Are you allowed to increase speed while being overtaken by another vehicle?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
NO
Explanation
In the photo we are driving a tram on tracks in the roadway, and in front of the tram a car is driving onto the tracks. When another vehicle is overtaking you, you are not allowed to increase your speed - the answer is NO.
The Road Traffic Act prohibits the driver of a vehicle being overtaken from increasing speed during the overtaking and immediately after it. Speeding up makes the manoeuvre longer and may force the overtaking driver to cut in sharply. Here the car is finishing overtaking and moving in front of the tram, so instead of speeding up, you keep your following distance and are ready to brake. If the overtaking driver pulls in too close in front of the tram, it is better to slow down gently than to risk a collision. A tram cannot move to the side, so it is the tram driver who must leave others a safety margin.
Legal basis: Art. 24 para. 6 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)