Overtaking is the most dangerous manoeuvre when driving a car. Moreover, it is equally dangerous for the overtaking vehicle, the overtaken vehicle, and oncoming vehicles. Overtaking is the most common cause of road traffic accidents.
Overtaking is the most dangerous manoeuvre when driving a car. Moreover, it is equally dangerous for the overtaking vehicle, the overtaken vehicle, and oncoming vehicles. Overtaking is the most common cause of road traffic accidents.
For reference:
In the evening of March 12, near the village of Zalessye, Polotsk district, a 63-year-old driver of a "Fiat" lost control on a bend. Entering the oncoming lane, he collided with a "Volkswagen Passat". A 65-year-old passenger of the "Fiat" died at the scene. The driver of the same car, as well as the 25-year-old driver and passenger of the "Volkswagen", were hospitalised.
On February 22, around 9 a.m., on the 118th kilometre of the "Saint Petersburg - Gomel - Ukraine border" highway, a collision involving three vehicles occurred. A 34-year-old man, who was driving a "Toyota", lost control and had a glancing collision with a "BMW", and then crashed into a "Ford". The driver of the "Toyota" died at the scene. A 31-year-old passenger of the same car and a young woman born in 1998, who was in the "Ford", were taken to the hospital.
On January 20, around 11 a.m., on the 108th kilometre of the "Vitebsk-Polotsk-Latvian Republic border" highway, a tractor and a "MAZ" logging truck collided. A 46-year-old driver of the logging truck, while overtaking, had a glancing collision with a tractor driven by a driver born in 1966. As a result of the accident, a 54-year-old man was taken to the hospital.
The State Automobile Inspectorate reminds that for violating overtaking rules, Part 9 of Article 18.13 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus, a fine ranging from 2 to 10 base units is prescribed, and deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for up to 1 year, or without deprivation of the right to drive vehicles.
Recommendations for drivers:
If you are overtaking:
Constantly monitor the
situation around you. Ensure that no one is overtaking you at the moment you
begin your manoeuvre. You must have a clear view of the road ahead and refrain
from overtaking on ascents, bends, and in places where pedestrians are present or
their unexpected appearance is possible (in urban areas, for example, near
schools).
You must also refrain from overtaking a vehicle that is slowing down or
deviating from a straight path.
It is most difficult to overtake large vehicles or groups of small vehicles. In either case, do not approach too closely from behind. A distance is necessary in this case for acceleration and for better visibility of the road. Also, when approaching the vehicle being overtaken, you can move left and right for better control of the road situation ahead.
Overtaking involves performing three manoeuvres. These are changing lanes to the oncoming traffic lane, overtaking, and changing back to your lane.
For a good and safe manoeuvre at night, it is necessary to know the route perfectly. You should start overtaking with dipped headlights. The main beam can only be switched on after you have drawn level with the vehicle being overtaken.
If you are being overtaken:
Someone may always be driving faster. Allow them to overtake. At the moment of overtaking, if there are no oncoming vehicles, do not accelerate, but do not brake either. If an oncoming vehicle appears, you need to act according to the situation. Most often, many drivers advise to pull over to the right and brake. This is correct, but with a slight exception. Indeed, if the overtaking vehicle has already overtaken your vehicle by at least half a car length, it is better to follow the advice and brake while pulling over to the right. If, however, it has only just started to overtake, you should pull over to the right without changing speed. In this case, the driver of the overtaking vehicle will have the opportunity to abandon the overtake and fall back behind you. Otherwise, a situation of simultaneous braking may arise, which will not be liked by the drivers of oncoming vehicles.