Overtaking another vehicle is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres while driving, but it is also important stage of driving. It depends on many conditions: rental car acceleration, power, road conditions, visibility, and of course the driver.
1. Ask yourself if it is really necessary to overtake. Can you wait for the next safe passing place? Also, if you know that you are going to be leaving the road shortly, do everyone a favour and stay behind the car in front.
2. Check the oncoming lane. Look ahead – Are there any vehicles in the oncoming lane? Once your complete your overtaking manoeuvre, will there be 100 metres of clear road ahead? Is there a no overtaking line ahead? If there is an intersection, pedestrian crossing or railway crossing ahead, don’t overtake.
3. Check your mirrors and blind spot. Is there a car already overtaking you?
The use of mirrors is essential. Make sure you have look at it at least 2 times before overtaking.
4. Don’t overtake when visibility is poor
When visibility is poor due to fog, rain or snow the overtaking is very dangerous. Avoid overtaking if it is not required and always use the mirrors!
5. Do not overtake if the road marking does not allow
Road marking will help you to decide if is allowed to overtake or not. Therefore it is important to observe when overtaking.
6. Evaluate the distance and speed of oncoming cars coming. Change down a gear. You will need the extra power to accelerate your rental car so you can overtake the vehicle in front.
7. Signal for three seconds. This gives enough time for the cars behind you to get the message. Keep your turn signal going throughout the manoeuvre. This would facilitate all because if you do not turn it on your actions are unpredictable and others do not know what you are going take and how to react to your sudden actions.
8. Pull out and accelerate. Keep to the speed limit as you overtake the vehicles.
9. Do not retract at right if you do not see the car which you overtaking in the window for rear view
This is very important because the rate outside the city is much higher and you do not know how accelerates the vehicle which you have passed over. Try not staying much in the left lane, because even it seems that the car is too far, it can be very powerful and moving very fast. This consequently could be difficult for suddenly stop, so you have to go quickly in the right side of the road.
10. Pull back into the correct lane, and deactivate your turn signal.
Enjoy your driving of hired car, and stay safe on the road!
