There are drivers who, because they have enough speed and no one is approaching from the opposite direction, overtake several cars at once. But is such a maneuver legal?
Overtaking rules are mandatory for all drivers and apply regardless of the type of vehicle a driver is driving.
Thus, drivers can legally perform an overtaking maneuver only under certain conditions.
What rules must a driver follow in order to legally overtake
The overtaking vehicle driver is obliged to:
- ensure that the one following or preceding him has not signaled the intention to start a similar maneuver and that he can overtake without endangering or embarrassing the traffic in the opposite direction;
- signal the intention to overtake;
- keep a sufficient lateral distance from the overtaken vehicle while overtaking;
- re-enters the lane or the original traffic lane after signaling and making sure that he can perform this maneuver safely for the overtaking vehicle and for the other traffic participants.
Situations where overtaking is prohibited
It is forbidden to overtake vehicles:
- in intersections with undirected traffic;
- near ramp tops, when visibility is reduced below 50 m;
- in curves and in any other places where visibility is reduced below 50 m;
- on uneven passages, on bridges, under bridges and in tunnels;
- on pedestrian crossings signaled by signs and markings;
- on level crossings with the current railway and less than 50 m before them;
- next to the tram station, when it is stopped, and the station is not equipped with a pedestrian shelter;
- in the area of action of the “Overtaking prohibited” indicator;
- when, in order to perform the maneuver, the continuous marking, single or double, that separates the directions of travel is violated, and the vehicle travels, even partially, in the opposite direction, or the marking that delimits the prohibited space is violated;
- when another vehicle approaches from the opposite direction, and its driver is obliged to perform maneuvers to avoid the collision;
- on the road sector where a queue of waiting vehicles has formed, if through this you enter the opposite direction of traffic.
It is also forbidden to exceed the official column.
By way of exception, animal-drawn vehicles, unattached motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles may be overtaken on bridges, under bridges and in tunnels, if visibility on the road is ensured at a distance greater than 20 m, and the road width is at least 7 m.
Is it legal to overtake multiple cars at once?
According to the traffic law, it is forbidden to overtake a line of cars parked at traffic lights, pedestrian crossings or railway tracks.
However, the legislation makes no reference to overtaking a column of moving vehicles. Which means that, legally, if a driver complies with all the rules imposed by the Highway Code, he can overtake several cars.
„Of course, we must carefully ensure the opposite. Let’s make sure we can get back into our lane safely, not cause oncoming traffic to brake or pull right. In the same way, we must not disturb those whom we surpass. If you have visibility, you don’t have an indicator that prohibits you from overtaking, why not overtake several vehicles at once?!“, explained policeman Tavi Pertea on his YouTube account.
But even if this maneuver is legal, you must respect the speed limit and road markings and signs.
For non-compliance with overtaking rules, the car license can be suspended for up to 60 days. A contravention fine of up to 3,300 lei can also be applied.
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Source: www.promotor.ro
