What are the precautions when overtaking?
2 Answers
Precautions when overtaking: 1. Forced overtaking is prohibited. If the vehicle ahead does not yield speed or lane due to certain reasons, forced overtaking is not allowed; 2. When there is insufficient safe distance in front of the vehicle ahead, do not forcibly squeeze in or force the overtaken vehicle to yield; 3. Maintain a smooth overtaking path when overtaking; 4. Change to the left lane in advance before overtaking, and delay returning to the right lane after overtaking, keeping the driving trajectory basically parallel to the vehicle ahead; 5. Always pay attention to maintaining the distance between your vehicle and the overtaken vehicle before, during, and after overtaking; 6. During the overtaking process, if an obstacle is found on the left side and the lateral distance is too small, which may cause a squeeze or scrape, quickly decelerate, abort the overtaking, and wait for another opportunity to overtake. However, use the service brake cautiously to prevent sideslip.
I'm quite cautious about overtaking, having driven for over a decade—safety always comes first. First, check the rearview mirror to ensure no vehicles are approaching quickly from behind; then signal with the turn indicator to alert others, avoiding sudden lane changes. When overtaking, accelerate sufficiently—don’t hesitate—to minimize the risk of prolonged side-by-side driving. On curves or uphill sections with poor visibility, never force an overtake, as it’s prone to accidents. In urban areas, watch out for cyclists and pedestrians—don’t just focus on what’s ahead. Overtaking on highways is riskier due to higher speeds, so I always maintain at least a two-car distance and anticipate potential lane changes by the vehicle ahead. On rainy days with slippery roads, overtake more slowly. Ultimately, overtaking isn’t about speed but about who’s steadier—act only when it’s safe. I often teach these principles to beginners, and anyone can learn them.