Unsafe overtaking (when overtaking maneuver is performed in the wrong place or under the wrong circumstances) is a very common cause of traffic accidents. When deciding whether to overtake or not, make sure that overtaking was not prohibited with a sign, or that the other circumstances are allowing overtaking.
Conditions when overtaking is prohibited:
- When it cannot be performed safely
- On streets with one lane in each direction
- Before uncontrolled pedestrian crossings
- If there is oncoming traffic in the lane you will use for overtaking
- Before a railway level crossing, if there are no barriers or traffic lights
- If the vehicle behind you already started to overtake you
- If the vehicle in front is turning left (when you are overtaking on the left-hand side)
- It is prohibited to overtake a tram just before an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing.
Overtaking is usually done on the left-hand side. Overtaking on the right is allowed only on the streets with the maximum speed limit of 70 km/h and where there are at least 2 lanes in one direction.
Before overtaking:
- check your mirrors
- take your time to make sure you can judge the speeds correctly
- make sure that the lane you will be joining is enough clear ahead and behind
- check the blind spot, watch out for motorcyclists
- signal well in advance
- When finishing overtaking maneuver, make sure you leave plenty of space to the vehicle you are overtaking, do not cut in too close.
Take extra care in poor visibility, in dark, rain or fog it may be harder to judge on distances and speeds correctly.