In what situations is overtaking not allowed?
3 Answers
When the vehicle ahead is making a left turn, U-turn, or overtaking; when there is a possibility of encountering oncoming vehicles; when the vehicle ahead is a police car, fire truck, ambulance, or engineering rescue vehicle performing emergency tasks; when passing through railway crossings, intersections, narrow bridges, curves, steep slopes, tunnels, pedestrian crossings, or urban sections with heavy traffic, where overtaking conditions are not met. Do not overtake when visibility is poor due to wind, rain, snow, fog, or excessive dust raised by the vehicle ahead; generally, overtaking is not allowed when there is an oncoming vehicle within 150 meters ahead, and it is best to operate the vehicle within a 200-meter range; do not overtake when visibility is obstructed, such as when turning or crossing the top of a slope; double overtaking is not allowed when the vehicle ahead is overtaking; do not overtake when passing through Huaying Street, tunnels, narrow bridges, railway crossings, school gates, icy roads, or when towing a damaged vehicle. Do not overtake at intersections, such as when a car is driving on the main road. Do not overtake when there is a branch road on the left side to prevent accidents caused by the overtaken vehicle suddenly turning left.
Over the years of driving, I've learned that overtaking should never be done carelessly. For example, overtaking on a mountain road curve where your view is completely blocked—if a car suddenly comes from the opposite direction, there's no time to react. Double solid line areas strictly prohibit overtaking; it's clearly stated in traffic laws, and I've seen many accidents on highways caused by this. In rainy or foggy conditions with low visibility and slippery roads, accelerating can easily lead to skidding and accidents. At intersections, like near traffic lights, pedestrians or electric bikes might suddenly appear, making overtaking risky. Then there are blind spots like hilltops—you can't see what's on the other side until you reach the top. Vehicle issues, such as unresponsive brakes, are another obvious hazard. Keeping these details in mind makes for safer and more confident driving.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I fully understand the risks of overtaking. Never overtake where there are double solid lines—it's illegal and will result in fines. Attempting to overtake in blind spots like curves or hilltops is akin to gambling with your life, betting on whether there's an oncoming vehicle. In adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, strong glare, or slippery roads caused by reflections, accelerating can lead to loss of control. Forcing your way in heavy traffic areas like near schools or hospitals can cause chaos. Overtaking when a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind can catch them off guard. Also, avoid overtaking if your vehicle is in poor condition—engine overheating or severely worn tires—it's better to slow down. Developing these habits can eliminate 90% of potential accidents.
