How many seconds after turning on the turn signal can you overtake?
2 Answers
You should wait for 3 seconds after turning on the turn signal before overtaking, because the earliest reaction time for the vehicle in front to notice is generally within three seconds after the turn signal is activated. Here are some precautions for overtaking: Grasp the right moment to overtake: Timing is crucial when overtaking, especially when driving on urban roads with heavy traffic. It's safer to choose moments with fewer vehicles around and better road conditions. Remember to use turn signals: Some drivers tend to skip using turn signals when overtaking, which is very dangerous. Always first turn on the left turn signal to alert the vehicle behind of your intention to overtake, then quickly switch to the right turn signal after overtaking to return to the normal lane.
During the driving test, the instructor repeatedly emphasized that you must signal at least 3 seconds before overtaking—enough time to silently count to three. In actual practice, I often signal 5 seconds early, especially on highways—after checking the rearview mirror to ensure no car is approaching from behind, I flick the turn signal lever with my left hand in advance to give the driver behind enough reaction time. Once, in a hurry to overtake a truck on a rainy day, I changed lanes immediately after signaling, causing the car behind to slam on the brakes and honk furiously. Now, before overtaking, I always watch the dashboard countdown, making sure my speed is sufficient and the distance is safe before steering. Remember, those 3 seconds aren’t rigid; in heavy traffic, you need to signal even earlier as a warning.
