When you initiate overtaking a vehicle ahead of you, you should keep the distance between your vehicle and the one you are about to overtake as short as possible.

When you initiate overtaking a vehicle ahead of you, you should keep the distance between your vehicle and the one you are about to overtake as short as possible.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends on vehicle

Answer: (B)

You should not keep the distance as short as possible when overtaking. Safe overtaking needs a clear, safe gap to complete the maneuver. If you stay very close to the vehicle you’re passing, any sudden braking, a slower-than-expected acceleration, or an error by the other driver can leave you with insufficient time to react or to move back into your lane safely. A proper distance gives you room to accelerate to pass, check for oncoming traffic, and re-enter the lane without forcing the other driver or creating a hazard. Only start and finish the pass when you have a safe, sufficient margin to clear the vehicle and return to your lane at a comfortable distance behind it.

You should not keep the distance as short as possible when overtaking. Safe overtaking needs a clear, safe gap to complete the maneuver. If you stay very close to the vehicle you’re passing, any sudden braking, a slower-than-expected acceleration, or an error by the other driver can leave you with insufficient time to react or to move back into your lane safely. A proper distance gives you room to accelerate to pass, check for oncoming traffic, and re-enter the lane without forcing the other driver or creating a hazard. Only start and finish the pass when you have a safe, sufficient margin to clear the vehicle and return to your lane at a comfortable distance behind it.