Do You Need to Look Both Ways When Overtaking?

[DiMarcus]

Just look to the left, as overtaking is done from the left side. Here are some precautions for overtaking: 1. Avoid forced overtaking: If the vehicle ahead does not yield speed or space due to certain reasons, do not force an overtake; when there is insufficient safe distance ahead of the vehicle in front, do not squeeze in or force the overtaken vehicle to yield. 2. Maintain a smooth overtaking path: Before overtaking, move into the left lane (or overtaking lane) in advance, and delay returning to the right lane after overtaking, keeping the driving path basically parallel to the vehicle ahead. 3. Keep a safe distance: Always pay attention to maintaining a safe distance from the overtaken vehicle before, during, and after overtaking.

[VanCassidy]

When overtaking, checking left and right is absolutely essential. Having driven for over ten years, I always strictly adhere to this habit. Before overtaking, I first check the left and right rearview mirrors to confirm the traffic behind, then quickly turn my head to scan the blind spots—small cars or motorcycles in the blind spots are the easiest to overlook. Once on the highway, I didn’t check the right side before overtaking, and a small car suddenly cut in from the right lane, nearly causing a rear-end collision. It scared me so much my hands were shaking. Since then, I’ve developed a standardized routine: signal with the turn light, check the mirrors, turn my head to confirm, and then accelerate to overtake. At such high speeds, even a small oversight can be fatal, and traffic regulations also emphasize the need to ensure a clear line of sight. Spending an extra second to check can prevent an accident—safe driving is built on these accumulated details. When driving normally, I also remind my friends not to skip checking left and right—it’s like a protective barrier. Remember, overtaking isn’t just about accelerating; it’s a critical part of maintaining situational awareness throughout the process.

[KiraAnn]

As an average driver, I remember my instructor emphasizing checking both sides when overtaking. Now every time I need to pass another vehicle, I instinctively check the rearview mirror to observe traffic behind me, but I must also turn my head to inspect blind spots on both sides since mirrors can't cover all angles – small vehicles in adjacent lanes are easily missed. Once on an urban expressway, I almost overlooked a motorcycle approaching from the right while focusing solely on accelerating ahead, but fortunately braked in time. Safe driving isn't about luck; checking left and right helps detect danger signals early. When overtaking at higher speeds, lane changes become riskier – that simple head-turning motion may seem trivial but actually prevents 90% of potential accidents. Once it becomes habitual, overtaking flows more smoothly. I recommend practicing this routinely to reduce stress.

[DelClara]

Having spent many years in the long-distance transportation industry, I understand that overtaking without checking both sides is a major taboo. On highways with heavy traffic and high speeds, experience has taught me: glance left at the mirror, turn right to check blind spots—never skip these steps. Once on a national highway, a driver focused solely ahead while overtaking without turning his head, and a car in the right blind spot squeezed into the lane, nearly causing a sideswipe. Since then, I always turn my head when overtaking—blind spot checks have become muscle memory. At higher speeds, blind spot risks multiply; an extra glance brings extra peace of mind. Safe driving means staying grounded and ensuring security.