Overtaking Rules - Traffic Congestion

Overtaking needs an appropriate consideration and efficiency because the driver will use the other lane and increase the speed. The negligence in overtaking can cause accident between the overtaking vehicle, overtaken vehicle and oncoming vehicle. There are some conditions where overtaking is not allowed such as in a hill top, corners, blind turns, where there are overtaking prohibited signs, at pedestrian crossing, at double line paint marking and at the area where the view is limited.

Overtaking vehicle should be on the right lane of the overtaken vehicle when committing overtaking movement. When the lead vehicle decides to take a right turn, it is allowed to overtake on the left lane. It is essential for the driver to make sure they have a safe distance and enough time to return to their own lane when decided to overtake the other vehicles. Before overtaking the lead vehicle, the driver should set their eyes on the rear mirror and side mirror. Then, they must give a signal and look in the rear mirror once again to avoid blind spot situation. Figure (1) shows the correct overtaking principle.

Figure: Overtaking Principle

It is recommended to overtake other vehicle as far as point A rather than a random round detour (shown by a dotted line). The driver can increase their speed in the process of overtaking but should not over accelerate and skid. From point A, the driver must accelerate as fast as possible by keeping straight as far as B. When reaching point B, the driver still failed to overtake in the straight line, he should brake and fall back behind the overtaking car. After point B, it is almost certain that he must go on as attempting to drop back would be a risky decision. From point B, the driver must get balanced and going straight to meet acceptable safety gap.