In the visible situation, can an overtaking manoeuvre result in the vehicle skidding and cusing a road accident?

In the photo you are driving in winter along a road through a forest in a snowstorm and are just overtaking a lorry with a tarpaulin, whose semi-trailer is right next to you on your right; the roadway is covered with snow and slush, and visibility is limited by the falling snow. Overtaking in such conditions carries a risk of skidding and causing an accident. The answer is: yes.

The Road Traffic Act requires a driver to drive at a speed that ensures control over the vehicle, taking into account the conditions in which traffic is moving, in particular the condition of the road, visibility and the weather conditions; before overtaking you must make sure that you have adequate visibility and enough space, and in conditions of reduced visibility particular caution is required. Overtaking requires accelerating and changing lanes, which are exactly the manoeuvres during which the wheels most easily lose grip on snow; in addition, snow dust rises from behind the lorry and takes away visibility completely for a few seconds. In such conditions it is better to stay behind the lorry, keeping a long following distance, drive smoothly and wait for a cleared, straight section.

Legal basis: Art. 19 para. 1, Art. 24 para. 1 point 1 and Art. 30 para. 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)