It can be special. A clear plan executed smoothly and without fuss, progress is made and nobody noticed. The art of the overtake. But is it acceptable?
Is overtaking dead? Or just ‘socially unacceptable’?
One of my regular routes to our workshop – I often vary the route to help me stay sharp – has had a mild makeover. The 40mph limit through a hamlet has been reduced to 30mph (good) and the road width has been changed (also good). Of course, the road isn’t narrower. It just looks like it because white boundary lines have been painted and the centre line removed to create the impression of a single lane. It demands caution and it appears to have worked. Calmer driving, paying attention to oncoming traffic and reduced speeds without the need for (noise and CO2 ‘emitting’) speed bumps.
But what has this to do with overtaking? Well, you may have noticed a default speed employed by many. Next time you travel in a rural area, look out for the car travelling nearer 40mph down a long stretch of 30mph limit road. As the derestricted sign is passed and the road opens up, they probably won’t. You may find yourself following at 45mph (varying a bit as their concentration levels vary). If there is a passenger in the car, you could play ‘guess the story’ as the driver embellishes it with hand and arm movements. [As an aside, if you are lucky enough to have two hands, use them both on the wheel. My old BMW boss/coach told me, ‘This one for strength and this one for feel’ as we enjoyed a corner on the test track…..].
Yes, but still….. what has this to do with overtaking? Well, our friendly orator still hasn’t got to a conclusion and is still travelling at 45mph. The speed limit is 60mph and there is an open stretch of road ahead with hazard potentials that have been checked. I’m alert, the car feels strong, the rear view is clear etc etc so why not? Well, do I need to make progress? Often not, but sometimes it can be useful. Make the most of strong acceleration, leave plenty of room before pulling back in and our friend may not have even noticed our passing.
Unfortunately, there are those who like to exploit the overtake in a rather more intrusive manner. Closing up to the bumper of the slower car in front is unlikely to make them vanish. More likely to cause alarm and ruin your view of the road ahead. Whizzing past and then having to cut in sharply or brake because of poor forward planning may also disturb our orator’s flow.
Think it through then execute skilfully. A well-prepared car will flatter you. Responsive yet linear steering is key, as are nicely damped motions and pitch resistance. VHS can help with this. You can help with the driver inputs – according to your plan.
The art of the overtake. Do it right and it can be our secret.