Reg, I joined the IAM about 3 weeks before covid and the lockdowns started, so spent from Mar20-Aug21 eagerly watching your videos, before heading out to put theory into practice. Luckily my job was designated as key worker, so I was afforded plenty quiet road time, before observed runs were allowed to restart. I literally passed my Advanced Driving Test his morning (Saturday 16/10/21) and your videos were a massive part of helping me achieve this, so thank you.
I liked the advice of glancing briefly at sat nav as a "rough guide" to the layout of the road ahead. I recall you mentioning it in another video too but this was a great reminder. Obviously it's just a "rough guide" but certainly a very useful one.
Nice video as always. A couple of things I'd mention: (1) I was taught to get in a following position considerably closer just prior to an overtake - if you've got 2 whole seconds worth to make up you'll need a lot of space to catch up; and (2) one thing you didn't mention (eg at 7:42 or maybe later when the Skoda appears) is when you're going fully off side to take a look, just b's sure that the car behind isn't going to assume you're going for the overtake and nip up and take your space leaving you nowhere to go!
Thank you, Reg, for another brilliant video! I think I have swallowed this burning pill of overtaking every car in front. Your lessons and demonstrations are invaluable and much appreciated!
IAM attitude to overtaking is that one must not exceed the speed limit during an overtake. Highway Code directs drivers to move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking. (In other words, minimise the TED or Time Exposed to Danger while offside passing another vehicle.) That seems wise to me. It seems to me that rigidly sticking to the speed limit (60 mph for a car in a national speed limit zone on a single carriage way road) increases the time exposed to danger. So insisting on sticking to speed limits during an overtake will mean (a) lots of safe overtaking opportunities will go begging and (b) less progress will be made, as one is effectively forced to remain behind any other driver doing 50 mph or so in a NSL zone (such as in an HGV). An overtake at a speed difference of 10 mph (or less) will simply take too long to be safe let alone feasible in any but a very restricted set of circumstances. However, those (apparently) are the rules!
The rigid view of the IAM might be so the government doesn't take a dislike to them, considering they're the ones that insist 'speed kills' regardless of situation or any conditions in existence. For the test you need to fit everyone's crap but in reality once you've become a qualified driver you do whatever is necessary to avoid compromising safety. Reg can't really respond given his position, but he does have that video called 'Speed' where he covers the topic as well as he can. If the IAM and Reg had the weight of the finances a fuel company or similar has then I think we'd get a much less compromised view. Unfortunately they don't, so if they want safer driving to be promoted they can't contradict the politics, and saying doing 60.01 mph is OK in an overtake as it shortens the time in the more dangerous position and in certain conditions is necessary to do so isn't OK politically.
@Mark Wright I totally agree with your assessment and I do appreciate the sensitivities. I am rewatching the video on "speed" as it happens. I think it's very good.
It's going to get "interesting" when new cars in the UK have this so called GPS based "Intelligent speed assist" that prevents vehicles from exceeding the speed limit. However, my understanding is that the driver can still override this by additional pressure on the accelerator. Just have to ignore the alarm it sets off till back down to NSL after an overtake
@@ibs5080 I agree and, to be honest, that's the safest way to tackle the challenge (assuming the temporary burst of speed is appropriate to the weather, road layout, road conditions, time of day, traffic patterns, relative performance of the vehicles concerned, skill levels of drivers, safety features of the vehicles etc etc). But technically, condoning a breach of the speed limit would be at the least frowned upon and, at worst, could lead to prosecution. It's frustrating that following the rules actually makes the manoeuvre more dangerous.
Great video with pragmatic tips on overtaking. It's obvious that sticking exactly to the national speed limit when overtaking isn't always practical. Even though it's illegal to exceed 60mph on these roads, it's safer for everybody if you end up touching 75-80mph if needed. It seems ridiculous that roads like those in this video don't have a higher limit for cars that can do it comfortably. We've all sped before.
I never drive the speed limit on nsl 😂😂 well depends on the conditions ahead etc but most times fun in an mx5 on b roads 60 is enough at times though. Although as I said as reg said previously in his speed video you can have fun and be safe you just need to use common sense, assess don't drive over your limits etc.
REG. I personally feel as I age through into my mid 40s I’ve very very little interest to overtake. Because the youth do it so badly and idiots undertake and overtake and weave on dual carriageways I’d simply rather not overtake. Bet I’m in the majority. Not minority.
brilliant video yet again :)... those lovely Scottish roads make it look sooo easy! but on "normal" roads, where the distant view is more restricted, how do you work out if there's enough space to get the overtake in safely? Does it work to count? eg., I think it needs 4-5 secs from booting the throttle to being able to safely pull in to the "right" side of the road. This way if I decline an overtake, I can think "I could easily have got that one in" and learn for next time without putting myself at risk. Any thoughts/tips?? (I realise the count you need is car dependent to some degree, but for a "typical" 150 bhp car)
I'll be interested to see Reg's thoughts. The rule of thirds can be helpful. Divide the space ahead to the limit point or oncoming vehicle into 3. You need to get the overtake done (back to your side of the road) in the first third. The distant third is to allow for a vehicle travelling at speed towards you from the limit point. The middle third is your safety margin.
@@mikeroberts I absolutely love this. I've always followed this rule, to account for me doing 60 odd and a motorcyclist appearing at just the wrong moment doing 120...
@@henryrolt3747 yeah where I live there's a few areas on a bridge over a reservoir where I never go for it the amount of bikes that fly across there at easily 140 plus is mad 😂
You can, of course, hone your speed judgement skills with no risk by picking a vehicle coming the other way, guessing the amount of time until you pass and counting the seconds to see how close you are. Gets more difficult as distance/time increases.
Hi Reg - many thanks for your excellent videos. They have brought quite a few changes in my driving methods, and have made me think a lot more about what I do on the road. Do you by any chance have any videos on driving twisting, sometimes mountainous, roads ? I live in the south of France and that kind of road is pretty general where I am. Best regards.
I like to over take very rare as in this day and age and ideots there's all ways the chaser that hates that you passed them then the over thinker bleeding there horn and believes in there world you dangerous, but i only do it on rare occasions simply because there doing the speed limit and i hate being the 🔔🔚they catch up to as i sit behind slow traffic, but then on the other hand i miss my driver training in the military VIP anti ambush evasive driving police standard and the advanced many years ago, sadly now i have complex Ptsd and frontal lob syndrome and love watching your vids its clear well presented and little flickers in my head going ow yeah remember that 🙈😂😂
Love these videos. I keep coming back to them, even though I have seen them before. Aside from the enjoyment facter, they are packed with so much good information I can usually find something that I missed the first time around. I do have a question. Roadcraft talks about a three stage approach: (1) Following Position (2) Overtaking Position - which is closer than the FP (3) Overtake Given the risks of getting closer to the car in front, and assuming my car has the performance, I have always preferred to go from (1) to (3) after the safety checks mentioned in the video. You seem to do the same. Any comments to make on the use of Overtaking Position?
After explaining how to overtake "safely " and seeing an opportunity arising, I've only one word to say to the driver, "GO". He who hesitates, is lost!
Love the videos. Now I acknowledge that I did my IAM advanced test over 25 years ago, but I didn’t hear you mentioning any signalling? Could you comment on when in these particular overtakes a signal would have been useful or appropriate and what your views are on “flashing “ the vehicle in front to indicate (no pun intended) your course of action. Thanks
There was no mention of signalling, and I couldn't hear the indicator going either. So is signalling not now regarded as necessary? I'd be very interested to know
I was thinking the exact same thing re: signalling (including consideration of a brief warning flash), together with no mention of use of mirrors on each overtake, though granted it WAS mentioned as a general preamble earlier in the video.
Mixed view about signalling i.e. in the sense of signalling if it will benefit someone. If there was someone behind maybe a signal to them as well as mirror and shoulder check before manoeuvre?? Signalling as a warning to the car infront that you are going to overtake them, hmm??
Definitely give a signal. I'm surprised he doesn't mention this. I wouldn't flash the lights though. You might know Ashley Neal, who made a video about overtaking (th-cam.com/video/tZ1kb-N6C3U/w-d-xo.html) where he recommends flashing the lights, and many people in the comments criticized this practice due to its association with 'after you' or aggression.
Like others here, it took me a while to realise you were overtaking the same car repeatedly. I was curious that you kept overtaking an "identical looking" blue BMW coupe and initially thought it must be sort of BMW club road trip. Plus the fact that so many BMW coupes of that ilk were evidently being driven on the open road at a relatively leasurely pace! I mean, what are the chances of that happening!
Nice job, however if I'd been driving the blue car when you were following I would have wondered what the hell you were doing moving into the center, into the other lane and back, over and over. I would have been confused, or would you have expected me to realize that you were practicing an advanced technique and not assume that you were having a car problem or a seizure?
Hi Reg, I have a question for you. You are approaching a school with cars parked on the nearside. A car is about 1 meter from your rear bumper and trying to force an overtake. What is the correct course of action? I moved out so he couldn't overtake and slowed down a bit - I think he got upset!
It’s not a good idea to block anyone from overtaking as it can increase aggression & make the situation more dangerous. Just carry on as normal & leave them to it.
I have found that there is a growing culture where overtaking is considered rude and insulting. My wife (who drives a fast car) used to get most upset at being passed. I told her that being overtaken was not a personal insult or comment on your choice of speed, it is merely another road user choosing to drive faster than you. This seemed to give her perspective.
Hi Reg Here in Spain we have a type of drivers that accelerate when they are being overtaken How do you deal with this kind of drivers and situations? Thank you for your videos Kind regards
same in the UK ... moving off side at the start to make your intentions clear seems to help - if they speed up, its easy to drop in behind them and you're probably now doing your target speed...
As Richard already covered in their reply, moving out before the accelerating past phase would hopefully trigger those drivers into accelerating soon enough for you to be able to change your mind about overtaking. If they wait until you're alongside then that's where not using the full potential of the car comes in, you'd hopefully have enough left to complete the pass relatively easily, and by that point you have a momentum advantage over them anyway so having committed to overtaking by then shouldn't be an issue. If it's a common enough issue then it's just something to be mindful of when looking for opportunities to overtake, add that potential distance needed to perform the overtake if they do speed up to the space you'll need for the pre-existing situation, make sure you give yourself enough flexibility with the throttle that you can always accelerate more if they do speed up late and on first moving out pay special attention to their speed and if they accelerate and be prepared to pull back in behind at that point if they do.
I just think Reg was very persuasive with the BMW M2 owner's club to get all the owners of blue M2 competitions to head up to Scotland for a casual drive. Having said that, the one we see at the end of the video was a bit aggressive, re-overtaking Reg, so maybe not invite them again :)
Why do you have to do the national speed limit? What’s wrong with driving below it? After all its a guide not a ‘must drive’ at limit? I think its a ‘man’ thing :)
Bad logic, why should you allow someone else to dictate your speed and progress? if i want to drive at the speed limit, providing the conditions and road are good, then i will.
It took me way too long to realise you overtook the same car over and over again. Smooth editing, Reg! 😂
Reg, I joined the IAM about 3 weeks before covid and the lockdowns started, so spent from Mar20-Aug21 eagerly watching your videos, before heading out to put theory into practice. Luckily my job was designated as key worker, so I was afforded plenty quiet road time, before observed runs were allowed to restart.
I literally passed my Advanced Driving Test his morning (Saturday 16/10/21) and your videos were a massive part of helping me achieve this, so thank you.
Well done Steve!
I liked the advice of glancing briefly at sat nav as a "rough guide" to the layout of the road ahead. I recall you mentioning it in another video too but this was a great reminder. Obviously it's just a "rough guide" but certainly a very useful one.
Nice video as always. A couple of things I'd mention: (1) I was taught to get in a following position considerably closer just prior to an overtake - if you've got 2 whole seconds worth to make up you'll need a lot of space to catch up; and (2) one thing you didn't mention (eg at 7:42 or maybe later when the Skoda appears) is when you're going fully off side to take a look, just b's sure that the car behind isn't going to assume you're going for the overtake and nip up and take your space leaving you nowhere to go!
Inconsistent pace Reg. That slow blue M2 keeps getting past you! 😀😂🤣
It’s like the credits at the cinema … stay in your seat to the very end…
Thank you Reg for all of your videos. I am coming up to my advanced test and feel that your videos have helped me to become a safer and better driver.
Cheers Peter - good luck with your test!
it was like being at a BMW driving experience with all those M2's lol. Lovely helpful video Reg, much appreciated
Hahahaha so many M2Cs - that was very funny! Great vid Reg!
Thank you, Reg, for another brilliant video! I think I have swallowed this burning pill of overtaking every car in front. Your lessons and demonstrations are invaluable and much appreciated!
IAM attitude to overtaking is that one must not exceed the speed limit during an overtake.
Highway Code directs drivers to move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking. (In other words, minimise the TED or Time Exposed to Danger while offside passing another vehicle.) That seems wise to me.
It seems to me that rigidly sticking to the speed limit (60 mph for a car in a national speed limit zone on a single carriage way road) increases the time exposed to danger. So insisting on sticking to speed limits during an overtake will mean (a) lots of safe overtaking opportunities will go begging and (b) less progress will be made, as one is effectively forced to remain behind any other driver doing 50 mph or so in a NSL zone (such as in an HGV). An overtake at a speed difference of 10 mph (or less) will simply take too long to be safe let alone feasible in any but a very restricted set of circumstances.
However, those (apparently) are the rules!
The rigid view of the IAM might be so the government doesn't take a dislike to them, considering they're the ones that insist 'speed kills' regardless of situation or any conditions in existence. For the test you need to fit everyone's crap but in reality once you've become a qualified driver you do whatever is necessary to avoid compromising safety. Reg can't really respond given his position, but he does have that video called 'Speed' where he covers the topic as well as he can. If the IAM and Reg had the weight of the finances a fuel company or similar has then I think we'd get a much less compromised view. Unfortunately they don't, so if they want safer driving to be promoted they can't contradict the politics, and saying doing 60.01 mph is OK in an overtake as it shortens the time in the more dangerous position and in certain conditions is necessary to do so isn't OK politically.
@Mark Wright I totally agree with your assessment and I do appreciate the sensitivities. I am rewatching the video on "speed" as it happens. I think it's very good.
It's going to get "interesting" when new cars in the UK have this so called GPS based "Intelligent speed assist" that prevents vehicles from exceeding the speed limit. However, my understanding is that the driver can still override this by additional pressure on the accelerator. Just have to ignore the alarm it sets off till back down to NSL after an overtake
@@ibs5080 I agree and, to be honest, that's the safest way to tackle the challenge (assuming the temporary burst of speed is appropriate to the weather, road layout, road conditions, time of day, traffic patterns, relative performance of the vehicles concerned, skill levels of drivers, safety features of the vehicles etc etc). But technically, condoning a breach of the speed limit would be at the least frowned upon and, at worst, could lead to prosecution. It's frustrating that following the rules actually makes the manoeuvre more dangerous.
Reg great to see you back in the mighty m2 competition again great informative video.
Great video with pragmatic tips on overtaking. It's obvious that sticking exactly to the national speed limit when overtaking isn't always practical. Even though it's illegal to exceed 60mph on these roads, it's safer for everybody if you end up touching 75-80mph if needed. It seems ridiculous that roads like those in this video don't have a higher limit for cars that can do it comfortably. We've all sped before.
I never drive the speed limit on nsl 😂😂 well depends on the conditions ahead etc but most times fun in an mx5 on b roads 60 is enough at times though. Although as I said as reg said previously in his speed video you can have fun and be safe you just need to use common sense, assess don't drive over your limits etc.
👍 another well presented and information video looking forward to next 1 in the series
REG. I personally feel as I age through into my mid 40s I’ve very very little interest to overtake. Because the youth do it so badly and idiots undertake and overtake and weave on dual carriageways I’d simply rather not overtake. Bet I’m in the majority. Not minority.
Would it be acceptable instead just to drive about 2 metres behind the car in front and gesticulate wildly at them to go faster?
And then start lane hogging and only going 45 mph when we get to a dual carriageway
Remember: if you can see the tires and tarmac, you are too far out!
brilliant video yet again :)... those lovely Scottish roads make it look sooo easy! but on "normal" roads, where the distant view is more restricted, how do you work out if there's enough space to get the overtake in safely? Does it work to count? eg., I think it needs 4-5 secs from booting the throttle to being able to safely pull in to the "right" side of the road. This way if I decline an overtake, I can think "I could easily have got that one in" and learn for next time without putting myself at risk. Any thoughts/tips?? (I realise the count you need is car dependent to some degree, but for a "typical" 150 bhp car)
I'll be interested to see Reg's thoughts. The rule of thirds can be helpful. Divide the space ahead to the limit point or oncoming vehicle into 3. You need to get the overtake done (back to your side of the road) in the first third. The distant third is to allow for a vehicle travelling at speed towards you from the limit point. The middle third is your safety margin.
@@mikeroberts I absolutely love this. I've always followed this rule, to account for me doing 60 odd and a motorcyclist appearing at just the wrong moment doing 120...
@@henryrolt3747 yeah where I live there's a few areas on a bridge over a reservoir where I never go for it the amount of bikes that fly across there at easily 140 plus is mad 😂
You can, of course, hone your speed judgement skills with no risk by picking a vehicle coming the other way, guessing the amount of time until you pass and counting the seconds to see how close you are. Gets more difficult as distance/time increases.
Another good one Reg.
Hi Reg - many thanks for your excellent videos. They have brought quite a few changes in my driving methods, and have made me think a lot more about what I do on the road. Do you by any chance have any videos on driving twisting, sometimes mountainous, roads ? I live in the south of France and that kind of road is pretty general where I am. Best regards.
Try this one Ted: th-cam.com/video/iWQl46-Y8Tc/w-d-xo.html
@@RegLocal Thanks for your quick reply, Reg. Will do... 🙂
Thanks Reg excellent information
I like to over take very rare as in this day and age and ideots there's all ways the chaser that hates that you passed them then the over thinker bleeding there horn and believes in there world you dangerous, but i only do it on rare occasions simply because there doing the speed limit and i hate being the 🔔🔚they catch up to as i sit behind slow traffic, but then on the other hand i miss my driver training in the military VIP anti ambush evasive driving police standard and the advanced many years ago, sadly now i have complex Ptsd and frontal lob syndrome and love watching your vids its clear well presented and little flickers in my head going ow yeah remember that 🙈😂😂
Love these videos. I keep coming back to them, even though I have seen them before. Aside from the enjoyment facter, they are packed with so much good information I can usually find something that I missed the first time around.
I do have a question. Roadcraft talks about a three stage approach:
(1) Following Position
(2) Overtaking Position - which is closer than the FP
(3) Overtake
Given the risks of getting closer to the car in front, and assuming my car has the performance, I have always preferred to go from (1) to (3) after the safety checks mentioned in the video. You seem to do the same. Any comments to make on the use of Overtaking Position?
After explaining how to overtake "safely " and seeing an opportunity arising, I've only one word to say to the driver, "GO". He who hesitates, is lost!
Love the videos. Now I acknowledge that I did my IAM advanced test over 25 years ago, but I didn’t hear you mentioning any signalling? Could you comment on when in these particular overtakes a signal would have been useful or appropriate and what your views are on “flashing “ the vehicle in front to indicate (no pun intended) your course of action. Thanks
There was no mention of signalling, and I couldn't hear the indicator going either. So is signalling not now regarded as necessary? I'd be very interested to know
I’ll be making a seperate video about signalling soon.
I was thinking the exact same thing re: signalling (including consideration of a brief warning flash), together with no mention of use of mirrors on each overtake, though granted it WAS mentioned as a general preamble earlier in the video.
Mixed view about signalling i.e. in the sense of signalling if it will benefit someone. If there was someone behind maybe a signal to them as well as mirror and shoulder check before manoeuvre?? Signalling as a warning to the car infront that you are going to overtake them, hmm??
Hi Reg. On the rolling overtake, are you changing down a gear?
Really helpful thank you
Do you flash lights or give other signals before you overtake? I've seen on some videos and other instructors mention this. What's your verdict?
Definitely give a signal. I'm surprised he doesn't mention this. I wouldn't flash the lights though. You might know Ashley Neal, who made a video about overtaking (th-cam.com/video/tZ1kb-N6C3U/w-d-xo.html) where he recommends flashing the lights, and many people in the comments criticized this practice due to its association with 'after you' or aggression.
Ullapool Road... Nice. ❤
Reg, have you accurately timed your two-second following position because it looks much closer to one-second gap to me?
Hey mr reg please do a new style video on anticipation and planning. thanks!
Was that the same blue car ? Like that green Volkswagon Beetle in the film Bullitt !?
Like others here, it took me a while to realise you were overtaking the same car repeatedly. I was curious that you kept overtaking an "identical looking" blue BMW coupe and initially thought it must be sort of BMW club road trip. Plus the fact that so many BMW coupes of that ilk were evidently being driven on the open road at a relatively leasurely pace! I mean, what are the chances of that happening!
where the heck are the m2 competitions coming from and where can i get myself one
Nice job, however if I'd been driving the blue car when you were following I would have wondered what the hell you were doing moving into the center, into the other lane and back, over and over. I would have been confused, or would you have expected me to realize that you were practicing an advanced technique and not assume that you were having a car problem or a seizure?
Hi Reg,
I have a question for you.
You are approaching a school with cars parked on the nearside. A car is about 1 meter from your rear bumper and trying to force an overtake. What is the correct course of action? I moved out so he couldn't overtake and slowed down a bit - I think he got upset!
It’s not a good idea to block anyone from overtaking as it can increase aggression & make the situation more dangerous. Just carry on as normal & leave them to it.
What roads / locations are these Reg?
I have found that there is a growing culture where overtaking is considered rude and insulting. My wife (who drives a fast car) used to get most upset at being passed. I told her that being overtaken was not a personal insult or comment on your choice of speed, it is merely another road user choosing to drive faster than you. This seemed to give her perspective.
In your M2 are you mentioned that you put it into manual mode, are you also in Sports Mode as well when your going for your overtakes?
Every mode is sports mode in the M2!
@@RegLocal I see, never knew, in my BMW there’s Eco, Comfort and Sports so just wondered, never knew an M2 was sports in every mode, nice 👌
God those M2 Competitions are common in Scotland!! 🤣
WOW I thought BMW must be giving these M2’s away, and then the penny dropped.
Hi Reg
Here in Spain we have a type of drivers that accelerate when they are being overtaken
How do you deal with this kind of drivers and situations?
Thank you for your videos
Kind regards
Don't overtake them. you don't wanna put your life at risk for an idiot.
@@mammadtori3964 I do agree
PIT 'em and move on.... helps to have bull bars!
same in the UK ... moving off side at the start to make your intentions clear seems to help - if they speed up, its easy to drop in behind them and you're probably now doing your target speed...
As Richard already covered in their reply, moving out before the accelerating past phase would hopefully trigger those drivers into accelerating soon enough for you to be able to change your mind about overtaking. If they wait until you're alongside then that's where not using the full potential of the car comes in, you'd hopefully have enough left to complete the pass relatively easily, and by that point you have a momentum advantage over them anyway so having committed to overtaking by then shouldn't be an issue. If it's a common enough issue then it's just something to be mindful of when looking for opportunities to overtake, add that potential distance needed to perform the overtake if they do speed up to the space you'll need for the pre-existing situation, make sure you give yourself enough flexibility with the throttle that you can always accelerate more if they do speed up late and on first moving out pay special attention to their speed and if they accelerate and be prepared to pull back in behind at that point if they do.
Am I right in thinking you passed 4 M2 competition cars.
Is that all they drive up there 🤔
Strange place that, init? 😁
Yep you're not wrong
I just think Reg was very persuasive with the BMW M2 owner's club to get all the owners of blue M2 competitions to head up to Scotland for a casual drive. Having said that, the one we see at the end of the video was a bit aggressive, re-overtaking Reg, so maybe not invite them again :)
@@markwright3161 Obviously good natured humour there!
Blue BMW M2 Competitions, they're like buses - you wait hours for one then suddenly they're in infinite supply on the road😂
If only I had a car with enough performance to be able to do this
13:38 It's a different world driving something with
Why do you have to do the national speed limit? What’s wrong with driving below it? After all its a guide not a ‘must drive’ at limit? I think its a ‘man’ thing :)
Bad logic, why should you allow someone else to dictate your speed and progress? if i want to drive at the speed limit, providing the conditions and road are good, then i will.
Time for a change of car John, get something less common
FFS Chill out a bit. I drive a 140. You're too aggresive. you're an accident waiting to happen...
He's never crashed he knows car control nothing wrong. Watch all of his videos this is a good advanced driver in action
What? He's a Police Advanced Driving Instructor and teaches people to masters advanced driving level!