Overtaking can be lethal!
In advanced, defensive driving we implement the “LSW Rule for Overtaking” which stands for “Legal”, “Safe” and “Worthwhile”. It works as follows:
- When planning to overtake a slow-moving vehicle, ensure that you leave sufficient gap between your vehicle and the one that you are following, so that you can easily view on-coming vehicles on the right-hand side and possible bicycles or pedestrians on the left. By driving too close to the vehicle you wish to overtake, your braking distance is compromised and you reduced your angle of visibility by a huge margin.
- Check to see if it is legal to overtake. This is easily determined by the relevant road traffic sign or road marking.
- Just because it is legal to overtake does not mean that it is safe to do so. Observe carefully, to the front, to ensure that there is no vehicle approaching. Also, do not forget to check your interior and exterior, driver-side mirror plus the blind-spot to the right to see if there are any vehicles already overtaking.
- The next question to ask is: “Is it worthwhile?” to endanger lives just to be a few car lengths agead or save a few minutes?
- If you decide overtaking is safe and necessary, then signal your intention and select the correct gear to make sure that you build up sufficient power and momentum to pass the slower vehicle. Remember, you cannot also overtake a vehicle, if the vehicle in front of you has already commenced overtaking. He/she needs to complete the manouvre before you can do so.
Pass the vehicle being overtaken swiftly, check your interior mirror, followed by your exterior mirror to the left and signal your intention to re-enter the lane, when it is safe to do so meaning that you have provided sufficient gap and not cutting in from of the vehicle being overtaken.
