If you think driving is easy and knowing some maneuvers and road rules is enough, you’re very wrong! Learning to drive is not just about handling a vehicle, it’s also about handling real-world scenarios and unexpected issues on the road. Overtaking is one such crucial maneuver that looks easy but requires good skills, road awareness, and has significant risks. Miscalculating the time or place to overtake another vehicle can cause severe accidents. Whether you’re a new driver learning at a driving school or an experienced driver trying to learn defensive techniques at a Safer Drivers Course, knowing when to overtake and when to wait is essential for safety. In a vast country like Australia, where road rules vary according to state, knowing when to overtake also depends on your knowledge of the local road laws. This post will discuss the key circumstances where you should avoid overtaking another vehicle.
Situations When You Should Never Overtake
1. On Curves and Bends
Driving along a road with curves can be exciting, but it is also risky, especially if you want to overtake another. When driving on curves, you cannot see the oncoming traffic and your visibility at the front is also affected by the winding landscape around you. So, it’s already difficult to see the vehicles driving ahead. But if you attempt overtaking in such a situation, you can’t see if a vehicle appears on the curve and so you won’t be able to react appropriately. This increases the risks and makes overtaking dangerous.
2. Near Intersections
Imagine you’re trying to overtake the vehicle ahead of you at an intersection and another car suddenly enters your lane from the side lane. Avoiding a crash in such situations is very difficult. Intersections are busy places with vehicles usually taking sudden turns or blocking your way. That’s why there are specific rules and road etiquette of driving at an intersection that everyone follows. If you try to overtake another vehicle at such a busy, chaotic, and unpredictable area, there is a high chance of accidents or collisions happening.
3. On Narrow or Single-Lane Roads
Whether it’s a small village or a big city, you’re bound to encounter narrow or single-lane roads sometimes. Such small roads are made only for single vehicle traffic, so they might not have space for two vehicles to drive together. Trying to overtake a vehicle ahead of you on such tight roads is risky and challenging. There are chances that you or the other driver may have to drive off the road to avoid a collision. It’s better to avoid attempting to pass another vehicle in such narrow spaces.
4. In Poor Weather Conditions
Adverse weather conditions are always a challenge for the drivers. Heavy rains, dense fog, or snow can reduce visibility and make driving a challenge. But that’s not all! These weather conditions also affect the roads, making them wet and slippery. Driving on slippery roads reduces your reaction time and increases the car’s braking distance. Plus, the difficult weather can make you misjudge distances or lose control when speeding. Hence, it’s better to never overtake another car when driving in poor weather conditions.
5. Near Pedestrian Crossings
Ever had your Sydney Driving School instructor tell you that overtaking at pedestrian crossings is a recipe for disaster? In Australia, pedestrians have the right of way at pedestrian crossings. Drivers are expected to wait and let them pass no matter the situation. So, if you attempt overtaking a vehicle near a pedestrian crossing and a pedestrian suddenly starts crossing, what can you do? You won’t get enough time to stop and may end up crashing or hurting somebody. Hence, it’s advised to slow down when driving near pedestrian crossings and avoid overtaking.
6. On Roads with “No Overtaking” Signs
If a road says “No Overtaking”, don’t take it lightly. Road signs are made to guide drivers to drive safely and avoid chaos on the road. The “No Overtaking” is only placed on a road if it is truly unsafe to overtake. It can be due to many different reasons like low visibility, frequent curves, chances of wildlife crossing the road, etc. So, it’s always better to heed such signs and avoid overtaking in such situations.
7. When the Vehicle Ahead Is Indicating a Turn
Driving may be an individual activity but it also involves interactions with other elements and people. Drivers on the road signal each other to announce their intentions or warn others of any hazard ahead. So, when the driver ahead of you signals a turn, don’t take it lightly. Instead of attempting to overtake a turning vehicle, wait until they’ve turned before deciding what to do. This can help you avoid the danger of a collision when the other vehicle is turning.
8. In Heavy Traffic
Yes, we all know how frustrating traffic jams can be! But that’s no reason to put your lives at risk by trying to overtake in such conditions. Congested roads cannot give you the space required to make your turn. They increase the risk of small crashes while overtaking and also slow down the traffic unnecessarily. Hence, it’s better to stay stuck in traffic for a few minutes than risk everyone’s lives while overtaking.
Stay Safe on the Road with Smart Overtaking Decisions
Safe driving is not just about learning defensive driving techniques from a Safer Drivers Course. It’s also about staying patient and road-aware while driving and taking quick decisions when needed. Learning the rules of overtaking and knowing when to hold back and wait while driving are essential skills of a responsible driver. While a driving instructor can teach you about these rules, learning and mastering them depends on the individual. Learning from qualified experts in a trusted driving school like Onroad Driving Education can help you master these skills and become a safer, confident, and more responsible driver.
Ready to improve your driving skills? Join Onroad Driving Education today to get tailored driving lessons from our expert instructors and take a step towards safer and smarter driving!