Since 2021, the DGT eliminated from our roads the possibility of exceeding the maximum limit of a road by 20 km/h in order to overtake on one of the secondary roads. According to Traffic, this decision was made after seeing the high accident rate that occurs on secondary roads of this type and because the possibility of exceeding the speed limit did not exist in any other European country. In any case, the DGT itself has once again warned of situations on the road where it is totally forbidden to overtake.
We must not overtake at certain times
And it is that yes; overtaking continues to raise many doubts among drivers. So the DGT has wanted to insist again that there are moments on the road in which we must not overtake under no circumstance.
Because one of the most common causes of traffic accidents is overtaking suddenly at the least opportune moment and from the wrong place. As a driver, we are part of the mobility of the city or the highway and, as such, we have the responsibility of knowing and complying with traffic regulations.
One of those rules, as the General Directorate of Traffic itself rescues us, is that we have (and must) be very careful when and when we can and not overtake at certain points when we are on the road. Otherwise, if we do it wrong, the fine can be more than important.
The DGT warns that it is a very dangerous behavior
In fact, we must bear in mind that if we drive at 120 kilometers per hour, we will cover 34 meters in a second. This means that, in just three seconds, although it seems like an insignificant amount of time, we cover the distance equivalent to a football team without looking at the road. Therefore, it is a very dangerous behavior.
This, above all, knowing that in 2022 there were a total of 1,145 fatalities on our roads, 14% more than the previous year. That is why the DGT remembers something that drivers can forget over time: there are points on the road network where overtaking is prohibited, yes or yes, apart from the lines on the road and even if there is no traffic sign that requires it. It is true that some sections of roads have the corresponding signs that prohibit overtaking, but this is not always the case. Nor do all roads have the continuous line to divide the lanes. This is how he warned:
- Curves or elevation changes without visibility.
- Level crossings.
- Behind an overtaking truck.
- Intersections and proximities.
- Crosswalks.
- tunnels.
Serious offenses are considered
As a general rule, and as long as you are not going to carry out manoeuvres, you should always drive in the right lane, keeping the proper distance from the rest of the vehicles that are occupying the road at that moment. The use of other lanes other than the right lane may be penalized, as long as it is available for circulation, because according to the General Traffic Regulations this action will be penalized with fines of 200 euros, considering himself as Serious offense.
When we find ourselves driving on urban roads, we will have to use the most convenient lane depending on our destination. In other words, if we are driving within a town and we find more than one lane for our direction, we can choose the one that best suits our needs.