From which direction should you overtake?
2 Answers
Overtaking should be done from the left side, except in special regions like Hong Kong. Generally, vehicles are left-hand drive. The correct steps for overtaking are as follows: 1. Before overtaking, observe the rear vehicles and road conditions through the rearview mirror. Choose a time when visibility is good, the road is straight, and there are no vehicles within 150 meters ahead. 2. After confirming that the surrounding conditions are suitable for overtaking, turn on the left turn signal and honk the horn to indicate your intention. At night, if honking is not allowed, use alternating high beams instead. 3. Once the vehicle ahead signals to yield, slightly steer to the left and maintain a certain lateral distance from the vehicle being overtaken. 4. Then, shift down one gear, press the accelerator deeply to increase speed, and overtake from the left side of the vehicle being overtaken, minimizing the time the two vehicles are side by side. 5. After overtaking, maintain the speed for a while, observe the following vehicles through the rearview mirror, and after confirming safety, turn on the right turn signal and return to the original lane.
I've been driving for almost twenty years and often teach beginner friends some basic rules on the road. Overtaking should only be done from the left, which is a nearly universal rule, especially in China since we drive on the right. Passing on the left ensures you avoid the oncoming lane, and in case of approaching traffic, you can react promptly to prevent a head-on collision. Overtaking from the right increases the driver's blind spots and raises the risk of hitting roadside obstacles or pedestrians. I've seen many accidents on highways that started this way. Don’t rush when driving—safety comes first. It’s better to go a bit slower than to overtake recklessly. Developing good habits can save you a lot of trouble.
