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the driver's handbook

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52<br />

R O A d R U L E S<br />

Overtaking<br />

Overtaking is when you approach from behind and pass a vehicle<br />

travelling in <strong>the</strong> same direction.<br />

Most drivers and riders consider overtaking to be crossing to <strong>the</strong><br />

‘wrong’ side of <strong>the</strong> road to pass a vehicle in front. But, even if you<br />

do not cross to <strong>the</strong> ‘wrong’ side of <strong>the</strong> road, you are overtaking if<br />

you move into ano<strong>the</strong>r lane or line of traffic ei<strong>the</strong>r side of you to pass<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r vehicle.<br />

Even if you do not cross over to <strong>the</strong> ‘wrong’ side, <strong>the</strong>re are some<br />

important safety rules you must follow. The rules for overtaking on a<br />

multi-lane or unlaned road are similar to those for a single-lane road.<br />

The Driver’s Handbook<br />

Before overtaking ano<strong>the</strong>r vehicle, you must:<br />

• be sure it is safe to do so<br />

• on a single-lane road, be sure that <strong>the</strong> road ahead is clear for a<br />

sufficient distance<br />

• be sure you have sufficient distance to return to <strong>the</strong> same lane or<br />

line of traffic without endangering <strong>the</strong> vehicle being overtaken or<br />

any vehicle coming from <strong>the</strong> opposite direction<br />

• be sure no o<strong>the</strong>r vehicle is overtaking your vehicle by checking <strong>the</strong><br />

road behind in your mirrors and blind spot<br />

• signal your intention to overtake for long enough to give sufficient<br />

warning to all o<strong>the</strong>r road users.<br />

When you overtake, you must:<br />

• leave a safe gap between your vehicle and <strong>the</strong> vehicle you are<br />

overtaking<br />

• not return to <strong>the</strong> lane or line of traffic until you are far enough past<br />

<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r vehicle to avoid a collision<br />

• not obstruct <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r vehicle.<br />

You must not overtake:<br />

• on <strong>the</strong> right of a vehicle that is turning right, or making a U-turn<br />

from <strong>the</strong> centre of <strong>the</strong> road, and is signalling to turn right<br />

• on <strong>the</strong> left, except:<br />

– if <strong>the</strong> vehicle is turning right or making a U-turn from <strong>the</strong> centre<br />

of <strong>the</strong> road, and is giving a right-turn signal<br />

– on a multi-lane road, when you are in ano<strong>the</strong>r lane to <strong>the</strong> left<br />

of <strong>the</strong> vehicle you are overtaking and <strong>the</strong> vehicle can be safely<br />

overtaken in a marked lane to <strong>the</strong> left of <strong>the</strong> vehicle

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