Must Overtaking Only Be Done from the Left Side?
2 Answers
Overtaking must be done from the left side; otherwise, it constitutes a traffic violation and will be subject to relevant penalties. Definition of Overtaking: Overtaking refers to the process where a following vehicle changes lanes to the rear side of the preceding vehicle, 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: The right side is a blind spot for left-hand drive vehicles, with severely limited visibility. The vehicle being overtaken may not notice the violating vehicle on the right side, increasing the risk of collision when changing lanes to the right. According to regulations, overtaking from the right side in a motor vehicle results in a 3-point penalty and a fine of up to 200 yuan.
Having driven for 20 years, I often encounter overtaking situations on highways. The general rule is to overtake only from the left, because in right-hand traffic countries, the driver's seat is on the left, and overtaking from the right creates a huge blind spot, making it easy to overlook vehicles behind and cause accidents. I strictly adhere to this principle—when overtaking from the left, I signal first to ensure safety before accelerating past. However, there are exceptions, such as on a three-lane highway. If the left lane is congested while the right lane is empty and the car ahead is moving slowly, I may cautiously overtake from the right, but only after ensuring there are no motorcyclists or small obstacles. In reality, overtaking from the right is illegal and high-risk. I’ve seen inexperienced drivers attempt it and cause rear-end collisions. Safety comes first—following the rules saves trouble and keeps things simple.
