From Which Direction Should a Vehicle Overtake?
2 Answers
Vehicles should overtake from the left side. In regions where traffic keeps to the right, the overtaking lane is the leftmost lane; in regions where traffic keeps to the left, the overtaking lane is the rightmost lane. According to regulations: overtaking from the right while driving a motor vehicle results in a 3-point penalty and a fine. The right side is the blind spot for left-hand drive vehicles, with severely limited visibility, making it difficult for the overtaken vehicle to detect the violating vehicle on the right, increasing the risk of collision when changing lanes to the right. Overtaking refers to the process where the following vehicle merges into the rear side of the leading vehicle, passes it, and then merges back into the original lane. The lane typically used for overtaking is the inner lane, which is closer to the center of the road and farther from the shoulder.
When it comes to overtaking direction, I've always remembered to overtake from the left side throughout my years of driving, as it's a fundamental safety principle. The blind spots of vehicles on the road are mainly on the right side. If you overtake from the right, the driver behind may not see you, leading to serious rear-end or side collisions. I've encountered several close calls on the highway precisely because some people recklessly overtook from the right, nearly causing accidents. Make it a habit: check the rearview mirror before overtaking, turn on the indicator, confirm a safe distance, and then accelerate to pass. Remember not to overtake on curves or intersections, where the risks are greater. Safety first—following the rules ensures peace of mind for every driver on the road.
