Although everyone and vehicles have the right of way in different situations, it is possible for a car coming behind to overtake the one in front. For various reasons, there may be a need for vehicles to overtake one another.
Even though this is legal, there is a right way to overtake a car if you plan on doing so. It is the responsibility of both parties to do their bit in ensuring that the process goes well.
Therefore, if the car behind you begins to pass you you should slow down slightly and stay in your lane. After the vehicle is done with the overtaking, you can increase your speed if need be.
For a vehicle that is about to be passed or overtaken, a driver that is willing to allow the passage will reduce the speed at which he/she is going, this will serve as a signal to the other driver to go ahead. While the vehicle coming behind should make sure the front and behind is clear before changing lane.
Can a Car Behind You Pass You?
A car coming behind you can definitely pass you, in fact, it is not illegal. It only becomes an issue if it results in hitting other vehicles or without considering the other vehicle.
There may be a need for vehicles coming behind to pass or overtake the ones in front for various reasons. Some of such reasons could be; the other vehicle is going at a slow speed, the other driver is impatient, the case of an emergency, etc.
If the Car Behind You Begins to Pass You You Should?
It has been established that a car coming behind can pass the one in front, however, it is now up to both drivers to know the right thing to do in such a situation.
For those preparing for their DMV written driving test, if the car behind you begins to pass you, the answer is you should slow down slightly and stay in your lane.
For a car that is about to be overtaken, the driver should do the following:
1. Reducing the Speed at Which You Are Driving
If a car is coming behind you, one thing you can do is reduce the speed at which you are driving. By doing this, you are telling the other driver it is okay to pass.
Maintaining your speed limit or increasing the speed when you notice that another car is trying to pass you isn’t advisable as it can lead to a struggle for the right of way and even a collision.
2. Give Room by Moving More to the Right or Left
Depending on which side of the road you are on and the side from which the other vehicle is trying to take over, you can give room for the other vehicle to pass by moving more to the right or left as the case may be.
The other driver will take this as a sign to pass, some drivers upon passing or being side by side with your vehicle may even thank you.
3. Give a Hand Signal
Giving a proper hand signal whether for the vehicle to pass or not can be an added sign after doing the aforementioned.
A hand signal will be useful if the vehicle behind is trying to pass from the driver’s side of the vehicle, if there’s a passenger beside the driver’s seat, he/she can give the hand signal from the other side as the case may be.
What Should the Car Behind You Do Before Passing You?
The vehicle to be passed and the vehicle attempting to overtake both have a part to play in the success of the whole process. Here we will consider what the car behind you should do before passing.
Ideally, if you want to pass a vehicle, you should do so from the left side but under certain circumstances you can be allowed to pass from the right side.
The car behind is expected to use a turn signal lamp or hand signal to indicate that he is changing lanes before the change happens.
There are certain conditions under which a vehicle cannot pass another vehicle some of which are; if you are within 30m of a railroad crossing if while trying to pass you will interfere with oncoming traffic if returning to the right lane will not be easy after passing etc.
Passing a vehicle from the right side may be possible if, the other vehicle is making a left turn, etc.
Before attempting to pass a vehicle be sure to check the traffic light and the traffic ahead. It is not advisable to depend on the mirror when preparing to change lanes as this could leave blind spots behind on both sides of the vehicle.
After passing, also make sure to move completely to the left side of the lane. Endeavor to use your horn to draw the driver’s attention and use your indicators to tell him/her you wish to make an overtake.
Best Way to Overtake a Car Safely
There is always a right and wrong way to do things, you can use the following tips as a guide to safe overtaking.
- You should use the right-turn indicator as a sign that you plan on overtaking. While doing this, make sure the road ahead and behind you is clear for overtaking
- Be on the lookout for a motorcycle that may be out of sight of the vehicle. This is one reason why you shouldn’t fully depend on your vehicle’s mirror when preparing to overtake. The same applies when passing a bicyclist.
- Watch out for vehicles in front that may also be turning, after the take-over indicate that you are getting back on the same lane. It is not ideal to just cut off a vehicle and move in front.
- Do not overtake when there is a curve or bend in the road, doing this may lead to collision or accidents with other vehicles
- If the vehicle you are preparing to overtake doesn’t reduce its speed do not speed up in an attempt to outrun it.
- You should also not overtake when you cannot see clearly what the situation of the road is ahead.
- Before turning make sure there is space for you to enter safely
- Check behind ahead to be sure no vehicle is coming behind before you take over.
- If you are overtaking at night, switch your headlight to a low beam.
- As a sign to the other driver, switch your headlight on and off quickly, do this repeatedly.
Conclusion
The onus of doing the right thing during an overtaking fall on both drivers, a wrong move from any of them could result in a collision or even an accident. If you do not know the right way to take over another vehicle, find out and get full details before you get behind the wheel.