In this situation, can you increase speed immediately after being overtaken?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
NO
Explanation
In the video, a white van overtakes you on the left. During overtaking and immediately afterwards, the driver of the vehicle being overtaken must not increase speed. So the answer is: no - for a moment after the manoeuvre you keep the same speed and let the overtaking driver safely pull in in front of you.
The Road Traffic Act says that the driver of the vehicle being overtaken is prohibited from increasing speed during overtaking and immediately afterwards. Speeding up at that moment would make the overtaking driver's manoeuvre longer and could force them to cut back into the lane sharply or to stay in the opposite lane for longer. A good driver does the opposite: eases off the accelerator slightly to make room.
Legal basis: Art. 24 para. 6 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)