Should Lane Changes Be Done Slowly or Quickly?
3 Answers
The speed of lane changes should be determined based on actual road conditions. When traffic ahead is moving normally, a quick lane change is necessary. Precautions for lane changing: When merging from an acceleration lane into a travel lane, pay attention to the traffic conditions in the travel lane. Merge behind normally moving vehicles when traffic is sparse. If a vehicle is following closely behind, control your speed and merge into the travel lane only after all vehicles have passed. Do not abruptly cut in between vehicles. Always signal your intention to change lanes in advance. Turn on the left turn signal when preparing to turn left, change lanes to the left, overtake, leave a parking spot, or make a U-turn. Turn on the right turn signal when preparing to turn right, change lanes to the right, return to the original lane after overtaking, or pull over to the roadside. Penalties for illegal lane changes: Driving a motor vehicle on a highway or urban expressway without following the designated lane rules will result in a 3-point penalty. When encountering slow-moving or stopped traffic ahead, illegally overtaking by using the opposite lane or cutting in line will result in a 2-point penalty.
From a safe driving perspective, I recommend changing lanes smoothly yet decisively. Check your mirrors and blind spots in advance, signal for at least 3 seconds before initiating the turn. On urban expressways where speeds are higher, aim to complete lane changes within 2-3 seconds to avoid lingering between lanes. In heavy traffic, be more decisive but never jerk the steering wheel suddenly. I've witnessed numerous rear-end collisions caused by overly slow lane changes, as well as side impacts from abrupt maneuvers. The safest approach is ensuring sufficient space in the target lane, merging naturally at a slightly higher speed than trailing vehicles while being mindful of large trucks' blind spots. Remember, hesitation is more dangerous than prompt action.
Based on my driving experience, the speed of lane changing depends on road conditions. When there are few cars on the highway, it's safest to complete the lane change within 3 seconds after decisively signaling, which reduces the risk of being rear-ended. However, in slow-moving traffic, you need to coordinate with the rhythm of the car in front and merge in slowly, leaving a buffer space of half a car length. Extra caution is needed in rainy weather, and it's best to extend the lane-changing time to prevent skidding. A common mistake made by beginners is braking during a lane change, but in fact, you should maintain a steady speed or slightly accelerate. Observing the size change of the car in the rearview mirror can help judge the distance: when the rear car fills the mirror, the distance is about 5 meters; when it occupies half the mirror, it's about 10 meters. This reference value is very useful.
