Often, when we hear of head-on collision accidents, it may be as a result of reckless driving such as undertaking a risky overtaking manoeuvre. Overtaking can be the most dangerous practice if the following tips are not followed.
Before overtaking, first consider the risk1
Some motorists may overtake just for the sake of overtaking. We should ask ourselves, is it essential to overtake at that particular moment? It might be impatience that causes some motorists to overtake other cars in a risky manner.
Impatience is a killer on our roads1
You have been travelling for quite a few hours already, tired and hungry, and just want to get to your destination as soon as possible. We all know that feeling. Cruising at 120 km/h for a while, you now encounter a lorry travelling slowly uphill. The two lines in the middle of the road are by now solid, and you are wondering if you should not quickly overtake. What would be the harm in that?
Only overtake if you can tick the following boxes1
You must be able to agree with the following options before you decide to overtake:
- Can you see far enough ahead to decide whether it is safe?
Realize that it takes quite some time to overtake a vehicle, especially if it is a long truck with a trailer. Spend as little time as possible in the oncoming lane and ensure you can see far enough ahead before overtaking.
- Once I have overtaken, is there enough time and space?
It can happen that you have just completed the overtaking manoeuvre, only to find there is no space to get back into your lane, because a car happens to be in front of the vehicle you have just overtaken. That is why it is crucial to see all the cars involved before overtaking.
- Can I change my mind while overtaking?
Sometimes, while overtaking, the situation can suddenly change, forcing you to stop the manoeuvre, and return to your original spot as soon as possible. This can be tricky because in heavy traffic the car behind you could now be behind the vehicle you have been trying to overtake. By moving back, that car also needs to move around to be able to let you in. Sometimes, while overtaking, we “run out of” road as it were because the overtaking process is taking too long.
- Your position behind the vehicle you are planning to overtake
It is important how you position your car behind the vehicle you are planning to overtake. The power of your vehicle plays an import part as well. If you have to rely on a small 1-litre engine, you may either have to resort to overtaking the vehicle on a downhill, if that is possible, or wait for a section of road that stretches far ahead of you and where you can see any oncoming traffic from a distance. You cannot rely on your car’s performance to pull you out of trouble.
Have you purchased the best cover for your needs?
As you can see above, overtaking another car is always quite risky, therefore make sure your vehicle is adequately covered. If you are not completely satisfied with your current insurer, why not contact PMD for quotes on affordable car insurance with fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess*. T’s & C’s apply.
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
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