join in, such that one has to be aware of the following overtaker and consider gaps to allow both into or that the follower might then want to precede oneself.
vonhosen said:
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
vonhosen said:
That's fine assuming there is a sociable gap between each, lest you get a Sec 3 allegation against you. The likelihood is that there won't be a suitable gap between each & every one.
You know those people that drive well below the limit, but so close to the vehicle in front that they prevent overtaking?Wouldn't it be great if they got done for inconsiderate driving too.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
vonhosen said:
They may be looking for an overtake, just haven't found one that they are happy with yet.
I think the kind of driver we're talking about here is not looking to pass. They're just locked on to the truck in front, following at the distance they feel comfortable with (which strangely is always less than 2 seconds), oblivious to everyone else on the road.You can usually tell the ones that are looking - they're out and looking, not tucked up behind.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
p1esk said:
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
vonhosen said:
They may be looking for an overtake, just haven't found one that they are happy with yet.
I think the kind of driver we're talking about here is not looking to pass. They're just locked on to the truck in front, following at the distance they feel comfortable with (which strangely is always less than 2 seconds), oblivious to everyone else on the road.You can usually tell the ones that are looking - they're out and looking, not tucked up behind.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Do beware of those that dither and then decide to overtake, though!
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