Is Overtaking on the Right Side Allowed?
3 Answers
China's traffic laws explicitly state that "overtaking on the right side" is a traffic violation and strictly prohibited. In mainland China, traffic generally keeps to the right, leaving the left side as the usual space for overtaking. Overtaking on the right can easily lead to collisions with pedestrians and is highly unsafe. Below are relevant details about overtaking: Definition of Overtaking: Overtaking refers to the process where a following vehicle changes lanes to the rear side of the vehicle ahead, passes it, and then returns to 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. Dangers of Improper Overtaking: In regions where traffic keeps to the left, the overtaking lane is the right lane. According to regulations: drivers who overtake on the right side will be penalized with 3 demerit points and a fine of up to 200 RMB. The right side is the blind spot for left-hand drive vehicles, severely limiting visibility. Vehicles being overtaken may not notice the violating vehicle on the right, increasing the risk of collision when changing lanes to the right.
I've been driving for quite some years and have given some thought to overtaking on the right. Simply put, on standard right-hand traffic roads, overtaking should generally be done on the left, and overtaking on the right is technically against the rules. Traffic regulations set this rule for safety reasons because the blind spot on the right is larger, and the angle of the rearview mirror is harder to control, making it easy to miss oncoming traffic from behind. If an accident occurs, it could result in a side collision, which is high-risk. There are exceptions, such as on highways or multi-lane roads when the left lane is blocked and you have to pass on the right, but that's not strictly overtaking—it's just moving through. In daily driving, I've developed the habit of always checking the left rearview mirror and blind spot first, signaling, and ensuring there's enough distance before making a move. Remembering this rule can reduce accidents—after all, safety is more important than saving a few seconds. Always pay attention to changes in intersection rules, as enforcement may vary by region, but the core principle remains the same.
Driving experience tells me that overtaking on the right is absolutely a high-risk maneuver and should be avoided whenever possible. The law usually prohibits right-side overtaking as it's far more dangerous than left-side overtaking, for a simple reason: the driver's seat is on the left, making the right-side visibility poorer. During overtaking, the vehicle's position changes rapidly, making it easy to overlook approaching motorcycles or small cars. In urban traffic jams, it's common to see impatient drivers cutting in from the right, but this is a violation that can result in fines. I recommend developing the instinct for left-side overtaking - first observe the speed difference, signal, then gradually move over while maintaining safe distance, especially exercising extra caution at night or in rainy conditions. Novice drivers tend to panic; they should practice lane changes on empty roads to build confidence gradually. Overtaking isn't a race - smoothness comes first. On well-designed multi-lane roads, left-side overtaking is the safest approach.
