Under what circumstances is overtaking prohibited when driving a motor vehicle in urban areas?
2 Answers
Road sections with heavy traffic flow. Article 43 of the Road Traffic Safety Law: When motor vehicles are driving in the same lane, the following vehicle shall maintain a safe distance from the preceding vehicle sufficient to take emergency braking measures. Overtaking is prohibited under any of the following circumstances: 1. The preceding vehicle is making a left turn, turning around, or overtaking. 2. There is a possibility of meeting an oncoming vehicle. 3. The preceding vehicle is a police car, fire truck, ambulance, or engineering rescue vehicle performing emergency tasks. 4. Passing through railway crossings, intersections, narrow bridges, curves, steep slopes, tunnels, pedestrian crossings, or road sections in urban areas with heavy traffic flow where overtaking conditions are not met.
When driving in the city, overtaking requires careful consideration of location and timing. For instance, never overtake near zebra crossings as pedestrians may suddenly appear, posing significant danger. At intersections where traffic lights change quickly, overtaking can disrupt traffic flow and increase accident risks. Areas like school zones or near hospitals have lower speed limits; overtaking there may lead to rear-end collisions or fines. Additionally, overtaking on double solid lines is strictly prohibited by law and can result in penalty points and fines if caught. Avoid overtaking when buses are stopped at stations, as passengers boarding or alighting create large blind spots, increasing collision risks. In summary, urban driving demands caution—always observe thoroughly and ensure clear visibility with no obstacles before overtaking.
