Overtaking When Following

Quick video demo, keep in mind this was shot where they drive on the wrong side of the road but the principles are all there:

 

 Stage 1 – The following position

Your task in the following position is to observe and assess the road and traffic conditions for a suitable opportunity to overtake safely.

Ask yourself:

• Is the driver aware of your presence?
• Does the road layout present a hazard?
• Are drivers behind you likely to overtake you?
• Is there adequate distance to overtake and return within a safe gap?

Your safety will depend on accurate interpretation of what you see. If there is any gray area, do not pass!

Stage 2 – The overtaking position

The overtaking position minimizes the distance you have to travel to pass so it will be closer than the following position. 

Closer also means less time to react to the actions of the vehicle in front, so be sure there are no  hazards ahead which might cause the vehicle in front to brake suddenly.

Work through the 5 phases to move up to the overtaking position.

Information

Scan for hazards and look for an opportunity to safely occupy the overtaking position. Consider rear observation for your blind spots.

Position

Move up to the overtaking position. This is the closest point to the vehicle in front that gives sufficient view of the road ahead.

Look to the left of the vehicle and right (closest to the road edge) and through the windows. 

Do not sit in the blind spot of any vehicles you intend to overtake.

Be aware that the closer you get to the vehicle in front the more likely you are to intimidate the driver.

The larger the vehicle in front the further back you need to be.

Speed

Adjust your speed to that of the vehicle in front.

Gear

Select the most responsive gear for the speed, bearing in mind that this is the gear you will use to accelerate as you overtake.

As the overtaking position is closer than the following position you must observe carefully for any new hazards. If a hazard comes into sight, consider dropping back to the following position until the hazard is passed.

Stage 3 – Overtaking

From the overtaking position continue observing until you identify an opportunity to overtake, then re-run the system of motorcycle control to guide you while overtaking.

Information

Identify:

• a safe stretch of road along which you have adequate vision
• a gap into which you can safely return
• the speed of any approaching vehicles
• the relative speed of your own bike and the vehicle(s) you intend to overtake
• what is happening behind – consider the need for rear observation
• any road or landscape features that could conceal a rapidly approaching vehicle

Position

Having made a thorough information check ahead and decided it is safe to go, consider the need for rear observation, give any necessary signals and move out to the opposing lane. Generally, do this without accelerating.

From this new position make a thorough information check of the road ahead and behind for any unidentified hazards. Decide whether to continue overtaking.

Speed

Overtake if the situation is clear, adjusting your speed if necessary. While you are in the opposing lane you are in a zone of potential danger so move through it as briskly as possible.

Gear

Before overtaking you should have selected a suitable gear. Sometimes circumstances may require another gear change but you should generally avoid this during the overtaking maneuver.

Acceleration

Adjust your speed to complete the overtaking maneuver safely and to enter the gap you have identified. Where possible, use acceleration sense to adjust your speed, but use the brakes if necessary.