Overtaking and overtaken: obligations

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The duties of the driver overtaking and of the one being overtaken: distances, signalling and returning to the right lane.

Cover, Overtaking and overtaken: obligations

Lesson objectives

Understand the obligations of the overtaken driver: move to the right and do not accelerate Know the obligations of the overtaking driver: maintain speed and facilitate overtaking Apply the rules of courtesy and safety during mutual overtaking

The overtaken driver: strict obligations

When a vehicle overtakes you on the left, you have precise obligations. The Belgian Highway Code requires the overtaken driver to drive very clearly: move to the right as much as possible and do not accelerate . These two actions are inseparable. They facilitate overtaking and ensure the safety of all.

Article 16.7 of the Highway Code: "Any driver who is about to be overtaken on the left must move to the right as much as possible and cannot accelerate ." Pay attention to the reference: article 16.8 is repealed . It is indeed 16.7 that carries this obligation. The prohibition on accelerating is absolute: even if you are driving below the speed limit, you have no right to accelerate while being overtaken.

Overtaken driver: move to the right without accelerating

Overtaken driver

Driver who is about to be overtaken on the left. Article 16.7 imposes two obligations on him, and only two: move to the right as much as possible and do not accelerate . Nothing requires him to brake or move onto the shoulder.

The overtaking driver: mutual obligations

The Code does not require the overtaking driver to "maintain speed": it requires something else of him. Article 16.5 requires him to move as far as necessary from the driver being overtaken, and authorizes him, if the width of the road does not allow easy overtaking, to use the level shoulder or lateral strip , provided he does not endanger users found there. Article 16.6 then requires him to return to the right as soon as he can do so without inconvenience , after indicating his intention with the turn signal. And article 10.2 prohibits him, like any driver, from sudden braking not required by safety reasons .

When you are being overtaken, your role comes down to two actions: move to the right and do not accelerate (art. 16.7). Stay predictable, no acceleration, no sudden braking (which article 10.2 prohibits anyway without safety reason), no swerve to the left. Note the asymmetry: the Code prohibits you from accelerating, but does not require you to slow down. Slowing down to help is never a fault if done gradually; accelerating always is.

Overtaking driver

Driver performing the overtaking. His obligations: the four preliminary checks and the turn signal (art. 16.4), sufficient lateral clearance (art. 16.5), and return to the right as soon as possible without inconvenience, turn signal engaged (art. 16.6).

Concrete situations: what to do and what not to do

You are being overtaken: good driving

Situation: You are driving at 80 km/h on an ordinary road. A vehicle catches up with you and moves to the left to overtake you. What to do: Move to the right as much as possible Maintain 80 km/h (do not accelerate to 90 km/h ) Keep a stable and predictable trajectory What not to do: Accelerate to "block" the overtaking Brake suddenly Move to the left

Safe overtaking: cooperation between drivers

You are being overtaken: poor driving

Situation: You are driving at 80 km/h . A vehicle is overtaking you on the left. Error 1: Accelerating You speed up to 95 km/h to "block" the overtaking The overtaking driver must brake or merge dangerously Risk of collision Infraction: prohibition to accelerate Error 2: Braking suddenly You brake to 60 km/h suddenly The overtaking driver finds themselves too close Risk of rear-end collision

Special cases: cycle lanes and built-up areas

Cycle lane (art. 22novies): motor vehicles have access to it, but they cannot overtake cyclists , regardless of their speed. The cyclist can use the full width of the roadway when it is open only in their direction of travel, and the right half when it is two-way. The speed never exceeds 30 km/h . Speed pedelec drivers are treated as cyclists. Lateral distance (art. 40ter): when overtaking a cyclist or two-wheeled moped, leave at least 1 metre in built-up areas and at least 1.50 m outside built-up areas. If you cannot maintain this distance, you do not overtake.

Cycle lane

Area where the cyclist can use the full width of the roadway in one direction, or the right half if it is two-way (art. 22novies). Motor vehicles are permitted but cannot overtake cyclists , and the maximum speed is 30 km/h . Speed pedelec drivers are treated as cyclists.

Courtesy and safety: the key to overtaking

One last rule to mention, often forgotten and regularly asked: overtaking rail vehicles that use the roadway is done on the right (art. 16.9), whether they are moving or stopped for passenger boarding or alighting . Overtaking on the left is permitted only in three cases: if the right is impassable due to the narrowness of the passage , the presence of a stationary or parked vehicle or any other fixed obstacle , and provided you do not hinder or endanger users coming in the opposite direction; or on a one-way roadway , when traffic conditions justify it.

For the overtaken driver: Your role is passive but crucial. By keeping to the right and maintaining your speed, you give the overtaking driver the space and time needed to perform their manoeuvre safely. For the overtaking driver: Respect the overtaken driver. Do not force them to brake or swerve. Perform your overtaking quickly and smoothly.

Summary of key points

Overtaken driver (art. 16.7): keep to the right as much as possible and do not accelerate . Overtaking driver : move out as much as necessary, if needed by using the level shoulder or lateral strip without endangering those there (art. 16.5); return to the right as soon as possible , with indicator on (art. 16.6) Sudden braking not required by safety: prohibited for all (art. 10.2) Rail vehicles : overtaking on the right , whether moving or stopped for passengers; on the left only if the right is impassable, or on a one-way roadway (art. 16.9) Cycle lane : overtaking cyclists prohibited , 30 km/h maximum (art. 22novies) Lateral distance to cyclist : 1 m in built-up areas, 1.50 m outside built-up areas (art. 40ter)

Congratulations!

First take the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practise on the exam simulator and multiple choice questions . You have completed this entire course. Congratulations, time for practice!

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