Can you overtake from the right side when driving a motor vehicle?

[McBryce]

Overtaking from the right side is not allowed. Here are the relevant regulations: 1. Traffic laws stipulate: When overtaking, motor vehicles should turn on the left turn signal in advance, switch between high and low beams, or sound the horn. 2. On roads without a center line or with only one motor vehicle lane in the same direction, when the leading vehicle receives an overtaking signal from the following vehicle, it should reduce speed and move to the right to give way if conditions permit. The following vehicle should overtake from the left side of the leading vehicle after confirming a sufficient safe distance, and then turn on the right turn signal to return to the original lane after maintaining a necessary safe distance from the overtaken vehicle. 3. However, if there are two or more motor vehicle lanes in the same direction, a vehicle traveling in the right lane may overtake a vehicle in the left lane.

[CharlesFitz]

Recently, while on a road trip with friends, we talked about this issue. After driving for over a decade, I've never dared to overtake on the right. Traffic regulations clearly state that overtaking on the right is prohibited, which can result in a 3-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine. Just the other day, I saw news about someone who scraped an electric bike while overtaking on the right and had to pay several thousand in compensation. The most dangerous part is that the blind spot on the right side of a large truck is bigger than a football field. Once on the highway, I saw a car overtaking a truck from the right and almost getting squeezed into the guardrail. If you're really in a hurry, it's safer to turn on your hazard lights and honk to alert the car in front, or find a service area to take a break. After all, no matter how urgent it is, you shouldn't gamble with your life.

[BarrettDella]

When I first got my driver's license, I also made some mistakes. Once on a provincial highway, the car in front was crawling, and the left lane had a long queue. I almost overtook from the right side. Fortunately, the experienced driver in the passenger seat stopped me, saying the right side is either an emergency lane or a non-motorized lane, and overtaking there could easily hit pedestrians. Later, with more experience, I found that when encountering a slow-moving car ahead, getting closer and flashing the headlights twice is much more effective than overtaking from the right. Now, I still have a 'new driver' sticker on the roof to remind myself: overtaking should only be done from the left, as the right side is the deadly blind spot for large trucks.

[StFernando]

Never overtake on the right side—it's as dangerous as running a red light. During the driving test (Subject 3), instructors repeatedly emphasize that overtaking must be done from the left. Drivers usually pay more attention to the left-side rearview mirror, so if you suddenly appear from the right, they might not notice at all. Last year, my neighbor Uncle Wang crashed into a sanitation truck while overtaking on the right. Not only was his car totaled, but he also had to pay 60,000 yuan in medical compensation. If the car in front is slow, either patiently follow behind or wait for a safe opportunity on the left with your turn signal on. Driving isn't about who's faster; the real winner is the one who gets home safely.

[ColtonDella]

Last week, my cousin paid a heavy price for overtaking on the right side on the national highway. He couldn't wait as the tanker truck in front was driving at 40 km/h. Just as he stuck out half of his car's front from the right, a dog suddenly dashed out from the roadside. He swerved sharply and scraped against the guardrail. Not only were the headlights completely shattered, but the bumper was also deformed. The mechanic said he was lucky—if he had collided with an oncoming vehicle, he could have lost his life. Now, he has a note stuck on his car that reads: Keep the right lane for non-motorized vehicles; overtake on the left. Cultivating a small habit can save lives.