Safety margins
Before overtaking a long, slow lorry, why is it helpful to drop back a little first?
- To let the lorry speed up
- To warm up your brakes
- To improve your view of the road aheadCorrect
- To save the lorry driver fuel
Why?
Rule 222 of The Highway Code explains that keeping well back from a large vehicle improves your ability to see and plan ahead. Dropping back before you overtake gives you a clearer view of oncoming traffic and any hazards past the lorry.
Highway Code rule 222