Over-taking a block of cars

[Porker]

There's such a thing as knowing what you don't know too. That's not to say there aren't unknown unknowns as well.

However, hedgelines, brick walls and the like can restrict lateral visibility to a degree which makes an overtake more risky and perhaps worth deferring. This is an echo of Von's point regarding the safe speed rule, i.e. "...and can reasonably expect to remain clear."

P.

[Adamantus]

Based on personal experience I've come up with the following strategy.

The moment you're in an overtaking position, you do it, then realise there's a car coming the other way, get in comfortably but then promise never to do it again. For this reason I have a rule never to overtake on single lane roads; it's just too dangerous. For one thing there are concealed junctions and people coming out don't always look both ways. So I say stick to the dual-carriageway sections.

Also you have to be aware of the limitations of your vehicle. I only have a 1.3 Ford Ka so I stick to 2 cars or one truck rule, that way I stay out of trouble.

Use the situation to learn to become more calm, perhaps the slow drivers have a point, at least in some cases.

[ScoobyChris]

For this reason I have a rule never to overtake on single lane roads; it's just too dangerous.

Not aimed at you, btw, but sadly this viewpoint seems to be becoming more and more commonplace. Have you considered enrolling in some advanced training to find out how one can overtake safely on single carriageway roads?

Chris

[zadocbrown]

Based on personal experience I've come up with the following strategy.

The moment you're in an overtaking position, you do it, then realise there's a car coming the other way, get in comfortably but then promise never to do it again. For this reason I have a rule never to overtake on single lane roads; it's just too dangerous. For one thing there are concealed junctions and people coming out don't always look both ways. So I say stick to the dual-carriageway sections.

Also you have to be aware of the limitations of your vehicle. I only have a 1.3 Ford Ka so I stick to 2 cars or one truck rule, that way I stay out of trouble.

Use the situation to learn to become more calm, perhaps the slow drivers have a point, at least in some cases.

Are you being ironic?

You can do a lot with 1.3l

[PeterE]

For this reason I have a rule never to overtake on single lane roads; it's just too dangerous.

What, not even cyclists and tractors?

Anyway, I hope you leave a decent gap so those who are prepared to overtake are given a chance.

[PeterE]

You can do a lot with 1.3l

Yes, most of successful overtaking is down to proper observation and timing, not power as such. I've seen people do successful overtakes in 2CVs

[GJD]

get in comfortably but then promise never to do it again.

If you got in comfortably, why would you want to never do it again?

Use the situation to learn to become more calm, perhaps the slow drivers have a point, at least in some cases.

Calmness and overtaking are not mutually exclusive. You're best off you make them coincide.

[jont]

Also you have to be aware of the limitations of your vehicle. I only have a 1.3 Ford Ka so I stick to 2 cars or one truck rule, that way I stay out of trouble.

I wonder if the Stressed one fancies demonstrating what a 1.3 Ka is capable of...

[TripleS]

I've done a string of 13 at once in a Ka before now, but that was because it was a queue behind a convoy and no-one else thought it appropriate...

....and of course the fact that he'd already cunningly slipped a 4.2 litre 300 bhp V8 into the car might also have had a bearing on his range of options.

OTOH the huge bulge in the bonnet might have made his forward vision a bit more tricky....

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[TripleS]

Leave it out guv, there's folks 'ere wots young and innocent....like me.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[TiJay]

I've done a string of 13 at once in a Ka before now, but that was because it was a queue behind a convoy and no-one else thought it appropriate...

I overtook a block of 6 cars in my old 1.25 Fiesta during my IAM training... Lack of power doesn't mean you can't overtake, you just need more room and more planning

[Gromit37]

Never overtake a thing? Never overtake on a single lane road? Perhaps we should never stop on a road or turn right. If I recall correctly, rear end shunts and being struck when turning across oncoming traffic are the most numerous road "accidents" in the UK. Maybe this AD lark is getting too sanitised

[heeloth]

The "safest" way to overtake a block of cars that are close together? Don't do it.

[Standard Dave]

The "safest" way to overtake a block of cars that are close together? Don't do it.

Care to add a reason for that?

[ExadiNigel]

The "safest" way to overtake a block of cars that are close together? Don't do it.

Surely that depends on the situation? How far ahead can you see? How many cars? How close together? How fast are they travelling?