{"id":5027,"date":"2025-01-01T05:39:36","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T02:39:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/?p=5027"},"modified":"2025-01-01T05:39:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-01T02:39:37","slug":"overtaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/overtaking\/","title":{"rendered":"How a motorcycle rider can overtake safely every-time @KenyanTraffic"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to overtaking, motorcycle riders often have benefits over larger vehicles; acceleration (if your bike has a good amount\u00a0of power) and a good view of the road ahead.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Benefits aside, overtaking on a motorcycle represents one of the most hazardous manoeuvres a biker can do. In fact, overtaking represents one of the major causes of road traffic accidents. Bad judgement that results in overtaking at the wrong time or place will put you into a collision course with oncoming traffic.<\/span>
\nThis tutorial provides procedures and techniques for overtaking on a motorcycle. The first thing you must always consider and ask yourself before committing yourself to a hazardous manoeuvre is \u2018Is it necessary and is it legal?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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For example; is there a good deal of traffic ahead traveling at a similar speed? Are you turning off soon? Is the vehicle in front already traveling close to the speed limit? All these reasons might be sufficient to hold back and wait. If you do decide that overtaking is necessary, you\u2019ll first need to ensure none of these scenarios make a hazardous manoeuvre into a dangerous one:<\/span><\/p>\n

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WHEN NOT TO OVERTAKE ON A MOTORCYCLE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

* Breaking the law \u2013 ensure it is legal to overtake and that it is not prohibited by the use of road signs or continuous solid white lines on your side of the centre of the road.<\/span>
\nLook ahead for road markings such as hatched road markings or arrows warning you to move to the left<\/span>
\n* Avoid overtaking on the approach to a bend<\/span>
\nEnsure your view of the road ahead is not blocked<\/span>
\n* Make sure there are no approaching vehicles hidden in dips in the road<\/span>
\n* Avoid overtaking if a junction is up ahead. Look for signs that may warn you<\/span>
\n* Don\u2019t overtake if the road ahead narrows<\/span>
\n* Ensure there\u2019s enough room to move back into your lane once you have overtaken.<\/span><\/p>\n

Motorcycle Handbook \u2013 A Guide to Safe Riding(defensive riding)[pdf]<\/a><\/h3>\n

PLANNING AN OVERTAKING MANOEUVRE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

* Observe Vehicles Close to You<\/span>
\nIt\u2019s not only checking the state of the road ahead, you also must observe other road users. Each year, many motorcyclists that are overtaking are involved in a collision with vehicles turning right. Observe the actions of the vehicle you intend on overtaking and don\u2019t assume that they can see you. Are they indicating to the right? Are they slowing down? A vehicle slowing down may be an indication that they are turning off shortly.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Road Position<\/span>
\nYou\u2019ll need to be in a road position, that enables you the best view of the road ahead before overtaking. Riding too close to the vehicle in front, especially if it\u2019s a large vehicle will reduce your view of the road ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

* Speed<\/span>
\nConsider:<\/span><\/p>\n

* the speed of the vehicle you are overtaking<\/span>
\n* the speed at which you need to overtake<\/span>
\n* the speed of approaching vehicles<\/span>
\nFor example, you are riding at 60 mph (approximately 96 km\/h) whilst overtaking a vehicle that is traveling at 50 mph. Vehicles are approaching you at 60 mph , you are therefore approaching each other at 120 mph (approximately 193 km\/h), which equates to 52 metres per second. Bearing in mind that HGV\u2019s may be over 16 metres in length, you must judge speed and distance accurately.<\/span><\/p>\n