Last update ~ 6th April 2012 ~ CS

Blackpool & Fylde Advanced Motorists Group

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A moving vehicle is a complex dynamic hazard that requires you to change speed and position, so by definition, overtaking is the act of overtaking a moving hazard.  We are not here going to go into the delicate balance of observations to be made before you consider the action as “Roadcraft” is quite clearly laid out to cover all aspects of the procedure.

What we want to achieve on this page is a brief description and create an aide-memoire for you to remember that the principle of the “overtaking triangle” is not per se such a complex issue but one that you should consider every time you do take on that overtake procedure but suffice it to say that you will be following the system of car control to the letter.

                          In summary, the principles of overtaking one or more moving vehicles can be answered like this ......

         Is there a safe opportunity to overtake?  

Here is a series of questions that you can ask yourself as you practice this manoeuvre ......

a)   Did I have enough information to be sure I was safe at every stage of it?,

b)   Was my positioning correct at every stage?,

c)   Was I in the correct gear at every stage?,

d)   Did I always reach the return gap in good time?,

e)   Was the return gap always big enough? And

f)   Did I miss out on any other overtaking opportunities on my drive?

Point 1

The Following Position

Is the overtake of the target vehicle “A” necessary and is it safe to do so? ....

Use each phase of the system of car control in sequence as always and if the overtake is still considered possible at this stage, select the most appropriate gear for the overtaking gear ... maybe 3rd or maybe even 2nd as you are about to move closer from your two- second rule position towards a distance of only one-second from the target car and you need a degree of flexibility, not only for the acceleration of that gear but also for the effect of the engine braking you might need from that gear.

Point 2a) & 2b)

The Overtaking Position

From your following position at the one-second gap (Point 2a), you must have a commanding view to the front to decide whether you can successfully overtake or not.  

In that “following position”, you cannot take that decision very easily.

Again at this stage you must maintain the system of car control,  so most importantly, information has to be gathered and used. You cannot effectively give any information to any other road user for the moment because you haven’t yet decided to overtake.

Not forgetting to see what is to the sides and to the rear of you, to gain a full commanding view of the road ahead in particular, you can if you wish, take up a position a little closer to the target vehicle “A” but slightly towards and over the middle road markings. (Shown as Point 2b)

If the overtake is not going to be possible, then you simply return from Point 2b) to your following position to recalculate the overtake.

A warning here in relation to over the middle road markings... a professional emergency response driver will have no hesitation about going onto the other side of the road for that commanding view ....

For your Advanced Driving test however, please read what guidance on the Examiner’s Expectations page of this web site provide for you on this point and follow it.

Point 3

The Overtake Manoeuvre

In your overtaking position you are potentially at risk as you are on the wrong side of the road and you will now need to move through the overtake as briskly as possible.

The target vehicle driver should now be aware of your intentions but you can alert his or her attention to your position further, by either a flash of the headlights or a beep on the horn.  

Once you have committed yourself, based upon your assessment of your safety, you must now complete the overtake and enter the gap you have identified.

Point 4

The Return Position

Once you have safely passed the target vehicle(s), then do not “steer” back to your normal road position, gradually “ease” your way back to that position, essentially in a straight line, just as if you were travelling along the edge of the long side of the overtaking triangle ... the hypotenuse

NO

Any doubts ... Hold back

YES

So overtake then ...but remember to deal with what you have already seen ahead before you decided to move ....

Sort out a safe return gap in front of the vehicle you have just overtaken

Decide whether you have the opportunity to overtake further

vehicles ahead of you

By way of an explanation of the principles of the overtaking triangle, please have a look at the notes below and then see how they relate to the moving diagram to the right ......

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