Speed limit when overtaking? Teach me please.

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Speed limit when overtaking? Teach me please.

nakedmolerat

4631 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 874

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#154307 23-Oct-2014 21:07

To everyone who know their road codes/law.

I was driving along straight road, 100 km/hr speed limit. Car in front was at 80 km/hr. I decided to overtake (not passing). I indicate, revved my diesel and after I was about to go back to my lane, a car coming towards me gave high beam a few times. Then I quickly checked if it's safe to change lane - it was. Then I realized that the oncoming car is actually police car. He indicate to me to stop when I passed him.

I did stop. I was told that my overtaking speed is too fast - 127. I said to him that I was overtaking which he then replied that 'It was still too fast and I need to go with the flow'.

I don't understand what that means? I also don't understand how I'm supposed to overtake if I can't go fast.

1. Can someone point to me what are the actual limit when you overtake?

2. Explain what that police officer meant.

3. How to overtake safely if you can't go fast? I always revved and slow down once I change back to my lane. It's common to see the speed goes up to 130km/hr.

This is a filtered page: currently showing replies marked as answers. Click here to see full discussion.

coffeebaron

6304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3567

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1161034 23-Oct-2014 22:04

He probably only broke the speed limit due to the 80km guy speeding up to 100km at the passing opportunity :(

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

MikeAqua

8031 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3820

#1167525 3-Nov-2014 12:18

[deleted the part has already been answered]

In practice it's very difficult to overtake legally because passing lanes and straights are short, slow vehicles speed up at both, slow vehicle don't often pull over and police don't often ticket slow drivers who fail to pull over.

What the law should allow and is the logical way to overtake, is:
- Shift into a lower gear,
- Give it some 'effing jandal'
- Overtake as quickly as the conditions allow, keeping below a ceiling of say 130.

Unfortunately this is illegal and not tolerated so I never-ever-ever do it that way. Back when it was tolerated a dozen cars could get past a slow vehicle on one medium length passing lane.

Addition: I driven >20,00km/year and have done so for about 20 years. I have only once seen a driver pulled over for holding up traffic. And that was an extreme case.

Mike