Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Highway Code - Using the road ( Overtaking )

The Highway Code Introduction

The Highway Code - Rules for drivers and motorcyclists ( 89-102 )

162) Before overtaking you should make sure
the road is sufficiently clear ahead
road users are not beginning to overtake you
there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.

163)
Overtake only when it is safe and legal
to do so.
You should
not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
use your mirrors, signal when it is safe to do so, take a quick sideways glance if necessary into the blind spot area and then start to move out
not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle
move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking, once you have started to overtake. Allow plenty of room. Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut in
Highway Code - Alcohol And Drugs
take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to
judge speed and distance
give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or
other obstructions on your side of the road
only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn
right, and there is room to do so
stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue
on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass
on the left
give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room
as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211-215 ).

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Remember: Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre
164)
Large vehicles. Overtaking these is more difficult. You should
drop back. This will increase your ability to see ahead and should allow the driver of the large vehicle to see you in their mirrors. Getting too close to large vehicles, including agricultural vehicles such as a tractor with a trailer or other fixed equipment, will obscure your view of the road ahead and there may be another slow-moving vehicle in front
make sure that you have enough room to complete your overtaking manoeuvre before committing yourself. It takes longer to pass a large vehicle. If in doubt do not overtake
Highway Code - Alcohol And Drugs
not assume you can follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking a
long vehicle. If a problem develops, they may abort overtaking
and pull back in.
165) You MUST NOT overtake
if you would have to cross or straddle double white lines with a
solid line nearest to you (but see Rule 129)
if you would have to enter an area designed to divide traffic, if it
is surrounded by a solid white line
the nearest vehicle to a pedestrian crossing, especially when it
has stopped to let pedestrians cross
if you would have to enter a lane reserved for buses, trams or
cycles during its hours of operation
after a ‘No Overtaking' sign and until you pass a sign cancelling
the restriction.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD regs 10, 22, 23 & 24,
ZPPPCRGD reg 24 

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166) DO NOT overtake if there is any doubt, or where you cannot see far
enough ahead to be sure it is safe. For example, when you are
approaching
a corner or bend
a hump bridge
the brow of a hill
167) DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other
road users. For example
approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road
where the road narrows
when approaching a school crossing patrol
between the kerb and a bus or tram when it is at a stop
where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works
when you would force another road user to swerve or slow
down
at a level crossing
when a road user is indicating right, even if you believe the
signal should have been cancelled. Do not take a risk; wait
for the signal to be cancelled
stay behind if you are following a cyclist approaching a
roundabout or junction, and you intend to turn left
when a tram is standing at a kerbside tram stop and there is
no clearly marked passing lane for other traffic
168) Being Overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a
steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle
pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving
unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop
back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls
into the gap in front of you.

169) Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a
large or slow moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if
necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.