HOW TO HANDLE BEING OVERTAKEN

Last updated:

📜 Highway Code Regulation 🚘 Independent revision guide 🌐 Multi-Language Translation Support

🖼️ Official Visual Diagram

Highway Code Rule 168

📖 Rule 168 Full Regulations & Explanation

Rule 168 ↗
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.

Text shown in the rule image

HOW TO HANDLE BEING OVERTAKEN

PHASE 1 :

DURING THE OVERTAKE

PHASE 2 : DANGEROUS ACTIONS TO AVOID

DO NOT SPEED UP: Increasing your speed while someone is attempting to pass you is dangerous and creates a high risk of collision .

MAINTAIN A STEADY COURSE AND SPEED: Keep your vehicle predictable by holding your current line and pace to allow the overtaking driver to judge their maneover accurately .

SLOW DOWN IF NECESSARY: If the situation requires it for safety , slightly reduce your speed to help the other vehicle complete the pass more quickly .

NEVER OBSTRUCT PASSING DRIVERS

It is your responsibility to allow others to pass ; do not black their path or make it difficult for them to merge .

AVOID UNPREDICTABLE DRIVING

Erratic movements or sudden changes in lane position while being overtaken can lead to serious accidents .

RE - ESTABLISH THE SAFETY BUFFER

If the vehicle pulle into the lane directly in front of you , immediately drop back to restore a safe following distance .

PHASE 3 : AFTER THE OVERTAKE

MAINTAIN A TWO - SECOND GAP

Ensure there is at least a two - second interval between your vehicle and the one that just overtook you to allow for safe braking .