On overtaking.
On overtaking.
Lookign fro an opinion, and it's about cars and driving for once!
So you are on a fast A road when you come upon a long line of slow moving traffic, say a dozen vehicles or so moving at between 30-40 mph. The front vehicle is a camper van or truck. You sit in lie long enough to establish no-one is going to overtake, possibly the front vehicles have become those which can't do so (campers, other trucks etc).
What do you do?
Do you wait for a long enough straight to do them all in one glorious overtake?
Do you wait in line, after all you are in no great hurry?
Do you take them motorbike stylee, moving up the line 2-4 vehicles at a time, slotting in when you can?
Discuss...
So you are on a fast A road when you come upon a long line of slow moving traffic, say a dozen vehicles or so moving at between 30-40 mph. The front vehicle is a camper van or truck. You sit in lie long enough to establish no-one is going to overtake, possibly the front vehicles have become those which can't do so (campers, other trucks etc).
What do you do?
Do you wait for a long enough straight to do them all in one glorious overtake?
Do you wait in line, after all you are in no great hurry?
Do you take them motorbike stylee, moving up the line 2-4 vehicles at a time, slotting in when you can?
Discuss...
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'03 - '10 Starlight Black S2 111S
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'23 - ?? Evora
- thinfourth
- Posts: 3177
- Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:06 pm
- Location: Playing in the mud near aberdeen
Re: On overtaking.
I drive a landrover
I attempt to to keep up
I attempt to to keep up
Landrover 90 = Muddy shed spec
Fiat panda = Couldn't care less spec
Landrover ?? = Muddy shrek spec
Unimog 404S = Very slow silly offroader spec
Kubota F1900 = Snowplough spec
Fiat panda = Couldn't care less spec
Landrover ?? = Muddy shrek spec
Unimog 404S = Very slow silly offroader spec
Kubota F1900 = Snowplough spec
Re: On overtaking.
If possible do the lot, as leapfrogging seems to be unacceptable these days, plus cars tend not to leave sufficient room for overtakers to temporarily slip in.


Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
2017 Schkoda Yeti
2x Hairy GRs (not Toyota)
Now browsing the tech pages

---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
2017 Schkoda Yeti
2x Hairy GRs (not Toyota)
Now browsing the tech pages


- alicrozier
- Posts: 4389
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2005 12:58 pm
- Location: Aberdeen
Re: On overtaking.
Only a dozen...pah!
Seriously, overtake all if it's safe to do so. Watch out for speed differential and likelihood that one muggle in the queue may pull out to overtake.
Normally leapfrog is the only way in which case try to do so smoothly without braking...
Seriously, overtake all if it's safe to do so. Watch out for speed differential and likelihood that one muggle in the queue may pull out to overtake.
Normally leapfrog is the only way in which case try to do so smoothly without braking...
All characters appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Any references to laptimes, speed or driving on the public highway are purely for dramatic effect.
Any references to laptimes, speed or driving on the public highway are purely for dramatic effect.
- point n squirt
- Posts: 957
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Re: On overtaking.
People on hear have ended up in a real bad way just overtaking three cars when mid maneuver the mid car pulls out , mid car probably checked mirrors two seconds before then does not check again before pulling out,bang.
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Re: On overtaking.
Best to assume you can't pass them all, and move out - without accelerating initially - to assess gaps.
But fundamentally, if in doubt, don't overtake
Why. What have you done...
But fundamentally, if in doubt, don't overtake

Why. What have you done...
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Re: On overtaking.
I drive back road/B roads the majority of the time, more so now we have moved out the road again and this scenario is the bane of my life as most people drive with the intent of overtaking but not the will. For whatever reason they will sit 5 ft off the bumper in front and not even look for an opportunity to pass unless they can see a good mile in front.
Que hoping is the only way, you have to make a gap to get back in but most drop back when you pass them. That said, long enough clear road then all in one go but as Ali said watching the speed differential and keeping an eye on changing road position.
Que hoping is the only way, you have to make a gap to get back in but most drop back when you pass them. That said, long enough clear road then all in one go but as Ali said watching the speed differential and keeping an eye on changing road position.
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BMW M2 Comp
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BMW R1300GS
Re: On overtaking.
In my experience:
Sports car. Big revs. Very fast but safe overtake with a clean slot back into traffic = flashing lights and angry hand gestures.
Diesel sh*t box. Nobody cares.
On the commute there is absolutely no point in overtaking. It makes a few minutes difference to my arrival time. Overtaking is fun but I'm always thinking "If I get caught up in an accident, and that row of cars I just passed end up as witnesses, I'm sunk".
I suppose its all about how your overtake is percieved by the doddery folks.
Sports car. Big revs. Very fast but safe overtake with a clean slot back into traffic = flashing lights and angry hand gestures.
Diesel sh*t box. Nobody cares.
On the commute there is absolutely no point in overtaking. It makes a few minutes difference to my arrival time. Overtaking is fun but I'm always thinking "If I get caught up in an accident, and that row of cars I just passed end up as witnesses, I'm sunk".
I suppose its all about how your overtake is percieved by the doddery folks.

Re: On overtaking.
You whack the lot whichever way you can, then get hit by a Scam Van.
tut
tut
Re: On overtaking.
Varies depending on the vehicle & the situation:
A) Wait to overtake the whole line if possible but constantly watching for signs of any of the queue making the move too.
B)Leap frogging is probably an easier, lower speed option but does for whatever reason seem to often piss people off these days so once you pass the first one or two the rest bunch up with determination meaning option a) for the rest of the line.
C) if a or b can't be done safely accept the reduced velocity and longer journey time
A) Wait to overtake the whole line if possible but constantly watching for signs of any of the queue making the move too.
B)Leap frogging is probably an easier, lower speed option but does for whatever reason seem to often piss people off these days so once you pass the first one or two the rest bunch up with determination meaning option a) for the rest of the line.
C) if a or b can't be done safely accept the reduced velocity and longer journey time

2015 Lotus Evora
2022 Polestar 2 LRSM Plus
2023 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline
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2023 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline
Re: On overtaking.
ps:- best straight ever is on the A82 on the Glencoe road to FW on Tut Towers runs before the iron bridge, we used to get passed 20 in one overtake, safely as you could see miles ahead and over six events there was never a sign of the fuzz.
tut
tut
Re: On overtaking.
2nd gear, headlights on full beam, full boot, overtake the lot whilst waving at the inevitable moral outrage breaking out behind, probably keep the horn on all the way past too . . .
Can't remember my high score . . .
Can't remember my high score . . .
Re: On overtaking.
Good to see that you are as PC as ever Ferg........
tut
tut
Re: On overtaking.
Oh that makes me feel so much better.
Was leapfrogging and some c.nt in a van tried to drive me off the road. Had I been on my own I'd have pushed in as I would have been more committed (overtaking faster, braking harder) but I was being polite so he got a chance to close the gap on me and bloody did, damn near hitting me in the process.
It left me genuinely perplexed rather than angry. Wondering if someone had changed the rules whilst i wasn't looking.
Was leapfrogging and some c.nt in a van tried to drive me off the road. Had I been on my own I'd have pushed in as I would have been more committed (overtaking faster, braking harder) but I was being polite so he got a chance to close the gap on me and bloody did, damn near hitting me in the process.
It left me genuinely perplexed rather than angry. Wondering if someone had changed the rules whilst i wasn't looking.
'99 - '03 Titanium S1 111S.
'03 - '10 Starlight Black S2 111S
'11 - '17 S2 135R
'17 - '19 S2 Exige S+
'23 - ?? Evora
'03 - '10 Starlight Black S2 111S
'11 - '17 S2 135R
'17 - '19 S2 Exige S+
'23 - ?? Evora
Re: On overtaking.
No rules Pete, just treat all other road users as idiots that will do the exact opposite of what they should do, that way you are prepared.
Learnt that from my dad nearly sixty years ago when he taught me to drive.
tut
ps:- shut up Scotty....
Learnt that from my dad nearly sixty years ago when he taught me to drive.
tut
ps:- shut up Scotty....