Hazard perception handbook - RTA

Safe gaps when overtaking
Overtaking other vehicles can be hazardous, particularly on high-speed, two-way
roads. If you misjudge the gap needed to overtake safely you could collide headon
with an oncoming vehicle. Head-on crashes are usually very severe because the
speed of your car combines with that of the other. for example, a head-on crash
where both cars are travelling at only 60 km/h gives a collision speed of 120 km/h.
This is the equivalent of driving into a stationary object at 120km/h.
you also need enough space to avoid colliding with the vehicle that you are
overtaking. Selecting safe gaps for overtaking is a key hazard perception skill that
takes time and practice to develop.
Overtaking is similar to, but not the same as passing other vehicles on multi-laned
highways, freeways or arterial roads. It is much harder and far more dangerous.
When overtaking on a two-way road you need to cross the centreline and travel on
the wrong side of the road.
A WORd Of CAUTION
The decision to overtake or not overtake another vehicle is your own. Most of the
time you overtake to maintain the speed at which you want to travel. However,
sometimes you will need to overtake or pass stationary or broken down vehicles.
The best thing to remember about overtaking is not to do it unless you really have
to.
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