Overtaking is one of the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can do. That is why it is very important to respect all the rules imposed by the Highway Code, in order to avoid an accident. But is it legal to overtake a line of moving cars on a public road?
The updated Highway Code establishes the rules for performing the overtaking maneuver.
It also requires drivers not to overtake in certain situations.
What are the overtaking rules
The overtaking vehicle driver is obliged to:
- to make sure 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 disturbing traffic from the opposite direction;
- to signal the intention of overtaking;
- to keep a sufficient lateral distance from the overtaken vehicle while overtaking;
- to re-enter the lane or the original traffic lane after signaling and making sure that he can perform this maneuver safely for the overtaken vehicle and for the other traffic participants.
In what situations is overtaking 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 the line of cars?
According to traffic law, it is forbidden to overtake cars that stationary in the column.
However, the legislation makes no reference to overtaking a column of moving vehicles. Which means that if a driver follows all the rules imposed by the Highway Code, such as road signs and indicators, the speed limit or overtaking rules, he can overtake the queue of cars.
But even if this maneuver is legal, it is extremely dangerous. First of all, it is quite possible that one of the vehicles in the queue will turn left. And if he doesn’t make sure, he could get in front of the one who is overtaking.
It is also possible that another car will appear from the opposite direction. And if the distance between the vehicles in the queue is too small, the overtaking driver will have no way to safely return to his lane.
At the same time, the person overtaking may not notice the signs and road markings. Thus, they risk finding themselves in an area where overtaking is prohibited, such as a pedestrian crossing or an intersection.
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.
Source: www.promotor.ro
