Is overtaking becoming a lost art?

[StumpyPete]

Just done a 350 mile roundtrip up the A9. I have come to the conclusion that people have forgotten how to overtake! The number of people sitting in long queues at 50mph behind slow moving grannies and caravans when there are perfectly safe overtakes available (without the need for BMW power) was astounding! When they sit in queues it just exacerbates the problem, because they then don't leave enough space to allow cars who want to overtake the room to do so.

What do you think?

(for those who don't know it the A9 from Perth to Inverness is a mix of single and dual carriageway. With long stretches of Single)

[AW8]

Ironically, (earlier this year), pvr went to Scotland with some of his fellow Z4 owners. I cant recall exactly which roads he drove on , however, I recall he commented more positively re overtaking possibilities in contrast to Southern England.

Last week on a single carrageway road I peformed a perfectly safe 5 vehicle overtake with the lead, (plant), vehicle travelling at about 40 mph. Prior to the overtake I selected a lower gear, moved up, moved out, observed, confirmed & then executed. I didn't contravene lines, enter a junction, force a gap or come into conflict with other traffic. I suspect, however, that many would have held back & some might have even wrongly looked on in horror.

Gaps : Not leaving, (or closing), gaps. This reduces opportunities, prevents safe overtaking,(or can cause frustrated folk to attempt dangerous manouveres). It is ironic that some who might regard certain overtakes as dangerous will happily close a gap to force a near collision ! If someone behind me, (maybe using a smaller &/or faster vehicle), safely siezes an opportunity to overtake then I allow them to drop in front of me, (maybe prior positioning my vehicle slightly nearside to offer them my gap which will ideally be present if I'm not looking to overtake).

Design : To cut casualty rates , many roads have been re-designed. The increased use of chevrons, whether solid bordered,(not allowed to enter unless an emergency), or broken line bordered, (not permitted to enter unless necessary).....The highway code doesn't elaborate on what constitutes "neccessary" & some may feel it may be neccessary to enter same to execute a safe overtake.

Speed limits : Some subscribe to the view that inappropriate speed & not just speed - kills. The reality is that like it or not we have seen a significant reduction in speed limits. Speed limit reductions can frustrate many who have historically obeyed lower & numbered limits on basis they could make "better progress" on faster roads, however, lower limits are appearing on former "better progress" roads. It is difficult to safely & legally overtake someone doing 40-45 mph in a 50mph limit, (brisk progress more frowned against in posted/numbered limits). Processions thus occur which arguably set a precedent for varuious roads. The flip side is redesign & lower limits that actually reduce casualty numbers are hard to argue against.

Lack of skill : Some seemingly don't consider the basic components for a safe overtake. Position, speed, gear & view can be crucial to safe success. Important to act on what can be seen but what might be just out of view, (perhaps around a bend situated some distance after the overtake). I try to THINK BIKE ! (maybe approaching at 100mph +)" & "THINK HORSE !" (around he next corner)...........................The Golden rule has to be - If in doubt DON'T GO ! It would, however, be useful if those holding back would leave a gap if others can still overtake safely.

Whether by re-design, low limits, forced mindset, lack of skill or other factors, (such as over crowding), I agree, (safe), overtaking is becoming a lost art.

[AW8]

[StumpyPete]

[quote=""AW8""][/quote]

I think that proves the answer to the question is yes...no-one cares!