How to Overtake on Mountain Roads?

[JohnnyLee]

When driving on mountain roads, overtaking should be avoided as much as possible. If overtaking is necessary, choose a gentle uphill section with a wide road surface, turn on the left turn signal, honk the horn in advance, and overtake only after confirming that the vehicle ahead has yielded.

[LeMiranda]

When overtaking on mountain roads, you really need to be careful! Here's what I learned from my last trip on National Highway 318: First, check if the section allows overtaking—don't force it if there's a solid yellow line on sharp bends. The best spot is a long straight slope with clear visibility to see if there are oncoming vehicles. Never overtake on blind curves—that's practically playing with your life! Remember to signal left for at least two seconds and honk twice to alert the car ahead. When accelerating, make sure there are no vehicles behind you, then floor the throttle and overtake quickly—don't drag it out. After overtaking, check your rearview mirror to confirm you've fully passed, leaving at least 50 meters before merging back. Also, watch for falling rock warning signs on mountain roads—sometimes sudden rockfalls are the real danger. Oh, and avoid overtaking at night in the mountains—visibility is just too poor.

[DelSebastian]

The most crucial preparatory action for overtaking on mountain roads is identifying the right position and timing. I specifically consulted experienced truck drivers who frequently navigate these routes: Before overtaking, increase your speed to match the vehicle ahead, avoiding getting too close to prevent accidents. The ideal position is the straight section at the top of an uphill slope, as it offers the best visibility to see the opposite lane clearly. Ensure there are no oncoming vehicles within at least 200 meters before making your move. During overtaking, it's best to downshift and step on the accelerator to pass quickly—this is especially important for manual transmissions to ensure sufficient power. The entire process should be swift and decisive; hesitation is dangerous, and staying parallel for more than three seconds significantly increases risk. After successfully merging back into the lane, avoid braking immediately to prevent rear-end collisions. One more critical reminder: never attempt overtaking in the mountains during rain, as slippery conditions greatly increase the risk of losing control.

[MacJaxon]

Overtaking in mountainous areas is not a task to be taken lightly. The primary consideration is road condition assessment—never attempt to overtake on continuous curves or steep slopes. Choose sections of the road with clear overtaking visibility. Before starting, ensure there are no hidden vehicles in the blind spots of your mirrors, and honk the horn or flash your headlights twice to alert the vehicle ahead. During overtaking, apply sufficient throttle without holding back, aiming to accelerate to at least 15km/h faster than the vehicle you're passing. If an oncoming vehicle suddenly appears, immediately decelerate and return to your original lane. After overtaking, don’t rush to merge back; wait until you can fully see the overtaken vehicle in your rearview mirror. Remember to keep a reflective vest and warning triangle in your car for emergencies.