How to overtake safely: driving masterclass

Overtaking is one of the most safety-critical and therefore potentially dangerous aspects of driving, yet in spite of this, few drivers get taught how to do it. Some even consider overtaking an unnecessary evil and react aggressively to being passed, but when done properly and completed safely, an overtake can be a joy to execute or watch.

A successful overtake requires a seamless blend of safety, courtesy and sensibility. This means there is a lot to think about if we are to get it right.

Let’s start with the basics. When considering overtaking another car, ask yourself: Is it safe? Is it legal? Is it necessary? Only once these criteria have been considered and justified can we look deeper into the specific planning and techniques necessary for skilled overtaking. It must be pointed out that there are no grey areas when considering an overtake: it’s either safe or unsafe, yes or no. There can be no ‘maybe’ or ‘probably’!

> How to position your car on the road: driving masterclass

If you decide that an overtake is appropriate then it’s best to follow a structured process that ensures confidence, safety and effectiveness throughout the manoeuvre. Here’s a breakdown of the steps that will help you achieve that.

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The overtaking method

• Never follow the vehicle you are hoping to overtake too closely. This impedes the essential visual scanning that acutely affects the planning process.
• Check your mirrors to gain awareness of any following vehicles, their speed and whether they could be planning to overtake you.
• Next, assess the forward view. Visually sweep the totality of the visible road ahead to check for anything that may mean the overtake may not be completed safely. Assess any upcoming traffic situations and look for any potential hazards such as junctions, driveways and blind entrances, cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians – the list is endless – as well as checking the whole road surface ahead. If your observational processing says no, then it’s a no!
• If it’s possible and safe to do so, and while remaining within your current lane, position your car so you can look up the inside or outside of the vehicle in front, or even underneath it, to enhance your forward view.
• If you decide to continue with the overtake, signal early to confirm your intention to move out from behind the vehicle in front and to allow others around you time to notice your signal and be prepared for your manoeuvre.
• Ensure there is sufficient distance and time to complete the overtake without encountering or endangering oncoming vehicles – either already visible or potential. Consider the expected ‘Time Exposed to Danger’ (TED) too, i.e. how long you will be driving on the ‘other side of the road’.
• Select a lower gear if necessary (even in an automatic) to ensure the engine is in the optimal part of its rev range to maximise power and torque delivery.
• If it’s still safe to do so, begin to move your car into the right-hand lane to further improve your view of the road ahead. But don’t apply more power yet!
• Instead, take advantage of the improved view to fully scan the road and confirm that your overtake will be totally safe.
• At the same time, ensure there will be a clear path to return to the left-hand lane after you have passed the slower car.
• If you decide not to overtake, move back in behind the vehicle you were hoping to pass. This is why you shouldn’t accelerate immediately upon extending your road positioning, because not doing so makes it easier and safer to fall back in behind the vehicle you were looking to overtake if you decide not to go ahead.
• If you confirm that it’s a ‘go’ situation, accelerate decisively to minimise the time spent in the opposite lane. Ensure sufficient speed to complete the overtake quickly and return to the left-hand lane. The shorter the TED, the safer the overtake will be.
• Lastly, consider thanking the driver you’ve just overtaken for their assistance – I find a gentle wave of the left hand works well.

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As you can see, overtaking is a complex manoeuvre that carries inherent risks that need managing, plus perfect judgment of speed and distance. It must be approached with attentiveness and precise planning.

Of the utmost importance is understanding when not to overtake. You should avoid overtaking on curves and hill crests or in poor visibility conditions such fog or heavy rain, or at night unless the road is well lit. Pay attention to road markings and signs, too, as they could make overtaking illegal, and refrain from overtaking near intersections or pedestrian crossings. Always prioritise safety over risk-taking, as if it all goes wrong, often there are no second chances.

However, overtaking can be safe when carried out with careful consideration of the conditions, awareness of your surroundings, and adherence to defensive driving and risk management. Learn the above steps by heart so you can go through them systematically yet quickly, and you should find you can overtake calmly and consistently whenever the need or desire arises and the situation is favourable. – Paul Ripley

This story was first featured in evo issue 328.