Speeding while overtaking. Legal?

MrPudding

I think that speeding when overtaking is one of those questions you will never get agreement on. The simple fact of the matter is it is illegal. That is a fact and cannot be disputed. However, it does seem that the gardai or police in other jurisdictions do have some discretion in the matter.

This is not something you will generally see written down, but seems to be the case anecdotally. That said, when the SPECS cameras were launched outside Newry a police spokeswoman said something like “… this system will allow drivers to break the speed limit temporarily to safely overtake, but they will not receive a penalty as long as their average speed stays below the limit…” I have tried to find the quote, but I am afraid Google has let me down, I think I did post it at the time.

When I did my advanced bike test in my pre test briefing the examiner, a bike cop, told me that during any overtakes he would “….be looking at the road ahead and not my speedo, but don’t take the p1ss.” This has also been the experience of most of my mates that have done it also. But then to counter that one of the examiners, part of the safety camera partnership in the area, was famous for having zero tolerance.

I appreciate that these two example are from outside Ireland, but I think that there are plenty of people on this board could give examples of similar experiences with the Gardai.

MrP

MrPudding

stevec wrote: »

LOL... probably true.:D

I like to make progress myself, but I dispise tailgaters. They are scum.

MrP

BrianD3

I often break the speed limit when overtaking. A few months ago I overtook an unmarked car doing about 80 in a 100, kept within the limit for that one though.

Recently I saw an unmarked car escorting two Irish explosives trucks on the N4, some eejit came up behind and overtook the cops and the two trucks over hatch markings and at a major junction and over the speed limit. Cops did nothing but then again they were obviously assigned to escort duty rather than traffic duty.

Sometimes they use a marked car for these escorts and most drivers are sh1t scared to overtake even on the dual carriageway where there should be no problem overtaking and keeping within the limit. So a big queue builds up behind the convoy.

Steve

MrPudding wrote: »

I like to make progress myself, but I dispise tailgaters. They are scum.

MrP

If you're making progress then it's unlikely that you'll have a line of frustrated tailgaters behind you:)

I was lolling at picture of the slow guy having a private rant about the line of traffic behind him, oblivious to the fact that he is the cause.


Back on topic, you are right that any 'decent' Guard will see that briefly exceeding the speed limit (sorry, I can't use the term speeding in this case) in order to minimise time on the wrong side of the road is a good and safe way to overtake.

On the other hand, yes, it is technically illegal and you risk being caught by a fixed camera that doesn't really know anything about road safety.

MrPudding

stevec wrote: »

If you're making progress then it's unlikely that you'll have a line of frustrated tailgaters behind you:)

You would think..... but unfortunately not always the case....

MrP