Overtaking - Newbie Question

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Just wondering, when overtaking another vehicle, do you have to stick to the road's speed limit (Therefore meaning you can only overtake vehicles that are going a lot slower than the speed limit)

If not, is there a legal limit to how fast you can go when overtaking?

I understand this is a pretty newb question but I'm curious Razz

Thanks for your help.

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

You do need to stick to the road's limit.
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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Speed limit is just that, the limits and there are no times you're allowed to break it (well unless you have a nice blue flashing light I suppose Laughing

).

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Thanks for the help.

Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

While it's true that you're not supposed to exceed the speed limit, it's safer in my opinion to get past another vehicle quickly and then slow back down again, that to slavishly adhere to the speed limit and be on the wrong side of the road for a longer period of time.

Also, what do you do if you're following a vehicle than travels at the limit on the straights, but slows down far more than is necessary for corners that you can't observe well enough on to get past the other vehicle? Use your brain, it's the only way to decide what's safe and what's not, and that's your primary concern.
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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

I do agree that as long as the conditions etc etc are safe then there is not wrong with speeding to overtake bu the police won't see it that way at all. The speed limit is exactly that and they can (and will if they want to) book for for anything over the speed limit doesn't matter why you are speeding thats got nothing to do with them at all, all they care about is the fact you're speeding and won't care why.

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

you are not really supposed to breake the speed limit, but ive gone over the limit overtaking with a police car in front, and another time with a police car behind. so long as you dont get gatso'ed, or plod doesnt catch you taking the piss then you can get away with it.

I think most preffer you to go a bit quick and get past safely and quickly, rather than stick exactly to the limit and crawl past.

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Yeah because, I'm obviously a new rider, and just to get me prepared for the road some more I've got a mate who takes me out pillion every now and again, and I've generally from my point of view found that it is a lot safer just to overtake as quick as possible, I was just wondering how it actually stands with the law because it really doesnt make much sense to have to stick to the speed limit and endanger yourself even more.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Well they can just say that you don't have to endanger yourself by overtaking. If there is a police car/ bike/ whatever within sight then it's not worth speeding at all really, no matter on how safe it is or anything as they can do you for anything over the speed limit and there isn't any excuse you could give them that would work in court other than "the passenger needed to get to A&E" or "they're having a baby!!" or something like that but generally if they're going to stop you for speeding in safe conditions or time, then they're also not going to care about whatever your excuse for it is.

loply · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

Im sure in practicality no police officer would mind you doing 10-20% more than the limit, if its only for a few seconds to make an overtake.

It would be hard to measure your speed for those few seconds anyway.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

I wouldn't count it at all! If you want to risk getting done for speeding by all means go for it. However it would seem logical and common sense not to speed in front of the police! If you're that worried about needing to overtake the car in front then it would have been a better idea to leave a bit earlier. Rolling Eyes

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Is it still worth risking it? You can't complain at all if you got done for speeding when if full view of the police.

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 02 Jul 2002 Karma :

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

So long as you are doing the overtake manoeuvre sensibly I don't think they give it too much thought cos they know everything goes AT or OVER 10-20% of the speed limit anyway, so if you are overtaking in a practical and safe way, they rarely give you shif.
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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Yes, but they can do you for anything over the speed limit no matter how smaller amount and they won't be interested in any excuses so overtaking a police car and breaking the speed limit is a sure way to get fucked.

AcIdBuRnZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

If the cops are behind you and a car is doin 60ish in front. Then just wait until the car has to slow down for a corner - then accelerate past it out of the corner as it is climbing back to 60 - easy! You've not had to go over the limit then.

Works best on twisty roads - fortunately a lot of them where I live. Not so good for you motorway people. Also not many cops where I live either Thumbs Up

Mark
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fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

I had a copper following me for a few miles. It was that bike safe thing - I was doing about 80mph on the A38 and nothing was said about that when we got back. I think 2 wheeled police are less likely to pull you for doing 10% over the limit.
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Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

You're also less likely to get pulled, or get done less severely, if you're not riding like a nob (unless there's a zero-tolerance crackdown on speeding on). A copper might pull you over, give you a talking to, and then decide whether to book you or give you a telling off. At least, I hope it works that way Smile

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Andy99 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Karma :

I've overtaken quite a few coppers on motorways over the years. If you go past them at 75-80 they ignore you. On a normal single carriageway i wouldn't even consider overtaking a copper,it's just asking for a pull.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

On the motorways you're not likely to get stopped unless you're going faster than the general flow of the traffic. And if you do get pulled not being a complete idiot to them will also help. If you start moaning at them and other twat like stuff then they're quite able and likely to make life a bit harder for you, so no matter how much you think they're being pricks just grovel lots and lots.