The development of the motorway network in our country has contributed to a significant reduction in head-on collisions due to risky overtakes.
Canada still has a large number of suburban and Country Roads, where overtaking remains on the agenda and sometimes has a tragic ending.
Before we analyze the mistakes that many drivers make when they decide to overtake a slower vehicle, we must emphasize that in such situations they are
the role of the driver who passes it is also important. In this particular case there is no room for egos or stubbornness, such as sudden accelerations and blockages with closing of empty spaces even if we think that the one who follows US is overdoing it.
Also, we must always keep in the corner of our mind that whoever moves slowly, must facilitate with his behavior at the wheel those who will try to overtake him and not seek their “punishment”.
One of the many bad habits of the average Greek driver is his dislike of the use of turn signals. For overtaking, however, the early manifestation of the driver’s intention by activating the turn signals before starting this process is very critical. We also make a right flash and when we return to our original lane.
But what are the 7 Sins of overtaking, which-unfortunately-can prove deadly under circumstances?
1.
Poor estimate of distance required
Overtaking needs a free road and much more than an inexperienced driver believes. If someone is moving in front of us with 70 km./ hour and we with 80 km./ hour we need about 200 meters to complete the overtaking process, so before starting it we must have calculated that there is at least as much free space. It is generally true that the greater the speed difference between two vehicles, the sooner the overtaking takes place.
2.
Stick behind the vehicle in front
Some stick behind the vehicle they want to overtake in order to gain time and find themselves less exposed to the current of opposing traffic. But this is dangerous, as we also have to keep safety distances from the vehicles in front of us in these cases.
The same goes for the completion phase of overtaking, where we don’t wedge into the car in front of us, but leave several metres between us before reverting to our original lane
3.
We don’t control what’s behind us.
Sometimes we focus solely on the flow of traffic in front of us and start overtaking, not having checked what is happening behind us. So we may go into the opposite direction at the moment when another faster car or motorcycle has already started the same process behind us, so we risk a collision between us. So, before we go into the opposite lane we have definitely checked back with the mirrors but also by turning the head, so as not to hide another vehicle in the dead corner.
4.
No flash.
One of the many bad habits of the average Greek driver is his dislike of the use of turn signals. For overtaking, however, the early manifestation of the driver’s intention by activating the turn signals before starting this process is very critical. We also make a right flash and when we return to our original lane.
5.
We ignore the label.
We don’t do our head in, but we only pass in places where this is allowed. The violation of the double demarcation line and the relevant signs prohibiting overtaking can prove fatal, since these signs have a reason for existence, no matter how much we cannot understand it at the time.
6.
Violating speed limits
We should keep in mind that speed limits apply without exceptions and when overtaking. So we have to keep them in these cases too and not consider that we have the freedom to violate them ‘for security reasons’. This means that the whole process must be done correctly and in accordance with all the rules of the C. O.Mr.
7.
We don’t know our intentions.
Sometimes it is important to inform the driver of the vehicle in front in a timely manner that we intend to overtake him, in order not to surprise him or –even better – to facilitate us with his behavior. This can be done in the day with a short pressing of the horn and at night by playing the lights once. In this way, the other driver is also on hand at the time of overtaking, which is especially important in difficult parts of the road network.
