What is overtaking and what is considered a violation of traffic rules?

Overtaking is by far the most dangerous of the maneuvers that a driver can perform while driving on a vehicle. Despite the simplicity of this concept, not all drivers understand its meaning. Let's figure out what overtaking is and how to carry it out so that no one is hurt! Let's start with the terminology.

What is overtaking and how does it differ from the lead?

Before starting to review the basic rules of overtaking, let's define the terms. So, overtaking is a maneuver associated with leaving to the oncoming lane, in order to advance another vehicle, with a subsequent return to the previously occupied lane. Many drivers confuse such concepts as overtaking and advancing, which often leads to problems with representatives of the law.

An advance is the movement of a car at a speed greater than that of a passing vehicle.

Thus, overtaking is a special case of advance, but the lead is not always overtaking. The main distinguishing feature of overtaking is the exit to the oncoming lane. It is relevant in the event that the road has one lane in each direction. If there are two or more bands, there is always the possibility to make an advance without resorting to traveling to the oncoming lane.

Previously, there was a rule that sounded like this: "Overtaking is allowed only on the left side." It is absolutely not logical, since there can not be a counter-strip on the right side. This rule was used by unscrupulous representatives of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, fining the inexperienced drivers for being ahead of the right lane and giving it out for an incorrect overtaking.

Anticipation is a much safer maneuver than overtaking, so it is permitted almost always. And now let's look at how to properly perform the maneuver that we are describing today.

Preparation for overtaking

Before proceeding to maneuver, the driver must be sure that the counter strip is free at a distance sufficient for maneuvering, which will not cause interference to other participants in the traffic. It is always worthwhile to calculate the time and distance with a margin. The more the stock, the better. It is not necessary to hope, that the driver of passing vehicle or the one who moves on you on a counter strip, will brake. They do not have to do this.

Overtaking

In general, going to the oncoming traffic is always connected with a certain risk, the responsibility for which is borne by the driver, who overtakes. If an accident occurs, it is he who is to blame. Exceptions are the case when the driver of a passing vehicle (TC) deliberately prevents him from overtaking himself (accelerates, "wags", etc.). According to the rules, you can not prevent overtaking.

The rules prohibit overtaking in those cases when the speed of your car is not large enough. For example, if the passing car moves at a speed of 85 km / h, and yours - 90 km / h, then to get ahead of it, you need at least 180 meters. At the same time, the oncoming lane should be free for at least 360 meters (an additional 180 meters for the oncoming car). In the case when the driver performs a double overtaking (ahead of two vehicles at once), it is worth to increase this distance by at least two times. If you are ahead of the car slowly, it is better to give up the maneuver, since later, when you return to your lane, you yourself will interfere with this auto. By the way, a double overtaking, according to the rules, can be carried out only when, at the conclusion of the first maneuver, you have to immediately begin the second maneuver.

Overtaking prohibited

Now we will consider those cases when overtaking is prohibited from the point of view of the traffic situation, that is, when there are no prohibitive factors such as signs, marking and so on.

So, overtaking is prohibited when:

1. A traveling vehicle moving in front, makes a detour around the obstacle or overtaking.
2. The same TC gave the first turn signal.
3. The vehicle moving behind begins to overtake you.
4. At the end of the maneuver, you can not return to your lane, without creating interference with a passing vehicle.

Thus, all these rules can be reduced to one thing: "Overtaking is prohibited in the event that passing vehicles (front or rear) before you began to maneuver."

Places where overtaking is prohibited

Drivers often forget where it is possible, and where this maneuver can not be carried out, which can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Places in which overtaking is prohibited:

1. Adjustable intersections and unregulated intersections in case you are moving along a secondary road.
2. Pedestrian crossings.
3. Railway crossings and the adjacent 100 meters of the road on each side.
4. Bridges, overpasses, overpasses and tunnels.
5. Dangerous turns, climbing peaks and other areas with reduced visibility.

Intersection

At all adjustable intersections, this maneuver is prohibited. Recall that the adjustable are those intersections, the sequence of traffic on which is set by traffic lights. If there is no traffic light (or it does not work), but there are priority signs, then the intersection refers to unregulated ones. At such a crossroads, you can overtake, but only if you are driving along the main road.

In this case, the main road should not change direction. If it changes direction, and you are moving straight, then when crossing the intersection you should act according to the rule of "right hand". Another factor that can prevent overtaking at an unregulated intersection, while driving along the main road is the pedestrian crossing adjacent to the crossroads . Overtaking on a pedestrian crossing is prohibited in any case.

Overtaking at the intersection is most relevant in the event that a passing vehicle moving in front turns to the right. To do this, he has to slow down. And the next vehicle behind it, in order not to brake, can bypass it on the opposite lane. Here you should immediately make sure of the presence of the sign "Main road" and the absence of a transition. Remember that overtaking on the crossing is always prohibited! It is worth noting that the driver of the vehicle, which at this time turns left from the secondary road, runs the risk of encountering a car that overtakes. Therefore, leaving the secondary road, you need to make sure that no one is ahead of the car turning from the main road to the right.

Bridge, overpass, overpass and tunnel

On all listed sections of the road, it is forbidden to carry out an advance with departure to the oncoming traffic. The same applies to the sites under these structures. Sometimes small bridges may not be noticeable at all, and the driver, going to the oncoming lane, simply does not see them. At the same time, it is even more difficult to identify the bridge outside the locality, since its boundaries may not be indicated by the corresponding signs. This once again emphasizes the fact that doing overtaking should be extremely careful.

Sites with reduced visibility

As you already understood, it is forbidden to overtake passing vehicles on dangerous corners, peaks of ascents and other areas with poor visibility. The presence of a steep rise or sharp turn is usually prevented by the corresponding signs. It should be noted that it is forbidden to overtake at the top of any climb, that is, it does not have to be steep.

In general, limited visibility, according to the SDA, is called visibility, limited by the terrain, vegetation, geometric parameters of the road, structures and other objects, including other TS. Thus, this concept is very vague. Always it is necessary to be guided by the reason, especially in such business, as overtaking where all depends on competently calculated time, distance and speed, and, certainly, experience.

Overtaking is prohibited: signs and marking

Usually, all the factors listed above, prohibiting overtaking, are confirmed by the appropriate signs and markings. In front of dangerous sections there is almost always a sign "Overtaking is prohibited". Signs can not stand, except in front of a pedestrian crossing. In this case, continuous marking operates. And if it's not, just remember that overtaking on a pedestrian crossing is prohibited! Thus, as a rule, in order to make sure of the lawfulness of the maneuver, it is enough to be convinced of the absence of the sign "Overtaking is forbidden", of solid lines of marking.

At the same time, if you started overtaking, and already moving along the opposite lane, you saw that the intermittent line separating the two directions turns into a continuous one, it is better to abandon the maneuver and return to its place. Such a maneuver will be regarded as overtaking through a solid line. Often, drivers begin to overtake the truck, and he closes his sign with the body "Overtaking is forbidden." In this case, it will be quite difficult to prove to the representatives of the law its validity.

Often drivers pay attention to signs, but neglect the markup. It is worth noting that if the traffic situation allows you to overtake, but the marking prohibits, for example, when crossing the intersection, from the maneuver should be abandoned. Overtaking through a solid line can entail serious sanctions.

Etiquette on the road

So, we already know what overtaking is from a legal point of view. Now let's talk about an important component, without which the life of a motorist would be much less comfortable - etiquette. On the road, always remember about respect for other participants in the movement. Overtaking is a rather dangerous maneuver, so do not interfere with someone who is trying to overtake you. Experienced truckers have several unspoken rules of etiquette regarding overtaking. First, they turn on the right turn signal to show the car traveling behind, that it can easily overtake them. This greatly helps, because sometimes for a huge truck is difficult to analyze the situation on the oncoming lane. Secondly, when overtaking is dangerous, truckers turn on the left turn signal, warning the driver driving from behind. They can do this also in the case when the sign "Overtaking is forbidden" is on the right, but the rear driver does not see it. These same manners migrated to the drivers of passenger vehicles. Therefore, when planning overtaking, it is worth looking at the signals of the turn of the overtaken car. And do not forget, after completing the overtaking, to thank the other participants in the movement for the help provided.

Conclusion

Today we reminded ourselves what overtaking is, how it differs from the lead, and what rules are regulated. Finally I want to say that for violation of rules in conditions of complete control over the situation a person can pay a fine. And with illiterate behavior on the road (including within the rules), you can lose your life. Therefore, carrying out this or that action on the road, it is worth making sure that it will not threaten your safety and the safety of other participants in the movement. And do not forget about politeness!